BerniePDX / Portland for Bernie

Sick and tired of a Republican-run Congress? 2018 is time to flip some seats! Dorothy Gasque is an amazing Berniecrat running to replace Jaime Herrera Beutler, our closest Republican Congress member, representing Washington’s Third District, just across the river. Herrera Beutler, who votes in line with Trump about 88% of the time, clearly does not represent the people. Dorothy herself is a long time BerniePDX member, a combat vet and a powerful progressive political organizer. She is uniquely qualified to win this seat with a progressive peoples’ platform, and her military background enables her to bring conservatives on board, boosting her chances in an open primary state.

We at BerniePDX can create the change we want to see by helping oust Jaime Herrera Beutler and electing a representative we can believe in, Dorothy Gasque! Let’s have a mailing party for her! Dorothy will be there herself, so if you haven’t met her, this is your chance! While we’re stuffing envelopes, she’ll be talking about her amazing platform and the things we can do to help her campaign, like canvassing and holding phone banks in Portland.

Location: Watershed, 5040 SE Milwaukie Ave.

DANA CARSTENSEN FOR METRO COUNCIL DISTRICT 4

Did you know that Metro is the only directly elected regional government in the United States? This gives Portland region voters a unique opportunity to shape our future together! In the contest for Metro Council District 4, BerniePDX has chosen to endorse the boldly progressive vision proposed by Dana Carstensen. Besides his experience working for Metro (at the Zoo) and organizing Metro workers, Dana has that rare quality: political imagination. His plans to develop waste-to-energy infrastructure, to transition Tri-Met to an all-electric bus fleet, and to encourage community ownership of land, have the potential to completely transform our region by creating living wage green jobs, drastically reducing our carbon footprint, and keeping people in stable housing.

Read more about Dana and his platform, and please volunteer and donate: https://www.danacarstensen.com/meetdana

SHABBA WOODLEY FOR WASHINGTON COUNTY CHAIR

Shabba Woodley is our choice for Washington County Chair. Shabba understands the issues facing working families in our community, from transportation to lack of affordable housing and the prevalence of low wages. But more importantly, what Shabba doesn’t understand, he wants to learn by listening to people like us. That’s what a servant leader does, so they can truly represent us and develop community-based solutions. We believe in Shabba’s dedication, in his passion for equity, and in his drive to create a County board that’s inclusive and responsive to the needs of citizens.

Read more about Shabba and his platform / volunteer / donate: http://www.shabbawoodley.com/

MARIA GARCIA FOR MULTNOMAH COUNTY DISTRICT 2

Three progressive women are running to represent Multnomah County in District 2. BerniePDX members voted to endorse María García for the position. María is an activist and advocate with strong ties to the community. Serving on the Multnomah County Commission will be an extension of her lifelong dedication to giving voice and support to underrepresented communities.

Learn more about Maria Garcia, volunteer or donate: https://www.mariaformultnomah.com/

In the crucial race to replace Rod Monroe in Senate District 24, we have not one but two amazing progressives running! We wish all the best to Shemia Fagan, but BerniePDX members chose to endorse Kayse Jama for this race.

In these times when racists feel emboldened, when immigrants, refugees and people of color live in growing fear of deportation and violence, Kayse’s story as a former refugee who loves this country and his vision for an inclusive community where we all belong are incredibly timely and compelling. We believe Kayse, who has shown extraordinary leadership as a lifelong activist, founder and executive director of Unite Oregon, and community advocate on public boards and commissions at the City, Metro and State levels, has the experience and passion to take on Rod Monroe. All he needs is grassroots power and that means US!

Learn more about Kayse Jama, volunteer and donate: http://www.kaysejama.com/

And don’t forget to check our BerniePDX calendar for upcoming events, including events in support of our BerniePDX-endorsed candidates!

Are you ready for election season 2018? Primaries are coming up on May 15! This year we have a chance to elevate true progressives to the nomination, servant leaders who when elected will champion us the people rather than corporate interests and the status quo!

We have met many great candidates lately at our BerniePDX meeting, now is the time to choose. We encourage you to answer our endorsement poll, even if you have not attended all presentations. Please answer ASAP, as this poll closes March 6!

BerniePDX will welcome county commissioner candidates who have completed our questionnaire and been invited to speak. Bring your questions! Find out what their vision of the future is and how they align with your values. An endorsement poll will be sent out after the meeting.

