Anti-tax activist enters Ore. governor race

SALEM, Ore. (AP) — Bill Sizemore, a high-profile anti-tax activist beset in recent years by legal troubles, has filed to run again for the Republican nomination for Oregon governor in 2010.

It's a surprise political comeback attempt by Sizemore, who was trounced when he ran for governor in 1998. He's been the author of dozens of ballot measures over the years seeking to curb the power of public employee unions and to limit government and taxes.

In a statement Monday on the NW Republican blog site, Sizemore said he might have to run his campaign "from inside a jail cell."

In 2002, a Multnomah County jury found that Sizemore's former political action committee had engaged in a "pattern of racketeering" by using forged signatures to qualify measures.

He has since been found in contempt of court three times for violating restrictions placed on his political activities.

Sizemore didn't return a phone call for comment Tuesday morning.

Others in the GOP race at this point are businessman Allen Alley, who run for state treasurer in 2008, and John Lim, a businessman and former legislator.

Former Portland Trail Blazers center Chris Dudley is considering running for the Republican gubernatorial nomination and is expected to make an announcement soon.

On the Democratic side are former Gov. John Kitzhaber and former Secretary of State Bill Bradbury.

It was Kitzhaber who defeated Sizemore in 1998, 63 percent to 30 percent, the largest margin of victory for a governor in 48 years.

Copyright 2009 The Associated Press.