Political Desk

Three seek chance to challenge Wu
By DAVID BATES

Of the News-Register

Two Republicans and a Democrat have filed to run in the May primary in the First Congressional District, seeking the seat held by Democrat David Wu since 1998.

Staking his claim to the left of Wu is Aloha Democrat Mark Welyczko, a security businessman who has also worked as a mortgage loan officer and real estate salesman. He calls for the impeachment of Vice President Dick Cheney, an immediate end to American military presence in Iraq, and a universal, single-payer, not-for-profit health-care system.

On the Republican side, the prospective candidates are Joel Haugen, a small business owner from the Columbia County community of Scappoose, and Stephan Brodhead, a Hillsboro real estate investor.

Haugen runs a geographic information business. He previously served as a contractor with the Bonneville Power Administration.

He holds two degrees, a bachelor’s and a master’s, in geography. His previous governmental experience consists of stints on several advisory bodies in Columbia County, including a planning commission.

Brodhead’s background is in engineering. A former Boeing engineer, he has studied flight engineering, aviation operations and industrial science.

Neither Welyczko nor Brodhead lists any previous public service. Neither Haugen nor Brodhead has yet submitted the petitions necessary to formally qualify for the ballot.

Wu hasn’t filed for re-election yet, but plans to, according to Jillian Schoene, a spokesperson in his Oregon office.