ABOUT MARIA GARCIA
Mother, business owner, social justice activist, Co chair of the New Portlanders Policy Commission and dedicated advocate to communities of color.

ABOUT SUSHEELA JAYAPAL
Susheela was born in India, and grew up in Singapore and Indonesia. She came to the United States in 1979, at the age of 16, to attend college. Her parents believed that a good education was the cornerstone of a good life, and they used all of their extra income and savings to make sure Susheela received that education. Susheela is an attorney and a community advocate. As an attorney, Susheela represented the government in taking on corrupt and negligent bank officers during the fiscal crisis of the 1980s, provided free legal services to people seeking political asylum in the U.S., and worked on improving labor conditions at factories in Southeast Asia. As a community advocate, she has supported our public schools; worked to improve access to reproductive healthcare; and has challenged the power structure in our local arts institutions to ensure that public dollars are invested in communities of color. She will bring to the Multnomah County Commission her personal experience as an immigrant, a woman of color, and a mom; and her professional experience moving large institutions to make things better for those with the least power.

ABOUT SHARON MAXWELL
I’m excited to launch my campaign for County Commissioner, District 2, as a champion of everyday people and those who have been historically left behind, discounted, marginalized, and not represented.We can do better and we will do it together. You can’t lead people or work with people where you haven’t been willing to go yourself, I’m the candidate that has lived in the neighborhood, built the buildings, run the business, housed the homeless, worked with the young adults to achieve brighter futures, given jobs to the overlooked, and reached out to our entire community.

ABOUT SHABBA WOODLEY
Authentic leadership that is not beholden to for-profit interest is what I want to bring to the leadership of Washington County. As someone who has experienced most of the pressing issues in the county, I bring the perspective of not only understanding the issues but a deeper insight that allows me to feel the urgency for a resolution. My key issues that I want to tackle are Affordable housing, County services, and sustainable growth. I believe that investing focus and energy into the things that county citizens need is the best way to keep our community growing at a healthy pace. I envision a future where leadership is there to promote the welfare of the community, leadership that is not bought, and elected leadership that understands that they are the servants to the people’s best interest.

Location: Watershed Bldg, 5040 SE Milwaukie Ave.

On Wednesday, February 21st, come out to hear a presentation from Dana Carstensen, progressive candidate running for Metro Council District 4.

How does Dana plan to shape policies impacting your lives, including housing, transportation, waste management, and lifting up the voices of historically underserved communities? Will he take corporate money in his campaign? Bring your questions!

We will also discuss the HOPE amendment that the Oregon House just passed in favor of universal affordable healthcare in Oregon.

Location: Watershed Bldg, 5040 SE Milwaukie Ave.

BerniePDX members have spoken!

Many thanks to each and every one of you who took the time to vote in our endorsement poll.

For City Council, we’re proud to endorse Julia DeGraw for Position 2 and Jo Ann Hardesty for Position 3.

Julia’s vision for transforming City Council is truly inspiring, we believe it has the potential to really change how politics is done in Portland. Julia combines passion and experience, she has a track record of effective leadership, and with our support she will be a formidable challenger to Nick Fish and to entrenched business interests!

Sign up to volunteer / donate @ julia4pdx.com

We were very impressed with Andrea’s energy and her detailed grasp of policy and we wish her all the best, however, BerniePDX members chose to throw their support behind Jo Ann Hardesty for City Commissioner, Position 3. Jo Ann has long been one of the strongest voices for justice in our community, and Portland needs the wealth of experience and diverse perspective Jo Ann will bring to the table.

Sign up to volunteer / donate @ joannforportland.com

For Oregon HD 37, BerniePDX is proud to endorse Rachel Prusak for State Representative.

It’s time to kick out of office Representative Julie Parrish, main architect of Measure 101, and Rachel Prusak is the woman for the job! As a nurse and healthcare advocate, Rachel has too many times witnessed “the tragedy forced upon us by those in power who don’t believe that health care is a human right.” She will bring much needed expertise, compassion and unstoppable determination to the Oregon House.

Sign up to volunteer / donate @ rachelforstaterep.com

Meet the candidates vying to replace Senator Rod Monroe in Senate District 24: Kayse Jama & Shemia Fagan.

Ask them your questions, hear about why they’re running, and their plans for our state! Afterwards, we’ll send out an endorsement poll via email for you to cast your vote.

