How this guide works
This union-focused ballot guide tries to keep it simple. It lists only campaigns that have at least one union endorsing them. Candidates who are running unopposed are not listed because this guide is meant to help voters choose between alternatives.
Note that unions didn’t take positions on every measure or candidate race, and sometimes, different unions came to different conclusions about which campaigns to endorse.
For partisan offices, the political party appears next to candidates’ names: D for Democratic, R for Republican, I for independent and WFP for Working Families Party.
Following each name is a list of union endorsers and a link to the campaign website, if they have one. [Acronyms are in the Oregon and Washington legends below.] If the acronym stands alone, the endorsement is by the organization’s statewide or regional body. If there’s a number next to it, the endorsement is by an affiliated local. (For example, IBEW 48 means Local 48 of the electrical workers union.)
In each entry, AFL-CIO councils and Building Trades councils are listed first. Because those are coalitions of unions, their endorsement means that at least half and sometimes two-thirds of affiliated unions were in support. Endorsements by the Oregon Working Families Party in nonpartisan races are listed last because it’s a minor political party, not a labor organization, but it is supported and led by unions in coalition with other groups.
We also note when a candidate is a current or former union member. For candidates in Oregon, we note when they’re graduated of the Oregon Labor Candidate School, a union-backed training program that is meant to help more union members get into public office. Wanna see your name in this list in a future election? Or know a fellow union member who really ought to run for office? Find out more at oregonlaborcandidateschool.org.
Since 2020, some candidates in Oregon have signed a pledge refusing to accept the support or endorsement of police unions; we note those.
Processes for making endorsements vary union by union, but collectively, the union endorsements in this guide represent many thousands of hours of effort by union volunteers, officers and staff interviewing and evaluating the choices.
Why doesn’t the Northwest Labor Press make endorsements?
As a newspaper governed by and accountable to several dozen local labor organizations, it wouldn’t be proper for the Labor Press to make its own election endorsements. Instead, we report as comprehensively as we can on local union endorsements, and we trust our readers to make their own decisions on how to vote.
SHORTCUTS
OREGON
WASHINGTON
OREGON
FEDERAL OFFICES
U.S. Senate
Jeff Merkley (D, WFP), incumbent, has been in the U.S. Senate since 2009, and is seeking a fourth six-year term. As scored by the national AFL-CIO, he has a 99% lifetime voting record. The son of a union millworker, Merkley has been a strong labor ally since his days as Oregon House speaker and state representative for east Portland. OLF, OBTU jeffmerkley.com
U.S. House
Congressional District 1 (From NW Portland and inner SE Portland to the coast)
Suzanne Bonamici (D, WFP), incumbent, has served in Congress since 2012. Before that she worked as an attorney and served six years in the Oregon Legislature. In Congress, she’s developed a focus on workforce training policy, and she co-chairs the Apprenticeship Caucus and the Career and Technical Education Caucus. She’s also a co-sponsor of the PRO Act (Protecting the Right to Organize), and has a 97% lifetime score from the national AFL-CIO. OLF, OBTU BonamiciForCongress.com
Congressional District 3 (From east Portland to Hood River)
Maxine Dexter (D), incumbent, is a former critical care doctor who’s running for a second term in Congress after two terms as state representative representing Northwest Portland. She has a 100% score from the national AFL-CIO thus far. OLF, OBTU MaxineforOregon.com
Congressional District 4 (Eugene to Central/South Coast)
Val Hoyle (D, WFP), incumbent, is seeking a third two-year term. After working in sales and marketing for the Hurley bike trailer company, Hoyle spent nine years in the Oregon House representing Eugene and served as House Majority Leader. She then served one term as Oregon labor commissioner. She has a 100% rating from national AFL-CIO for her two terms in Congress. OLF, OBTU, UFCW 555 ValHoyle.com
Congressional District 5 (Clackamas, Linn, Deschutes counties)
Janelle Bynum (D) is running for a second term. The co-owner of several McDonald’s franchises, she was first elected to Congress two years ago after serving eight years in the Oregon House of Representatives. In the state house, she had a mixed record on labor priorities, voting in favor of a minimum wage increase but joining Republicans to vote against a crackdown on wage theft. In Congress she’s cultivated a reputation as a moderate Democrat and garnered a 92% rating from the national AFL-CIO. Last month she became the 116th Democrat to cosponsor a Medicare for All bill. OLF, OBTU JanelleBynum.com
Congressional District 6 (Salem, Marion/Polk/Yamhill counties)
Andrea Salinas (D, I) is running for a third term in Congress, and has a 98% pro-labor rating from the national AFL-CIO. She previously served three terms as a state representative representing the Lake Oswego area, and was considered a labor ally there too. OLF, OBTU, AFSCME, IAFF, IAM, IBEW 48, IBT JC 37, IUEC, IW 29, LIUNA 737, OEA, ONA, SEIU, SMART 16, UBC, UA 290 AndreaSalinasForOregon.com
STATE OFFICES
Governor
Tina Kotek (D, WFP) is broadly backed by organized labor in her race for a second four-year term. A notable exception is the teachers union Oregon Education Association, which backed her heavily four years ago but this year made no endorsement for governor. On the other hand, Oregon AFSCME, which passed on endorsing her in 2022, is backing her this year.
