There’s a low-key election this Nov. 4. Oregon voters have a “special” election with no candidates, just local ballot measures. Washington voters will decide among candidates who made it to the runoff for contested local elected offices. Turnout will be low on both sides of the river, so union households can make a difference — if they vote.
What follows is a list of campaigns that have the support of one or more labor organizations.
OREGON
City of Portland
Measure 26-260
VOTE YES Measure 26-260 is a referral to voters from Portland City Council, which voted unanimously to support it. It renews and expands an expiring property tax levy that pays for park and recreation services. The renewed levy will fund daily maintenance (restrooms, trails, trash removal), safety patrols, facility repairs, and natural area protection like tree planting and wildfire mitigation. It would also sustain free or low-cost recreation programs for low-income families. If the measure fails, the parks and recreation bureau budget would be cut by about half. Endorsed by Northwest Oregon Labor Council, AFSCME Local 189, Fire Fighters Local 43, IBEW Local 48, Ironworkers Local 29, Laborers Local 483, Protec17, SEIU, Portland Association of Teachers, Portland Police Association portlandersforparks.org
WASHINGTON
State Ballot Measure
Measure 8201
VOTE YES Measure 8201 is a referral to voters from the state legislature. Overwhelming majorities from both parties in the state house and senate voted to approve it. It amends the state constitution to allow money that is held in the state fund for long-term care to be invested to earn higher returns. The state constitution currently says state money can only be invested in bonds, not stocks, but it creates exceptions for state worker pension and workers’ comp funds. In 2019 the state established a new program to pay for long-term care for senior and disabled residents. Measure 8201 would allow its funds to be invested to produce higher returns also. Endorsed by Washington State Labor Council, AFSCME Council 28, Machinists District 751, Protec17, SEIU locals 6, 775, 925, and 1199NW, Teamsters Local 117, UAW, UFCW locals 367 and 3000, Washington State Council of Fire Fighters, Washington State Nurses Association
City of Vancouver
Mayor
Anne McEnerny-Ogle, the incumbent, is a retired public school teacher who has been serving Vancouver for decades as a tireless volunteer, including from 2014 to 2018 on city council and since 2018 as mayor. Seeking a third term as mayor, she faces a challenge from perennial candidate Justin Forsman. It’s hard to imagine a mayor who’s harder working or tighter with the local labor community than “Mayor Anne.” McEnerny-Ogle is a regular at Southwest Washington Central Labor Council meetings, delivering detailed updates on city government and taking questions from union delegates. Endorsed by SW Washington Central Labor Council, Fire Fighters Local 452, IBEW Local 48, Ironworkers Local 29, Laborers Local 335, Sheet Metal locals 16 and 66, SEIU Local 775, Vancouver Police Officers Guild AnneOgle.com
City Council Position 1
Kim D Harless, the incumbent, has held the office since 2022. Harless works at the Native American Youth and Family Center as a policy advocacy and community engagement manager. She faces challenger Pooneh Gray. Endorsed by SW Washington Central Labor Council, Fire Fighters Local 452, SEIU locals 925 and 775, Vancouver Police Officers Guild, Washington Education Association VoteKimHarless.com
City Council Position 2
Eric Paulsen, the incumbent, is a retired banker seeking a third term. Challenger Derek Thompson didn’t even fully fill out his voter pamphlet statement. Endorsed by Fire Fighters Local 452, Washington Education Association ep4cc.com
City Council Position 3
Diana Perez, the incumbent, is a 17-year Forest Service employee. Challenger Robert Elkin is a 20-year-old who didn’t report any work experience in his voters guide submission. Endorsed by SW Washington Central Labor Council, Fire Fighters Local 452, IBEW Local 48 electdianaperez.com
City of Longview
Longview City Council, Position 7
Wayne Nichols retired in 2017 after 41 years at the Weyerhaeuser mill. For decades he served as a union officer negotiating union contracts as part of Association of Western Pulp and Paper Workers. He’s challenging incumbent Spencer Boudreau. Endorsed by Cowlitz-Wahkiakum Central Labor Council, Longview/Kelso Building Trades Council, Fire Fighters Local 828, IBEW Local 48, UA Local 26, UFCW Local 555, Washington Education Association. wayne4longview.com
Camas/Washougal Port District
Commissioner, District 1
Brad Richardson is executive director of the Clark County Historical Museum and former president of the Vancouver Rotary Club. Endorsed by SW Washington Central Labor Council bradforport.com
Vancouver School District
Commissioner, Position 3
Wendy Smith is a civics teacher for Evergreen Public Schools and an incumbent school board member who has served since 2017. Endorsed by SW Washington Central Labor Council, IBEW Local 48 ElectWendySmith.com
Woodland School District
Commissioner, District 3
Stephen Blum is an engineer and technical manager at Intel. Endorsed by SW Washington Central Labor Council, IBEW Local 48, Washington Education Association vote4blum.com
I’M UNION AND I VOTE
Oregon ballots were mailed out Oct. 15 and must be received or postmarked by 8 p.m. Nov. 4. Washington ballots were mailed out today (Oct. 17) and must be received or postmarked by Nov. 4.
