UPDATE- Sen. Carter made the official announcement of her withdrawal from the campaign Wednesday afternoon. Her reason for withdrawal was “Continuing my work as Deputy Director. Working passionately for the people of this state who are in great challenges.”

Image by orsendemocrats via Flickr. Sen. Vicki Walker and Margaret Carter (Left to right)

PORTLAND – Just one day after filing to run, former State Sen. Margaret Carter is said to be dropping out of the race for Ted Wheeler’s soon-to-be-vacated position as Chair of the Multnomah County Commission.

A source close to the commission stated that Carter’s decision to drop her bid was because she would have to resign her current high-level position in the Department of Human Services. Steve Novick also retracted his bid just hours after filing for the same Commission seat yesterday.

Jeff Cogen, a current Multnomah County Commissioner, also has thrown his hat in the ring for Wheeler’s seat. With both Carter and Novick out of the race for County Chair, he will run relatively unopposed by his own party. Cogen will not have to resign his current seat to run for the Chair position because he has less than a year left in his current term.

Wheeler’s seat was a surprise opening. He was expected to run for reelection with little opposition, but his appointment as State Treasurer on Tuesday left his seat open. With Cogen looking to fill Wheeler’s seat, two commission spots suddenly have become competitive.

CORRECTION- Lisa Naito was previously listed as the direct source of information, however she was not Oregon Politico’s direct source.