State Sen. Jason Atkinson said Thursday he will run for governor in 2006, taking on two other Republicans in a bid to unseat Gov. Ted Kulongoski.

"The people of Oregon are ready for a new generation," said the 34-year-old Central Point resident. "The people are ready for a new kind of Republican."

Atkinson joins Ron Saxton and Kevin Mannix in the race. Mannix narrowly lost to Kulongoski in 2002.

Kulongoski said he will seek a second term, and Sen. Vicki Walker, D-Eugene, is considering running against him in the primary.

While expressing respect for his opponents, Atkinson said he, like other Oregonians, is frustrated with the direction politics has taken in recent years.

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"Special interests have controlled the agenda in Salem," said Atkinson, who has served seven years as senator.

He said it likely will be a difficult primary, but he hopes to pull people from his own party together to finally put a Republican back in the governor’s seat.

"Republicans usually divide," he said. "Republicans eat their young, and I’m young. I think what it takes to be a Republican and win is youth and passion — passion for public service and restoring honor."

Atkinson said he is putting together a campaign committee and will make a formal announcement of his candidacy at a later time.

With little name recognition in the Portland area, Atkinson said, "I have not been a grandstanding politician. I just like to get things done."

Rep. Sal Esquivel, R-Medford, said all three Republicans would make good candidates. He offered some insight into scenarios that could produce a candidate who would have the broadest appeal.

"It’s not necessarily whether you like Kevin, or you like Jason or you like Ron," he said. "It doesn’t matter — it’s who can win."

Mannix, he said, lost by a narrow margin, but "he still lost his second race. There is the perception that he is very conservative."

Atkinson, he said, offers a fresh face, but there still remains the perception that he is conservative.

Saxton, on the other hand, appears more moderate, which could help win over the heavy voting block in the Portland area.

Mannix said he didn’t have much to say about Atkinson’s candidacy at this point. But he did knock Atkinson’s lack of leadership in the Senate to pass Jessica’s Law, which would have required better tracking of sex offenders.

"Had I been a senator ... I wouldn’t have been quiet about it," he said.

Mannix also said he has the most solid support among the Republican base, and has a long leadership record that he can point to during his candidacy.

Atkinson said he didn’t want to comment on Mannix’s criticism, but noted he put his name on the sex offender bill and felt strongly that it should have been passed.

He said he would make it one of his priorities as governor to pass a law that protects children from sex offenders.

In addition, Atkinson said he would push to make the education budget the first thing in the legislative process instead of one of the last.

A graduate of Southern Oregon University, Atkinson said he is passionate about higher education and would work to get it properly funded.

Another priority would be to improve the economic conditions in Oregon so those who do graduate from the state’s schools have job opportunities.

Atkinson and his wife, Stephanie, have one 2-year-old child, Perry.

An avid skier, cyclist and outdoor enthusiast, Atkinson said, "I married a fly-fishing partner."

He said his wife supports his decision to run, despite the difficult campaigning coming up.

"She’ll make the best first lady," he said.

Reach reporter Damian Mann at 776-4476, or e-mail dmann@mailtribune.com.