Frankly, I wish that Kevin Mannix would run against Darlene Hooley, but he doesn't want to live in D.C. and his heart is set on the Governorship.
Mannix came tantalizingly close to being elected Governor in 2002 and ran a strong race for state Attorney General in 2000. It would be great if he were to win this one.
He would be better running against Hooley I agree. But he isnt going to get closer running for Governor as he did in 02. Many republicans are tired of Mannix, and in the Portland area (where the most votes are) he isnt liked at all.