Lindsay Berschauer and Rep. Matt WingardThe woman who wants to replace Rep. Matt Wingard in the Oregon Legislature is "not currently dating" him, she says, although she acknowledges a close friendship in the past.
Lindsay Berschauer, a conservative activist who works for the Oregon Transformation Project,
that she would seek the nomination to run as a Republican in Wingard's district. Wingard, R-Wilsonville, pulled out of the race amid
with a young legislative aide.
Chatter among lobbyists and lawmakers is that Berschauer and Wingard, who has received campaign donations from the
, have been romantically involved.
Asked that question directly, Berschauer offered a tactful but unclear answer.
"I have seen Matt in the past socially," she said. "We are not currently dating." Asked if that means they used to date, Berschauer would only repeat herself, emphasizing the word "currently."
If the two are romantically linked, it could spell trouble for Berschauer. Republicans seemed relieved that Wingard voluntarily dropped out of his re-election bid after his former aide, Samantha Berrier, accused him of pressuring her into having sex with her two years ago. Other witnesses said they observed Wingard buying alcohol for Berrier when she was underage, and that he hosted a party where minors were seen drinking.
Berschauer says her relationship with Wingard "is completely irrelevant" and that she told him more than a year ago that she would run for his seat if he ever decided to give it up. "Pushing for reform -- this is what I want to do, this is my passion," she said.
The deadline for Republican candidates to file for Wingard's seat is 5 p.m. Friday. Precinct representatives from Washington and Clackamas counties are scheduled to meet at 6 p.m. Monday, July 9 to select a nominee who will run in the November election.
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