Endorsements

2018 ENDORSEMENTS

BERNIEPDX BALLOT FOR NOV. 2018:

City Council: Jo Ann Hardesty
Multnomah County Judge: Bob Callahan
HD-37: Rachel Prusak

YES on:

26-200 – Campaign Contribution Limits
26-201- Portland Clean Energy Initiative

NO on:

103 – Misleading, permanent corporate tax dodge; NOT about groceries
104 – Requires supermajority for any funding measure (Koch brothers amendment)
105 – Repeals Oregon Sanctuary Law
106 – Restricts abortion access & reproductive healthcare for low-income women

Note: BerniePDX did not have an endorsement vote for measures 26-199 & 102 (affordable housing) due to timing and capacity. However, many members have said they are voting yes.

November 2018 Endorsements: 

JoAnn Hardesty for Portland City Council Position 3

If you do want to bring Bernie’s Revolution to Portland, now is the time, before the November 6 elections, to support Jo Ann Hardesty for Portland City Council (position 3) with your time, money and energy! 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

Portland Ballot Measures: Portland Clean Energy Fund and Honest Elections

Rachel Prusak for State Representative (HD 37)

It’s time to kick out of office Representative Julie Parrish, main architect of Measure 101! As a nurse and universal healthcare advocate, Rachel has 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 determination to the Oregon House.

Sign up to volunteer / donate @ rachelforstaterep.com

Bob Callahan for for Multnomah County Circuit Court Judge Position 30

Bob was born and raised in Portland and has 30 years of experience in the courtroom. His pro bono work included representing members of Occupy Portland. Bob supports Multnomah County’s Sanctuary policy, is against private prisons, and doesn’t accept any campaign contributions from corporations or CEOs. Mass incarceration is a serious problem, and Bob understands that prison is not always the answer.

Bob was an Oregon state Bernie Sanders delegate in 2016. Bernie said we need people to run for office at all levels, and Bob is one of the many individuals answering that call. He is the only candidate challenging a Multnomah County Circuit Court judge in November.

Get involved & donate at www.electbobcallahan.com

BerniePDX is proud to endorse Measure 101!

We believe that every Oregonian deserves healthcare! All of us deserve to be able to go to the doctor when we are sick and get medication when we need it. Measure 101 protects the healthcare of the 1 in 4 Oregonians who rely on Medicaid (including 400,000 children). 

If Measure 101 fails, Oregon could be turning away $5 billion in federal matching funds. This will not only devastate our Medicaid system, but will have a ripple effect leading to increased healthcare costs for all Oregonians. BerniePDX urges all of our members to vote Yes on 101 by January 23. Please help get out the vote by volunteering for phone banks and canvasses. Learn more at yesforhealthcare.org.

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2017 ENDORSEMENTS

Bernie PDX members endorse Portland Community College’s Bond Renewal!

As Oregon’s largest institution of higher education, PCC serves more than 75,000 full- and part-time students from all backgrounds each year, and provides unparalleled access to educational opportunities for our community. On the November 7, 2017 ballot, the PCC Board of Directors will ask voters in its service area to consider a bond. Funds from the bond would go directly to addressing repairs, modernizing and renovating facilities, improving safety and replacing outdated technology and equipment.

▪ Vote YES on the Nov. 2017 ballot on the PCC Bond!

▪ Help spread the word!  To order PCC Bond educational brochures or buttons, visit:  https://www.pcc.edu/about/bond/

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Bernie PDX members voted to endorse ballot initiative IP 28!

This measure would amend the Oregon Constitution to allow campaign contribution limits for Oregon races. Such limits have been approved by Oregon voters before (most recently last November when Multnomah County voted >90% to enact campaign financing limits) but never enforced. Oregon’s political races are among the most expensive in the nation, because there are no limits on political contributions/expenditures in the state. In a November 2015 study by The Center for Public Integrity, Oregon was ranked 49th out of 50 for political finance regulation. Only Mississippi was worse.

