Delegates to the Northwest Oregon Labor Council (NOLC) have decided to sit out the hotly contested primary races for Portland mayor and City Council, Position 1.
It was apparent at NOLC’s monthly meeting Feb. 27 that labor support for mayor varied between the three frontrunners — Eileen Brady, Charlie Hales, and Jefferson Smith.
The incumbent mayor, Sam Adams, is not seeking re-election. There are 19 other candidates filed to run in the nonpartisan election.
Smith, a Democratic state representative from East Portland, has been endorsed by the largest union of city workers, AFSCME Local 189. Businesswoman and New Season’s founder Brady has the support of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 48. And Hales, a former city commissioner, has the backing of United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 555.
A NOLC endorsement requires a two-thirds’ majority vote. The motion from the Executive Board, which delegates passed, was for no action in the primary.
NOLC also stayed out of the race for City Council, Position 1, but not for a lack of trying. The election pits incumbent union member Amanda Fritz against challenger Mary Nolan, a Democratic state senator from Southwest Portland who has a strong labor voting record in the Legislature.
Separate motions and standing votes were taken, first for a dual endorsement, then for no action, and finally for Nolan. Each motion failed.
Fritz, a member of the Oregon Nurses Association, has the support of her union, along with that of UFCW Local 555 and Communications Workers Local 7901. Nolan has backing from Fire Fighters Local 43, AFSCME Local 189, IBEW Local 48, and others.
NOLC endorsed Steve Novick for Portland City Council, Position 5. The seat is being vacated by Randy Leonard, a former president of Fire Fighters Local 43.
In other political action, NOLC endorsed the Multnomah County Library Levy, Ballot Measure 26-125. Delegates also voted to support the re-election of Multnomah County Commissioners Judy Shiprack and Diane McKeel, and the election of Rod Underhill for district attorney.
In Clackamas County, NOLC took no action in the race for County chair between incumbent Charlotte Lehan, State Rep. Dave Hunt, and County Commissioner Paul Savas. The labor council endorsed Martha Schrader for Position 3, incumbent Jamie Damon for Position 4, and the re-election of Sheriff Craig Roberts.
In Washington County, Commissioner Dick Schouten was endorsed for re-election in District 1. At Metro, Bob Stacey was endorsed in District 6, and no action was taken in District 5, where five candidates have filed.
The primary election is May 15.
