The House Democratic campaign chief talks about how his party can keep the majority in a challenging election year. Jeff Mapes, The Oregonian http://connect.oregonlive.com/user/jmapes/index.html

House Transportation Chairman James Oberstar, D-Minn., and Rep. Peter DeFazio, D-Ore., said no one should expect quick passage of President Obama's plan to boost spending on roads and rail by $50 billion. Jeff Mapes, The Oregonian http://connect.oregonlive.com/user/jmapes/index.html

Republican Mitt Romney, who ran for president in 2008 and is gearing up to do it again, has endorsed Republican Jim Huffman in the Oregon race for U.S. Senate. Not much news there - except that Romney had not mentioned Huffman when he endorsed several Oregon candidates last week. Jeff Mapes, The Oregonian http://connect.oregonlive.com/user/jmapes/index.html

Two executives from Entek International in Lebanon kick in $50,000 to Republican Chris Dudley's campaign for Oregon governor. Jeff Mapes, The Oregonian http://connect.oregonlive.com/user/jmapes/index.html

The Low Income Dental Political Action Committee likes to write big checks to a small group of politicians from both sides of the aisle. What's up with that? Jeff Mapes, The Oregonian http://connect.oregonlive.com/user/jmapes/index.html

Republican Chris Dudley responds to an ad from Democrat John Kitzhaber that criticizes Dudley for once living across the river in Camas, Wash., to reduce his tax burden. Dudley says Kitzhaber is "desperate" and his attack unwarranted. Jeff Mapes, The Oregonian http://connect.oregonlive.com/user/jmapes/index.html

The National Republican Congressional Committee is painting a bigger target on Rep. Kurt Schrader, D-Ore. The campaign wing of the House GOP caucus said that it plans to spend $2 million on advertising in four additional districts, including Oregon's 5th. Jeff Mapes, The Oregonian http://connect.oregonlive.com/user/jmapes/index.html

Democrat John Kitzhaber and Republican Chris Dudley both joined Labor Day picnics sponsored by organized labor. But an attempt by the Northwest Oregon Labor Council to get Dudley to debate Kitzhaber fizzled. Jeff Mapes, The Oregonian http://connect.oregonlive.com/user/jmapes/index.html

Republican Chris Dudley says he wants to pursue a new scholarship plan for top students. Even in tough budget times, it's hard for political candidates to give up on the lure of a shiny new program. Jeff Mapes, The Oregonian http://connect.oregonlive.com/user/jmapes/index.html

Republican Chris Dudley turns to a movie-style trailer to rebut Democrat John Kitzhaber's new ad. Plus: two political handicappers upgrade Dudley's chances. Jeff Mapes, The Oregonian http://connect.oregonlive.com/user/jmapes/index.html

The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees ponies up $100,000 for Democrat John Kitzhaber's race for governor. Jeff Mapes, The Oregonian http://connect.oregonlive.com/user/jmapes/index.html