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Mult Dems Endorsements Announced
Submitted by Ginny Ross - DFO on February 19, 2006 - 10:29pm
The Central Committee of the Multnomah County Democratic Party met in three special meetings this weekend to consider endorsements in the May primary election.
Friday evening, local non-partisan races were considered. Saturday morning was for Legislative races, State Senate and House. Saturday afternoon, candidates were considered for statewide offices. Voting members had the option on each candidate to vote to Support, Remain Neutral or Oppose that candidate. The Central Committee did not vote to oppose any Democrat in this election. A complete list of endorsees is at the bottom of this message.
This process was for the primary election only. The Multnomah Democrats will vigorously support all Democratic nominees in partisan races for the general election in November.
As might be expected, most of the media attention we're getting is about the gubernatorial endorsements. Yesterday two candidates for the Democratic nomination for governor spoke with passion about the future of our state, and each made a strong case that he would be an effective, committed and passionate leader for the platform and values of the Multnomah County Democratic Party. The Central Committee voted to endorse both of them in a dual endorsement, Jim Hill and Pete Sorenson.
We can't send attachments via this group email, but if you are interested in receiving an electronic (pdf) copy of the meeting agenda, the ballot and the candidates' responses to our written questions, send a request to communications@multdems.org and I will send them along.
-Sue
Questions?
Gavin White, Chair
971.404.7294
Susan Hagmeier, Communications Secretary
503.236.4005
Endorsees:
Local Non-partisan positions
Diane Linn for Multnomah County Chair
Steve March for Multnomah County Auditor
Kathryn Harrington for Metro Councillor from District 4
Amanda Fritz for Portland City Council Position 3
In a dual endorsement for Multnomah County Commissioner from District 2
Lew Frederick
Gary Hansen
In a dual endorsement for Portland City Council Position 2:
Emilie Boyles
Erik Sten
For the State House and Senate:
Senate District 16
Betsy Johnson
Senate District 17
Brad Avakian
Senate District 19
Richard Devlin
Senate District 24
Frank Shields
Senate District 26
Rick Metsger
House District 27 (dual endorsement)
Mike Bohan
Tobias Read
House District 31
Brad Witt
House District 33
Mitch Greenlick
House District 35
Larry Galizio
House District 36
Mary Nolan
House District 38
Greg Macpherson
House District 41
Carolyn Tomei
House District 42
Diane Rosenbaum
House District 43
Chip Shields
House District 44 (dual endorsement)
Tina Kotek
Jim Robison
House District 45
Jackie Dingfelder
House District 46
Mary Lou Hennrich
House District 47
Jeff Merkley
House District 48
Mike Schaufler
House District 49
Rob Brading
Statewide Offices
Judge of the Oregon Supreme Court, Position 6
W Eugene Hallman
Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor and Industries
Dan Gardner
Superintendent of Public Instruction
Susan Castillo
Governor of Oregon (dual endorsement)
Jim Hill
Pete Sorenson
***
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Ya Can't Please Everyone.....
It seems ya can't win for losing, as the saying goes, and it seems pretty appropriate these days with Democrats. While Democrats nationally are taking heat for not taking a firm stance against the war, local Dems are feeling the heat FOR taking a stance.
I write, of course, of the Multnomah County Party's vote to remain neutral on the candidacy of incumbant Governor Ted Kulingowski. PCP's were given little encouragement from the Governor's office at last Saturday's endorsement meeting; a young campaign manager was sent to deliver campaign rhetoric, and he was unable to address several questions regarding policy.
Significantly, both new race entrant Hill and the progressive Sorenson did appear and addressed the meeting. Kulingowski's no-show, combined with passion and dialogue from Hill and Sorenson, produced the result of endorsing both challengers and remaining non-commital on Kulingowski.
Ever since, the press and State Party leadership has had a field day berating the Multnomah Dems. The critiques have ranged from "Oh, they don't really represent the democrats of Multnomah County," to "They didn't advertise the meeting," to "They're just a bunch of lefty wackos".
The framing of the entire issue has become not "What's wrong with Kulingowski?" but "What's wrong with the Multnomah Dems?" While it's true that the PCPs at Saturday's meeting numbered 35, to dismiss the vote as an aberation of low numbers or as an inaccurate representation of democratic sentiment is completely invalid.
There were, indeed, voices in the room that spoke for the endorsement of Governor Kulongowski: folks who found it inconceivable that the Party not support an incumbent. In the end, though, he was not endorsed, and the blame lies not with the dedicated Party activists who spent half their weekend in meetings because of their commitment to democratic ideals. The blame lies squarely on the shoulders of Governor Kulingowski himself.
He has been conspicously MIA in forums and events designed explicitly to present candidates and their positions. This trend will continue as Kulingowski plans to avoid the early March forum hosted by the Associated Press in Salem. Constituents, at best, get canned campaign rhetoric delivered by an aide or campaign manager. It's not simply that the Governor is ignoring the working democrats who elected him, it's that he's providing us no reason to re-elect him.
Oh, odds are that Kulingowski feels pretty comfortable. No doubt his contributions are all lined up, and as a incumbent he has little desire or inclination to press the flesh. He's probably thrilled that Jim Hill has entered the race, foreseeing the possibility of the challengers splitting the vote. In the end, he reasons, he'll win and the Multnomah Dems will just look stupid.
I prefer to think that we just look honest.
KC Hanson