Esteemed Governor John Kitzhaber just sent out an announcement saying he will declare a special election to replace Congressman David Wu, with time for a primary.

All spelled out earlier today, the governor is responsible for setting the deadline for an election to replace a congressional representative who leaves their seat early. But if he called for an election within 80 days of the resignation, the candidates would be chosen by a party convention rather than an open primary. This means, we'll have a district-wide vote to choose the candidates, then a special election to choose the winner.

Does this affect who will win? Probably not, in my cynical opinion. But it is does mean a more direct democracy and that candidates will have to actually campaign with voters, rather than just shaking hands around the party table.