ABOUT KAYSE JAMA:

Kayse Jama, Executive Director of Unite Oregon, was born into a nomad family in Somalia. He left when the civil war erupted, and finally found sanctuary in Portland. From 2005 to 2007, he trained immigrant and refugee community leaders in five Western states—Oregon, Washington, Nevada, Utah and Idaho—under a prestigious New Voices Fellowship at Western States Center. He has been awarded the Skidmore Prize for outstanding young nonprofit professionals (2007), the Oregon Immigrant Achievement Award from Oregon chapter of the Immigration Lawyers Association (2008), the 2009 Loweein Trust Award, which is presented yearly to “that person who demonstrated the greatest contribution to assisting the poor and underprivileged in Portland,” and the 2012 Portland Peace Prize.

ABOUT SHEMIA FAGAN:

As a mom and a civil rights attorney, Shemia has a proven record of standing up for working families with an unparalleled sense of urgency. Oregon’s greatest challenges like housing, education, and healthcare are more than just empty statistics for Shemia. For most of Shemia’s childhood her mother was homeless in East Portland. She was raised by her father who struggled to provide food and healthcare. Thanks to great Oregon schools, Shemia was able to put herself through college and law school. Her first legal job was as a pro-bono attorney for Oregonian’s facing evictions to ensure that their rights were being upheld. On the David Douglas school board and in the Oregon House Shemia lead the fight to protect Oregonians’ healthcare, raise the minimum wage, and fully fund our schools. Today, Shemia is running to bring that fight to the Oregon Senate on behalf of East Portland.

Tuesday, Jan. 16, 6:45 – 9:15 pm: Meet the potential BerniePDX Portland City Council candidates of 2018: Julia DeGraw (Pos. 2), Jo Ann Hardesty (Pos. 3), & Andrea Valderrama (Pos. 3)! Meet the candidates, ask them your questions, and hear about their plans for our City!

ABOUT JULIA DeGRAW:

Julia DeGraw is running for Portland City Council (Position 2) because it’s time for City Hall to prioritize the needs of the people over developer profits, corporate interests, and complacent politicians. Julia has a history of winning campaigns that do this, like preventing Nestlé from bottling public water in the Gorge. Join Julia in creating a bold future for Portland that includes a home for everyone in need, living wage jobs & union rights for workers, and permanent Net Neutrality with municipal broadband. Working with people across the city, we will end Portland’s Jim Crow-era at-large election system by creating City Council districts to achieve equitable representation for all. Julia won’t accept contributions from corporations or developers; she stands with the people. Learn more at julia4pdx.com.

ABOUT JO ANN HARDESTY:

After serving in the Navy, Baltimore native Jo Ann Hardesty found her home in Portland, OR when she began community organizing for Oregon’s Black United Fund in 1990. Jo Ann later served in the Oregon House of Representatives from 1995 to 2001, representing North and Northeast Portland. Jo Ann was elected as president of the NAACP Portland Chapter in 2014, after her efforts to revitalize the oldest civil rights group in Portland. She also is currently a member of the East Portland Action Plan and Vice Chair for the board of Human Solutions. As a community leader and activist, Jo Ann has a long history of standing for the city’s most disadvantaged communities for nearly 30 years. She is a firm believer that opportunities to thrive in Portland should not depend on someone’s zip code or background. Jo Ann is the only candidate who proactively challenged incumbent Dan Saltzman for his City Council seat. Her campaign platform focuses on access to government, green and living wage jobs, affordable housing, and police reform. Learn more at joannforportland.com.

ABOUT ANDREA VALDERRAMA:

Andrea Valderrama is a community leader, a first-generation Peruvian American, a mom, and the first person of color to serve on the David Douglas School Board. Her family came to the United States from Peru as political refugees and worked as day laborers when they arrived in the United States. After her mom survived domestic violence, Andrea grew up in a single parent household and experienced housing and economic instability. She helped support her family by cleaning houses after school and put herself through college, earning a bachelor’s degree from the University of Oregon. Today, Andrea lives in outer East Portland with her partner, two-year old daughter, and rescue dog. As a City Commissioner, her top priorities will include taking immediate action to address our housing crisis, community safety and the livability of our neighborhoods, and increasing the number of good paying jobs in Portland so families can stay, grow, and thrive here. Learn more at valderrama4pdx.com.

–> Can’t make the meeting? Don’t worry, we still want your input! Keep your eyes on your inbox for the BerniePDX candidate endorsement poll.

Location: Waverly Heights Church, 3300 SE Woodward St.