Bernie famously supported his campaign on $27 donations, and we at Bernie PDX believe that the power of corporations and the wealthy to buy our elections needs to be curbed if our democracy is to survive. We support IP28 and encourage you to get involved:

▪ Visit the campaign’s website: http://honestelectionsoregon.weebly.com/

▪ Help gather petition signatures to qualify this measure for the November 2018 ballot, contact David Delk at davidafd@ymail.com

▪ If you want to make a donation, please email David Delk at davidafd@ymail.com

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Bernie PDX endorses OPPOSING the Rose Quarter Highway Expansion

From No More Freeways PDX (https://nomorefreewayspdx.com/)

This project will have minimal impact on ending Portland’s problem of congestion or traffic fatalities, and will be devastatingly consequential to Portland’s stated goals to lead on climate, provide cleaner air, support healthy communities, build infrastructure for affordable housing and invest resources equitably across the city. (…) Not a single urban freeway expansion in North America has ever solved the problem of congestion, due to a concept that urban planners call “induced demand.” Why are city leaders willing to spend $450 million betting that somehow, the Rose Quarter Freeway Expansion will be any different?

Visit https://nomorefreewayspdx.com/ + like on FB https://www.facebook.com/nomorefreewayspdx/

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Please email or call your county commissioner asking them to vote for Theresa or Neil for HD-38 to replace Ann Lininger!

We have provided an email template below you can copy and paste to make this as quick and easy as possible. Thank you for taking action!

Multnomah County Commissioners:

Deborah Kafoury: mult.chair@multco.us, 503.988.3308
Sharon Meieran: district1@multco.us, 503.988.5220
Loretta Smith: district2@multco.us, 503.988.5219
Jessica Vega Pederson: district3@multco.us, 503.988.5217
Lori Stegmann: district4@multco.us, 503.988.5213

Clackamas Commissioners: bcc@clackamas.us

Email Template:

To: Multnomah Commissioners: mult.chair@multco.us, district1@multco.us, district2@multco.us, district3@multco.us, district4@multco.us
Clackamas Commissioners: bcc@clackamas.us

Dear Commissioners,

As [YOUR CONSTITUENT] or [A RESIDENT OF HD-38] and member of BerniePDX, I ask that you vote for Theresa Kohlhoff or Neil Simon to fill Ann Lininger’s seat in House District 38. Theresa and Neil represent the type of bold progressive leadership needed in Salem to fight for tenants’ rights, corporate tax reform, universal healthcare, and to take meaningful steps to combat climate change. Both candidates understand the importance of grassroots engagement and would bring impressive experience to the legislature.

Theresa has already demonstrated her electability, as she handily won her position on the Lake Oswego City Council in a contested election. Neil serves on multiple committees and has long been involved in politics at both the local and international level. I ask that you vote for Theresa or Neil because we need a grassroots progressive to solve the pressing problems impacting the people of Multnomah and Clackamas County.

I appreciate you taking the time to read this and look forward to hearing back regarding who you plan to support for House District 38.

Sincerely,
[YOUR NAME]
[YOUR ADDRESS]

BerniePDX endorses Theresa Kohlhoff and Neil Simon for State Representative to fill Ann Lininger’s seat in House District 38.

Neil and Theresa have a good handle on the issues that BerniePDX believes are most important for Oregonians. They are in favor of raising corporate taxes to pay for essential public services like education and healthcare. They support Single-Payer Medicare-for-All, enacting campaign contribution limits, and lifting the statewide pre-emptive ban on rent control.

Neil has been involved in progressive politics for many years, from the local to international level. Theresa, a Lake Oswego City Councilor, handily won her seat in a contested race without compromising her progressive values. We are confident that if appointed, either candidate would be able to keep their seat in the legislature against a Republican opponent in the 2018 election. We encourage the Precinct Committee Persons in HD-38 as well as the Multnomah and Clackamas County Commissioners to vote for Theresa Kohlhoff or Neil Simon.

Meet the candidates and find out how to help at our next BerniePDX meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 15, 7-9pm at 5040 SE Milwuakie Ave. 

View the BerniePDX candidate endorsement questionnaire for this race here.

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May 16, 2017: PCC Board and School Boards Elections + PPS Bond Measure 26-193

We need to get people running for office at every level of government, because what happens at the state level and the community level is very important. That’s what I mean when when I say we need a revitalization of American democracy.              -Bernie Sanders (CSPAN, June 22, 2016).