Kotek faces a challenge from Republican state senator Christine Drazan, a former restaurant industry lobbyist who represented Canby in the state house from 2019 to 2022 and served as House minority leader. Drazan returned to the House for 10 months in 2025 and then was appointed to the Oregon Senate seat vacated when the Trump administration briefly put forward Republican Minority Leader Daniel Bonham for a Labor Department post.
This is the second time Kotek and Drazan have competed for governor: In 2022 Kotek won with 47% of the vote, compared with 44% for Drazan and 9% for Independent Betsy Johnson.
Kotek came to the governor’s office after a strongly pro-worker 15-year career in the state legislature. She served as a state representative from North Portland from 2007 to 2022, and was Oregon House Speaker for a decade.
As speaker she helped pass laws that raised the minimum wage to $14.50 and tied it to inflation, mandated paid sick time for employers with 10 or more workers, set up a system of paid family and medical leave, and established the union wage as the prevailing wage on state-funded construction projects. All of those union-backed laws were major wins for working people.
Her record as speaker also sometimes drew criticism from union members, including her push to trim public employee retirement benefits as part of a compromise with business groups to secure the Student Success Act, a major school funding measure.
Unlike when she was house speaker, Kotek as governor hasn’t shown up to any strike picket lines, but she did urge Providence to settle a nurses strike and push both union and management to settle the 2023 teacher strike at Portland Public Schools.
In September 2024, Kotek called on the federal government to cancel plans to auction a lease for wind development off the Southern Oregon coast after opposition from tribal fishing interests, dashing hopes for construction jobs in an economically depressed area.
In December 2024, Kotek issued an executive order requiring the use of union-friendly project labor agreements on state construction projects. But after the contractor group AGC sued, it was struck down in court.
As governor, Kotek supported labor commissioner Christina Stephenson’s request for biggest increase in a generation to the budget of the Bureau of Labor and Industries, which enforces labor laws.
Lately, her ear has turned more toward business interests. In January she created a 15-member “Prosperity Council” to offer recommendations on how to improve economic growth. Heavily stacked with business leaders, it recommended cutting taxes on corporations and the estates of the wealthy, increasing several kinds of corporate tax breaks, and slashing “regulations” by the arbitrary figure of 20%. Those recommendations are supposedly going to be the starting point of her 2027 legislative agenda. Drazan says she supports those recommendations and faults the governor for not immediately implementing them.
Kotek has also criticized Multnomah County’s tax on high income earners, which is the dedicated funding source for its program of universal preschool.
Both Kotek and Drazan were supporters of data center construction, and then became critics as a public backlash grew in response to the AI-fueled data center boom. Drazan voted against a law that requires data centers that consume more than 20 MW of energy to pay the cost of adding electric generation to meet their demand for power.
But Kotek’s greatest service to organized labor as governor may have been her pen. Whatever labor advocates could get through the Democratic-majority legislature, Kotek could be counted on to sign. That included 2023 laws mandating tougher penalties for employer that flout worker safety, establishing safe nurse-to-patient staffing ratios in hospitals, and funding an I-5 replacement bridge. In 2025 it included a law allowing striking workers to collect up to 10 weeks of unemployment benefits, and a law making general contractors jointly responsible for wage theft by subcontractors.
Each of those was a major legislative win for labor. That’s why whatever disappointments union supporters have had, the stakes are high for her to win re-election. Every one of labor’s top-priority bills was opposed by most or all Republican legislators, and during her time in the legislature, Drazan voted consistently with the majority of her party.
For example, in 2025, Drazan voted against the bill allowing strikers to collect unemployment insurance, the bill to crack down on wage theft in construction, and a bill that expanded the state prevailing wage.
In an Oct. 1 debate between the two of them, Drazan suggested Kotek “paid off” her union supporters by signing the striker unemployment bill.
That record suggests that if Drazan had been governor she would have vetoed nearly every single labor priority. A Drazan win this November could mean pro-worker reform ideas are frozen for four years.
