Secretary of State Kate Brown prepares to enter the governor's office as a political figure seen as a more reliably party-line Democrat than outgoing Gov. John Kitzhaber.

Legislators and lobbyists familiar with Brown - who is no newcomer to Salem, having been an elected official in the state Capitol for almost 24 years - say they don't expect an abrupt shift in philosophy in the governor's office.

But Brown may well take a different tack on such key issues as education, timber policy, tort reform and campaign finance limits. Brown did not talk Friday about her plans and gave only brief remarks to reporters.

Education interests are watching to see if Brown continues with some of the Kitzhaber education reform issues that were supported by the business community - but opposed by the powerful teachers' union, the Oregon Education Association. The union was a major financial backer of Brown in her last re-election campaign.

Kitzhaber, who began his political career in the heart of Oregon's timber country, kept close working relationships with the industry while Brown has generally stuck with the environmental community. Kitzhaber, a former emergency room physician, and Brown, a lawyer, have also had a different perspective on legislation capping legal damage awards.

"We'll have to see what the next chapter is," said Ryan Deckert, president of the Oregon Business Association. adding that it will take time to assess what changes she brings to office.

Republicans are already raising concerns about the idea that Brown will make a pivot to the left.

Kitzhaber "learned over time to govern from the center and run to the right or left as warranted," Senate Minority Leader Ted Ferrioli, R-John Day, said before Kitzhaber announced Friday that he would resign next week.

"I'm not sure Kate has those skills," Ferrioli added, calling her a "progressive party-line foot soldier" when she was in the Legislature.

House Minority Leader Mike McLane, R-Powell Butte, said he was also concerned that Brown would have a more liberal legislative agenda.

"I have concern that Portland's left, or liberal, interests have really risen in the state," McLane said Friday. "Oregon needs to be served by folks who have all of our interests at heart, not simply who attends the best restaurants in the Pearl District."

Republicans are pressuring Democratic legislators to hold up on a bill aimed at reducing the use of carbon-intensive fuels. GOP legislators sought to tie it to the scandal surrounding Kitzhaber's fiancee, Cylvia Hayes, but Democratic leaders expressed no interest in holding up the bill. And there's no indication that Brown opposes it.

In part, Brown is seen as being to the left of Kitzhaber because she began her career representing one of the most liberal legislative districts in the state - she lives in Southeast Portland - and became the Senate majority leader. That's a job that requires lawmakers to play the partisan warrior.

Kitzhaber, in contrast, was a legislator from the conservative town of Roseburg and then jumped to the governorship, a job that typically forces occupants to trim their ideological sails.

"I would be really surprised if she governs hard-left," said Jon Chandler, who lobbies for the homebuilders industry and said the new job will force her to compromise.

Still, Brown's ascension will almost certainly produce some policy shifts.

Kristina McNitt, president of the Oregon Forest Industries Council, described how Kitzhaber had focused heavily on boosting federal forest harvests.

"We didn't always agree with him, but he was willing to roll up his sleeves and do the hard work," she said. "Those issues are in his heart. I don't know if they are in hers."

Doug Moore, executive director of the Oregon League of Conservation Voters, said that Brown might be more willing to strengthen the state's Forest Practices Act, which regulates logging on private lands. She might also take a different stand than Kitzhaber on congressional legislation dealing with timber harvests on federal lands in Oregon.

Kitzhaber supported a bill supported by three Oregon House members that had industry backing instead of a more restrictive measure championed by Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore.

Kitzhaber also set up a new framework for governing education in Oregon and proposed dedicating some school funding to programs increasing early childhood literacy. The Legislature will have to decide this year whether to continue the newly created Oregon Education Investment Board and position of chief education officer.

Brown will have to decide how to weigh in amid the competing interests.

As secretary of state, Brown oversaw the state elections system and could bring some of that focus into the governor's office. In particular, she's been a major supporter of legislation aimed at limiting campaign donations - something that was not a major area of interest for Kitzhaber.

Some indication of the different perspectives of Kitzhaber and Brown can be seen in the chart below showing major campaign donors to the two. Most notably, Kitzhaber, unlike Brown, had major contributions from Nike co-founder Phil Knight and the health care industry while Brown had major support from the teacher's union.

In any case, Sen. Ginny Burdick said she expected Brown to move carefully.

"It's going to be a huge jump," said Sen. Ginny Burdick, D-Portland. "When you run for governor, you have all that time to get your agenda together, you have all that time to work with stakeholders on key issues, to really get your head in the policy game. She has not had that advantage...She will put her stamp on the office, but it's way too early to tell what it's going to look like."

-- Jeff Mapes, Brad Schmidt and Ian K. Kullgren. Data analysis by Mark Friesen of The Oregonian staff.

-- Jeff Mapes

jmapes@oregonian.com

503-221-8209

@Jeffmapes

How Kate Brown and John Kitzhaber's biggest financial backers differ

Top Brown 2012 contributors who didn't give to Kitzhaber 2014

Contributor Amount About Our Oregon $37,194 Progressive Oregon nonprofit Oregon Education Association $25,000 Union representing 45,000 educators Democratic Association of Secretaries of State $21,207 National Secretary of State group based in Baltimore, Md. Working America $21,200 Pro-labor group based in Washington, D.C. Emily's List $15,000 National group promoting pro-choice women John Kitzhaber election committee $10,000 Election campaign for Oregon's governor Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund $7,500 National group promoting LGBT candidates R. Patrick Hanlin $7,500 Former CEO of call center Markowitz, Herbold, Glade & Mehlhaf $6,500 Portland law firm Curtis Thompson $6,500 Oregon physician Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs Reservation $5,000 Central Oregon tribe and casino proprietor Holding Onto Oregon's Priorities $5,000 Sen. Ron Wyden political action committee Stephen Petruzelli $5,000 Former CEO of Willamette Dental Group Steven Silberstein $5,000 California-based Democratic supporter Stoll, Stoll, Berne, Lokting & Shlachter $5,000 Portland law firm