Oregon Public Broadcasting

Democrats hold a razor-thin advantage in the Oregon House.  They are hoping next week's election will change that.  But some people are warning against putting too much power in the hands of one party.  Salem correspondent Chris Lehman reports.

The entire Oregon House of Representatives is up for election.  Most observers think Democrats have a good chance of picking up several seats. 

Pacific University political scientist Jim Moore thinks the party will gain three or four seats and possibly more.  He says that's because Democrats have experienced dramatic registration gains in what were formerly Republican-leaning districts.

Jim Moore:  "People who were more conservative and had longer ties are now outnumbered by people who've moved in in the past decade."

If Democrats pick up five or more seats in the House, they'll have a supermajority.  The party already enjoys a wide advantage in the state Senate, and holds the governor's office. 

A supermajority in the House would allow them to pass tax increases without any Republican support. 

That's a prospect that concerns people like Terry Witt.  He's the director of Oregonians for Food and Shelter, a lobbying group that represents farmers, foresters and pesticide makers.

Terry Witt:  "If there is not a counter-balancing force to make sure that any fees and or taxes that are increased or passed are fair and equitable, then thereís a major fear and I think realistic fear that it will disproportionately impact businesses."

Of course, Democrats aren't running on a platform of increasing taxes.  In fact, Moore has observed that many candidates in both parties are steering clear of the issues altogether.

Jim Moore:  "Mostly we're seeing the campaigns focusing on the quality of the other candidate.  Is this person actually qualified to hold this job?  Are they actually an evil-doer in disguise?  That kind of stuff."

Much of the attention is focused on the Oregon House.  That's because only half of the seats in the Senate are on the ballot this year, and relatively few of those races are expected to be close.