New York Times, October 23, 2004

Settlement Offered in Drug Patent Case

PORTLAND, Ore., Oct. 22 (AP) - The attorney general of Oregon, Hardy Myers, has proposed a $36 million nationwide settlement among the pharmaceutical manufacturer Organon USA, consumers and states over the antidepressant drug Remeron.

The settlement proposal, filed in federal court in New Jersey on Thursday, resulted from a 10-month investigation by Florida, Oregon and Texas into accusations that Organon tried to prevent consumer access to lower-cost generic versions of the drug. ... (more)

Attorney General Myers announces broad support in law enforcement community

Portland — Attorney General Hardy Myers announced today that his bid for reelection has been endorsed by a robust group of law enforcement organizations in Oregon.

The Attorney General’s base of support from the law enforcement community includes the Oregon Council of Police Associations, Oregon Police Chiefs for Safer Communities, Oregon State Fire Fighters Council, Association of Oregon Corrections Employees, Crime Victims United, and thirty-one of the state’s district attorneys. ... (more)

Endorsement: Willamette Week, October 13, 2004

Our AG is not a politician--let's keep it that way

In eight years of elected office, Myers has shown himself to be a solid, quiet administrator, not a politician--and that's a good thing. He has focused on seeking restitution for crime victims, combating sexual assault, and consumer protection (he's been particularly dogged prosecuting pharmaceutical industry abuses). ... (more)

Endorsement: Register-Guard, October 5, 2004

Attorney general: Myers: Low-key incumbent serves state well

Myers' greatest achievement, however, is one that manifests itself in silence. Oregon's government is deeply divided along partisan lines, yet there are remarkably few complaints of political spin from the attorney general's office. Myers is trusted to play it straight - he successfully defended Oregon's assisted suicide law, for instance, despite his personal opposition to the voter-approved initiative. A Republican Legislature and a Democratic governor alike have learned to rely on Myers for sound advice and vigorous defense. Myers deserves re-election. ... (more)

Endorsement: Mail Tribune, October 7, 2004

Re-elect Hardy Myers

Myers has done a good job of representing state agencies, defending the state’s voter-approved assisted suicide law against attacks by U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft, protecting consumers against fraud and beefing up protections for victims of crime. He acted quickly when Multnomah County suddenly began issuing same-sex marriage licenses, arranging a deal to get the case heard quickly by the state Supreme Court. ... (more)

Endorsement: Daily Astorian, September 28, 2004

Hardy Myers for attorney general

He grasps the inequities that plague Oregon’s criminal justice system

As with the challengers to the other statewide office holders, Connolly’s is a token candidacy. He would be an effective candidate for the state Legislature. That, in fact, is where Myers began, eventually serving with distinction as speaker of the House 1979 to 1983.

As a legislator and as attorney general, Hardy Myers has been the model of what we need in Salem. We only wish there were more like him. Without hesitation, we urge Hardy Myers’ re-election. ... (more)

Endorsement: Bend Bulletin, September 30, 2004

Attorney General: Myers still the best choice

During his two terms as Oregon's attorney general, Hardy Myers has performed the duties of his office capably. He has worked hard to protect consumers and improve life for crime victims, and he has conducted himself responsibly as the state's chief legal counsel. He is seeking a third (and, he says, final) term in office. Voters should give it to him. ... (more)

Endorsement: The Oregonain, September 22, 2004

Hardy Myers for attorney general

Myers has a more modest, focused view of his office. He sees the attorney general as the chief lawyer for the government and the point person for upholding the rule of law in Oregon. But there's nothing modest about Myers' record over the past eight years -- or his plans for the next four. In addition to providing solid legal advice for the state as the head of the state's own law firm, he's worked to bolster the state's economic restitution efforts in crime cases as well as its response to sexual assaults, crime victims services and child support enforcement. ... (more)

Endorsement: Statesman Journal, September 14, 2004

Myers' leadership, record worthy of re-election

If you were casting a TV series about Oregon's attorney general, you’d look for a star who revels in the limelight.

