Neurosurgeon, former AANS board member loses Senate bid

Monica C. Wehby, MD, a neurosurgeon and former member of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons board of directors, lost her bid for U.S. Senate in the state of Oregon to incumbent democrat candidate Jeff Merkley.

According to unofficial results, republican candidate Wehby received 449,513 votes to Merkley’s 640,015 votes. Wehby was a first-time candidate for senate.

Wehby took to her Facebook account to thank her supporters for voting for her in the election.

Monica C. Wehby

“Thank you to all my wonderful supporters. The campaign presented me with an opportunity to discuss the issues that matter to all of us, and I appreciate your willingness to listen. My message to you is, ‘Keep Fighting!’” Wehby wrote on Nov. 5.

Wehby won the GOP primary this past May, defeating Oregon State Rep. Jason Congers and three other candidates with 51% of the vote.

Wehby is the director of pediatric neurosurgery at Randall Children’s Hospital in Portland, Ore., and formerly served as president of the Oregon Medical Association and the Medical Society of Metropolitan Portland.

According to his official website, Merkley sponsored legislation to protect Social Security and Medicare and supported the Affordable Care Act.

Prior to the general election, Wehby stepped down from the AANS board of directors to give her campaign the necessary attention it deserved, she said in a press release.

Reference: www.monicafororegon.com and www.merkley.senate.gov.