More Dems lining up for potential challenge to Rep. David Wu

From The Oregonian:

Simon’s professional relationship with Wu dates back to at least 2004, when The Oregonian reported that the congressman, as a student at Stanford University in 1976, was disciplined for trying to force an ex-girlfriend to have sex.

Wu had refused interview requests for months and hired Simon, who aggressively attacked the paper’s reporting and sought to stop publication. When the story ran three weeks before the election, Wu quickly apologized for his “inexcusable behavior” at Stanford and was re-elected.

Simon, who is up for a federal judgeship, said in an email to The Oregonian that he “resigned from serving as Congressman Wu’s lawyer for personal reasons that are unrelated to Congressman Wu.” He declined to elaborate Tuesday on when he resigned and why.

Bonamici declined to say whether her husband’s decision to stop working for Wu has anything to do with her consideration of the race.

For Democrats who see Wu as a liability, a crowded primary likely makes it tougher to oust him.

Wu admitted in February that he has sought “both counseling and medication” since October of last year, when the congressman’s bizarre behavior caused his staff to suggest he seek hospitalization.

Days before the 2010 midterm elections, Wu sent his staff a picture of himself wearing a tiger costume, as well as emails written in the voice of his children. His behavior prompted six of his 20 staffers to quit their jobs.