BerniePDX Ballot Party Results:

✓ Portland School Board: Rita Moore, Scott Bailey, Joseph Simonis
✓ YES on 26-193 (School Bond)
✓ YES on 26-189 (Increases Auditor’s Independence)
✓ YES on 26-194 (Tax on short-term rentals)
✓ PCC (Zone 5): Valdez Bravo
✓ David Douglas School Board: Stephanie D. Stephens & Ana Del Rocío

Sign your ballot envelope and drop it off by 8:00pm TUESDAY, and please remind your friends! 

– List of Multnomah County dropboxes: https://multco.us/elections/multnomah-county-official-ballot-drop-sites
– Or search by address: http://sos.oregon.gov/voting/Pages/drop-box-locator.aspx
– BerniePDX voting recommendations: www.BerniePDX.us/our-endorsees

It’s too late to mail your ballot. Thanks for voting!

Valdez Bravo for PCC Board (zone 5)

Long time BerniePDX member Valdez Bravo is running for a position on the Portland Community College School board of directors, representing zone 5 (SW Portland, Sylvania campus + parts of Beaverton). In his own words:

As a veteran, a Latino, and a first-generation college student, I will be a strong advocate for underrepresented communities on the PCC Board of Directors.

As a former PCC student, instructor, and advisory board member, I believe I have the perspective and skills to be an effective advocate for the diverse members of the PCC community.

PCC changed my life. I’m now a healthcare professional serving my fellow veterans. I’m running to make sure PCC remains what it was for me: A college that opens up new worlds and economic opportunities for all.

Rita Moore for Portland Public Schools (position 4)

Rita Moore earned our endorsement because of her passionate advocacy for public education, her long experience with PPS as mother, activist, and advisor, and her real understanding of PPS’s critical issues that need resolved. Rita’s four priority areas are:

Equity: Keep equity at the center, focusing on strong execution of proven strategies that keep students engaged and improve outcomes.

Strong fiscal management and transparency: Ensure that our budget is aligned with our values and grounded in a longer-term, strategic perspective.

Health and safety: Pass a second Bond to rebuild our schools. Establish and maintain a realistic annual maintenance budget to halt the deterioration of our facilities.

Good governance and Board effectiveness: Build a new culture of collaboration and transparency that focuses on serving students.

Scott Bailey for Portland Public Schools (position 5)

Scott grew up in Northeast Portland, in the same neighborhood where he now lives. He graduated from Grant High School, and went on to Oregon State, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in Liberal Studies, with honors. For almost 20 years, Scott has volunteered as a school activist, working for changes at the district level that improve education for all students, especially those who have been historically under-served in our schools.

“Imagine a district that brings its racial equity work all the way down into the classroom, and gives our teachers the tools they need to bridge the achievement gap. Imagine a district that finds the sweet spot of optimal inclusion of our children with special needs in regular classrooms. Imagine a district that builds on our growing number of immigrant students to go fully bilingual. Imagine a district that meets the intellectual and social needs of our academically accelerated students.”

Yes on PPS Bond Measure 26-193

Portland Public Schools are in serious need of repair and upgrade to address safety issues (getting school buildings up to seismic standards) and public health issues (like lead in schools’ water fountains). Vote yes on Measure 26-193 to provide PPS with the funds necessary to make our public schools safe and healthy so our children can thrive. You can read more about the proposed Bond package here.

Stephanie Stephens for David Douglas School Board (position 2)

Stephanie knows how to build inclusive, community-centered education policy. As the co-founder of a statewide social justice nonprofit, she’s spent nearly two decades bringing people together around challenging issues. She encourages diverse voices and points of view and works to build consensus toward positive change. Stephanie’s a champion for children, families, schools, and neighborhoods. Through her work as a grant writer, she has raised millions of dollars for innovative, results-oriented programming.

Ana del Rocío for David Douglas School Board (position 1)

Ana is a daughter of working-class immigrants, a mother of two, a former teacher, and current policy director for Multnomah County. Over the past decade, Ana has been a voice for educational justice. She states, “I’m running for school board to fight so that every child, from every household in our community, will have a fair shot at receiving the great education they deserve.” As a mother, schoolteacher, community organizer, and public policy professional, Ana demonstrates the type of leadership that David Douglas needs now more than ever.

