Kitts faced Dawn Phillips in the May 2002 Republican primary with the chance to run against Aron Carleson in the November general election, as Democrat Carleson was running unopposed in her primary. The incumbent, Bruce Starr, ran for a seat in the Oregon State Senate.
Kitts contested Dawn Phillips in the May 2002 Republican primary, with the goal of facing Aron Carleson in the November general election. Democrat Carleson's unopposed run in the primary and incumbent Bruce Starr's bid for a seat in the Oregon State Senate were key factors in this context.