SALEM, Ore.- Portland resident Jeff Reardon was really looking forward to a peaceful retirement after his last year of teaching at David Douglas High School. But instead, the Vietnam veteran has decided to take on Rep. Mike Schaufler, D-Happy Valley, in the House District 48 Democratic primary.

Schaufler has served in the Oregon House of Representatives since 2003. Prior to that, he was on the Happy Valley City Council from 1997 to 2000.

SALEM, Ore.- Three Democrats are vying for their party’s nomination for Oregon House District 36, which includes Southwest Portland and part of its downtown area.

The seat is currently held by Rep. Mary Nolan, D-Portland, who is running for a seat on the Portland City Council.

SALEM, Ore.- Thuy Tran’s parents came to the United States as refugees with little more than the clothes on their backs. Now, one generation later, Tran is a successful optometrist, small business owner and Democratic candidate for Oregon House District 47.

Most of HD 47 is east of I-205, with a portion stretching up to the Washington border. The seat is currently held by Rep. Jefferson Smith, D-Portland, who is running for Portland mayor.

SALEM, Ore.- Klamath Falls resident Tracey Liskey said he has been friends with Gail Whitsett and her husband, Sen. Doug Whitsett, R-Klamath Falls, for over 30 years. But that isn’t stopping Liskey from seeking the same House District 56 seat that Gail Whitsett is hoping to fill.

HD 56 includes the southern parts of Lake and Klamath counties, down to the California border.

SALEM, Ore.- The Republican candidates for House District 22 are very familiar with each other. They should be, as they faced off in a primary election two years ago.

Kathy LeCompte beat Tom Chereck, Jr. in that race and then went on to run against incumbent Rep. Betty Komp, D-Woodburn, for the November general election.

SALEM, Ore.- The last time State Representative Bob Jenson, R-Pendleton, faced a challenge for Oregon House District 58, it proved very expensive.

According to the Secretary of State’s office, Jenson showed expenditures of over $126,000 for the 2010 entire election cycle.

SALEM, Ore.- The Oregon House of Representatives is currently split evenly between Republicans and Democrats. Many political insiders believe that control of that chamber for the 2013 session ultimately will be decided by a handful of districts located in and around the Portland suburbs.

One of those is House District 29, which includes Hillsboro, Forest Grove and Cornelius.

SALEM, Ore.- Many candidates for public office will spend the next several months trying to convince voters that they understand voters’ frustration over the state of the national economy.

It may be easier than most for Oregon House District 12 candidate Sandra Mann, as she has faced some of those issues herself.

SALEM, Ore.- Two Republican candidates are vying for the House District 44 seat currently held by Democrat Tina Kotek. The biggest difference between the two is that one said his candidacy is a joke and the other is taking his very seriously.

HD 44 includes north and northeast Portland, up to the Washington border, and includes the Portland International Airport.

SALEM, Ore.- For three years, Creswell resident Kelly Lovelace has watched a park in Brownsville be threatened by erosion. The Republican candidate for House District 11 said the problem could be easily solved with a few dump trucks, an excavator and some other equipment in just a matter of days.

“There’s a way to do it and do it right. There are people in place that have that plan, but nobody wants to do it,” Lovelace said.