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What can YOU do?

vote!

• PPS board elections are at large and not by district, i.e. if you live within PPS boundaries, you can vote for Rita Moore and for Scott Bailey!
• PCC board elections are by district: you can vote for Valdez Bravo if you live in district 5 (find out on the District Map)

volunteer!

• Canvass for BerniePDX Endorsees Valdez Bravo for PCC & Rita Moore for Portland Schools!
• Visit campaign websites for more events, to donate time or money:
  • Valdez Bravo: https://www.votevaldezbravo.com/
  • Rita Moore: http://www.mooreforschools.com/
  • Scott Bailey: http://www.scottbaileyforportland.com/
  • Stephanie D. Stephens: http://www.stephforschools.com/
  • Ana del Rocío: https://www.anadelrocio.com/

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2016 ENDORSEMENTS

We are thrilled to announce the Bernie PDX endorsements for 2016! Scroll down to read more about each candidate.

• Chloe Eudaly for Portland City Council
• James Ofsink for Oregon Senate District 21
• Amanda Schroeder for East Multnomah County
• Yes on 26-184: Honest Elections Multnomah County
• Yes On 97: A Better Oregon

We’ll be inviting our endorsees back to our weekly Tuesday meeting so Bernie PDX members can get to know them better, learn how they will change our region for the better, and find out how we can help! Join us every Tuesday, 7:30pm, 5040 SE Milwaukie Ave. Phonebank at 6:00pm.

We believe these candidates and initiatives embody Bernie’s values, and will bring important elements of Bernie’s platform to our region.

The candidates do not accept corporate contributions. Like Bernie, they will work solely in the interests of the people. They are all running grassroots campaigns against establishment opponents backed by big-money donors, like Comcast and wealthy developers. One initiative will make corporations pay their fair share, and the other will enact county-wide campaign finance limits, in a state without any.

Chloe Eudaly for Portland City Council

Chloe Eudaly would be the only renter on City Council and the only member to live on the east side. Chloe is a tenants’ rights advocate, and will fight to enact rent stabilization and an end to no-cause evictions to help keep Portlanders in their homes. She supports Community Workforce Agreements for all city projects to provide economic opportunity for businesses owned by women and people of color, and guarantee a living wage, benefits, and job opportunities for underrepresented populations.

Chloe’s Oregon upbringing instilled in her a deep commitment to environmental justice. She supports a real clean up of the Portland Harbor Superfund Site, and taking action to transition the city to renewable power. As a parent, Chloe sees how Oregon’s schools are suffering, and as a small business owner, she understands how the system is skewed to benefit those at the top. This is why Chloe supports Measure 97, the campaign to make corporations pay their fair share, to keep necessary public services funded.

Chloe Eudaly has owned and operated her mission driven bookstore, Reading Frenzy, for 22 years. She co-founded the Independent Publishing Resource Center and Special Education PTA of Portland. She is a passionate, life-long activist for social and environmental justice, and a fierce disability advocate. She lives with her 15-year old son in Northeast Portland.

Amanda Schroeder for East Multnomah County

Amanda Schroeder is backed by the Northwest Oregon Labor Council, Oregon Nurses Association, and eight union locals. Amanda supports: A fair wage for all workers, more workforce training, and better support for local small businesses. Helping kids show up ready to learn with early education for kids and parents, affordable daycare, and the SUN program. Adequate services in East County to help those with mental health and addiction problems, and those facing homelessness. Safer neighborhoods by addressing threats like gangs and sex trafficking. Providing support to help people choose a better life. A push for investment in East County for better roads, safe bridges, and more sidewalks. And a vibrant community where all are welcome, all can succeed and the shared contributions of our neighbors make it a better place to live.

Amanda is a wife and mother, veteran, lifelong resident of East County, union leader, cancer survivor, and tireless feminist working for the needs of women and families. Amanda works for the Portland VA Regional office. She has held many elected offices within her union, the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE). She was the President of Local 2157 from 2013-2016, and currently serves as the National Women’s Advisory Coordinator for AFGE’s Eleventh District.