The reality of the office is nowhere near that dramatic. You want a thoughtful person, a dependable public servant with a proven track record. That's the incumbent, Democrat Hardy Myers. ... (more)

AG Myers A National Leader in Fight Against Drug Company Lawbreaking

Portland— Attorney General Hardy Myers announced today that his office has participated in the recovery of over one billion dollars in restitution and fines from pharmaceutical companies engaged in deceptive marketing and anticompetitive conduct.

Myers has received national attention for his leadership in litigation with pharmaceutical companies, including appointment to the chairmanship of the consumer protection committee of the National Association of Attorneys General and a recent interview on a national radio news program (to hear the story, click here). ... (more)

AG Myers Announces Broad Support from Educational Community

Portland— Attorney General Hardy Myers’ reelection campaign announced today that it has secured the endorsements of the Oregon chapter of the American Federation of Teachers, the Oregon Education Association, and the Oregon School Employees Association. ... (more)

AG Myers Appointed Chair of National Consumer Protection Committee

Portland— Oregon Attorney General Hardy Myers has been appointed chair of the National Association of Attorneys General’s Consumer Protection Committee, which explores ways of protecting consumers from market manipulation, anticompetitive conduct, and other illegality in the marketplace. ... (more)

Associated Press, September 8, 2004

Rite-Aid to curb tobacco sales to minors in Ore.

SALEM -- Attorney General Hardy Myers announced Wednesday an agreement with retailer Rite Aid aimed at curbing the sale of tobacco to minors.

The agreement with the national chain, which has 70 Rite Aid stores in Oregon, includes a new set of policies, all aimed at reducing the sale of cigarettes, chewing tobacco and snuff to minors. ... (more)

The Bend Bugle, September 13, 2004

State sends crisis response team to Florida

September 13 - Attorney General Hardy Myers announced Monday that Oregon is sending a specialized Crisis Response Team to aid in the relief and recovery of the tens of thousands of Floridians victimized by Hurricanes Charley and Frances. ... (more)

Albany Democrat-Herald / Associated Press

Officials upset by pre-empting of consumer laws

SALEM - Federal pre-emption of consumer protection regulations is weakening Oregon's efforts at consumer safeguards, Attorney General Hardy Myers and state regulators said Thursday.

A new report issued by the Oregon State Public Interest Research Group said the federal government increasingly is pre-empting the right of states to deal with consumer issues and is establishing federal law as a "ceiling" on what states can do.

Myers said the new federal identity theft law, for example, pre-empted Oregon's tougher law protecting credit card numbers. ... (more)

The World newspaper, August 14, 2004

State initiates investigation of gas prices

Spurred by the South Coast's largest wave of complaints about gasoline prices in more than a decade, the office of state Attorney General Hardy Myers has opened an investigation into local filling stations' pricing policies. ... (more)

Statesman Journal, August 6, 2004

Oregon schools, libraries soon will receive CDs

More than 67,000 music compact discs have been shipped to Oregon public schools and libraries as part of a national antitrust settlement between state law enforcement and music distributors and retailers of music compact discs, Oregon Attorney General Hardy Myers said.

The CDs, which will go to about 300 Oregon libraries and schools, are valued at more than $900,000. ... (more)

The Oregonian, July 13, 2004

Oregon, Washington demand help from feds with Enron

Attorney General Hardy Myers of Oregon and Attorney General Christine Gregoire of Washington both said recent developments in the Enron case, including the indictment of former Enron chief executive Kenneth Lay, add to the mounting evidence that the bankrupt energy trading company helped send prices soaring during the Western energy crisis of 2001.

"There can be no doubt that Enron, through fraud and deceit, sent the West Coast energy market into an unnecessary and destructive tailspin," Myers said in a prepared statement.

"The fact that FERC has not already taken adequate steps to hold this company accountable is inexcusable," he said. ... (more)