Amanda’s strong leadership earned her the Elsie Schrader Outstanding Achievement in Labor in 2012 award, recognizing activism on behalf of women within the labor movement and the advancement of women into leadership roles. Some of Amanda’s most notable achievements include: co-founding the AFGE Eleventh District Support Our Sisters Domestic Violence Community Awareness Project, which has distributed over 1,000 bras and over 5,000 dignity kits nationwide; serving as a member of AFGE’s National Human Rights Committee; testifying on behalf of AFGE in favor of Oregon House Bill 4077, “The Healthy Teen Relationship Act,”; and drafting a marriage equality resolution to bring to AFGE’s National Convention.

James Ofsink for Oregon Senate District 21

James Ofsink is the Green Party and Progressive Party Nominee for Oregon Senate District 21, which is one of the most progressive districts in the state. He has received endorsements by many local progressive champions such as Julian Bell, Seth Woolley, Teressa Raiford, Cameron Whitten, Gregory McKelvey, Juan Rogel and many more. Oregon needs leaders in the Senate who will be out in front championing policies to help workers and families get ahead. With the scale of problems to tackle and with only 30 Senators, passive support is not enough to make progressive policies a reality.

This has been a historic year, where Bernie Sanders campaigned on a very progressive agenda and helped move the entire political conversation to the left. James believes that we don’t need to wait for liberals to come from across the country, we can grow our very own independent progressives at home where it matters most.

While the Democrats hold majorities in both chambers as well as the governorship, Oregon has failed to live up to it’s potential as a progressive model for the rest of the nation. If elected, James will immediately work towards single-payer healthcare, lifting the preemptions on rent control, comprehensive campaign finance reform, and economic inequality.

James helped thousands of students achieve their educational goals and was responsible for over $250M per year in federal, state, and institutional funding as part of his work at Portland State University. He led the Redistricting Matters Coalition to pass several bills relating to redistricting reform, and worked on youth civic engagement and good government reforms through the City Club of Portland. He joined the board of directors for the League of Women Voters of Portland and has hosted their voter forums during election season. He helped coordinate Hack Oregon’s Behind the Curtain tool to make political spending in Oregon more transparent to the public. In 2016 he was appointed to the Tax Supervising and Conservation Commission, providing citizen oversight on the budgets of the largest tax districts in the state.

Yes on Measure 97: A Better Oregon

Oregon has the lowest corporate tax rates in the country. Measure 97 increases the corporate minimum tax for the largest corporations doing business in Oregon — C Corporations with more than $25 million in Oregon sales. The measure requires new revenue to be directed to schools, healthcare, and senior services. By raising the corporate minimum tax for some of the world’s largest corporations, we can invest in the Oregon that working families deserve.

Oregon families deserve good schools and affordable healthcare. We have the 4th lowest high school graduation rate in the nation; nearly 400,000 Oregonians lack health coverage; and more and more seniors are retiring into poverty. Our schools and services are suffering because large corporations like Comcast, Monsanto, and Bank of America pay lower taxes here than anywhere else in the country. Measure 97 makes large corporations pay their fair share.

Yes on Measure 26-184: Honest Elections Multnomah County

There are NO campaign finance limits in Oregon! This measure aims to change that — and it’s starting with Oregon’s largest county. Big money in politics weakens our democratic institutions, undermines confidence in government and excludes the vast majority of citizens from seeking public office. Yes on 26-184 keeps Multnomah County of, by and for the people by: 1) Limiting the influence of big money in Multnomah County, 2) Empowering ordinary voters and candidates not beholden to big money, and 3) Increasing transparency and accountability.

Ballot aims to limit the influence of big money in all Multnomah County races, such as county commissioner. Currently, there is no limit to the amount of money an individual or political organization can give to a candidate seeking office in Multnomah County. A win for Yes on 26-184 would establish a new campaign contribution limit of $500 for individuals and political action committees (PACs). It also will require that political advertisements relating to candidates disclose the identify of the ads top 5 funders. The main goal of the ballot measure is to create a more level playing field for candidates without ties to big money interests while helping to restore public trust in government.

Key Provisions:

• Limits campaign contributions from individuals and Political Action Committees (PACs) to $500 for Multnomah County candidates
• Requires advertisements in support or against Multnomah County candidates to disclose the top 5 funders of the ad
• Places limits on independent expenditures by individuals and PACs