OLF, OBTU, AFSCME, AFT-Oregon, ATU 757, IAFF, IAM W24, IBEW 48, ILWU, IUPAT DC 5, IW 29, LIUNA, ONA, OSEA, SEIU, SMART 16, UA 290, UBC, UFCW 555
tinafororegon.com
State Senator
The Oregon State Senate has 30 members. They serve four-year terms, and half of the seats are up for election every two years. Right now Democrats hold an 18-12 majority. Of the 15 seats up for election this year, five have no incumbents.
3rd District (Ashland, Southern Oregon)
Denise Krause (D), a health care consultant, serves on the board of the Rogue Valley Transportation District and led an unsuccessful ballot measure campaign to expand the Jackson County commission and make it nonpartisan. She’s running for the seat currently held by Democrat Jeff Golden, who opted not to seek reelection. She faces Republican Brad Hicks, a former leader of the local business lobby, in a district that leans Democratic but is considered competitive, especially now that a group led by billionaire Phil Knight has contributed $789,000 to Hicks’ campaign. OLF, AFSCME, AFT, ATU 757, IBT JC 37, IW 29, LIUNA, OEA, ONA, OSEA, SEIU 503, UBC, UFCW 555 denisekrause.com
6th District (rural Lane County east of Eugene)
Sierrah Williams (D, WFP), a nutritionist, faces Republican rancher Jack Tibbetts in a heavily Republican district for the seat currently held by Republican Cedric Hayden, who is barred under a voter-approved state law from seeking reelection for his participation in a 2023 legislative walkout. OSEA, SEIU sierrahwilliams.com
7th District (North Eugene)
James Manning Jr. (D, I, WFP) incumbent, has served in the state senate since 2016. A former corrections and police officer, he served in the U.S. Army from 1983 through 2007. He earned a “platinum” ranking from the Oregon Labor Federation in 2021 but was unranked in the 2025 legislative session. OLF, OBTU, AFT, IAFF 851, IW 29, ONA, SEIU 503, UA 290, UBC votejamesmanning.com
8th District (Corvallis)
Sara Gelser Blouin (D) has served in the legislature since 2005, first as state representative for Corvallis and then as state senator for District 8 since 2015. She earned a “gold” ranking from the AFL-CIO for the 2025 session. OLF, OBTU, AFSCME, AFT, ONA SaraGelser.com
10th District (Salem)
Deb Patterson (D, WFP), incumbent, is a union home health care provider, an active member of SEIU Local 503, and a graduate of the Oregon Labor Candidate School. She earned a “gold” rating for her legislative record during the 2025 session. OLF, OBTU, AAUP, AFSCME, AFT, AFSCME, IAFF, IBEW 48, IW 29, LIUNA, OEA, OSEA, ONA, SEIU, UA 290, UBC, UFCW 555, WFP DebPattersonOR.org
11th District (Woodburn/Keizer)
Virginia Stapleton (D, WFP) is an administrative supervisor at Willamette University and a former Salem City Councilor. She got 48% of the vote in a 2024 challenge to incumbent Republican state representative Kevin Mannix. Now she’s running for the senate seat currently held by Republican Kim Thatcher, who is barred from reelection for participating in the 2023 legislative walkout. Stapleton faces dental assistant and former Republican state rep Tracy Cramer in a district that’s considered competitive. Nike billionaire Phil Knight has put more than $980,000 into Cramer’s campaign this year. OLF, OBTU, AFSCME, IW 29, LiUNA, ONA, SEIU 503 (dual), SMART, UA 290, UBC, UFCW 555 electvirginiastapleton.com
13th District (Wilsonville)
Courtney Neron Misslin (D, WFP) was appointed to the state senate in May 2025 after six years in the state house. She’s a former high school teacher in the Tigard-Tualatin School District. She was unranked by the Oregon Labor Federation after the 2025 session, during which she waffled on its top-priority bill, voting against striker unemployment benefits until the bill was watered down. OLF, OBTU, AFSCME, IW 29, LIUNA, OEA, OFNHP, ONA, OSEA, Oregon State Police Officers Association, SEIU, SMART, UBC courtneyfororegon.com
15th District (Hillsboro)
Myrna Muñoz (D, WFP), a former teacher, is a bilingual education consultant at Oregon Department of Education and a member of SEIU Local 503. She’s also the sister of state rep Lesly Muñoz (D-Woodburn). She defeated incumbent Janeen Sollman in the Democratic primary this year. She supports a moratorium on data centers. signed ‘no police union money’ pledge OLF, AFSCME, AFT, AFT/PCCFFAP, CWA 7901, OEA, OFNHP, ONA, SEIU 503, UFCW 555 myrnaforsenate.com
16th District (North Coast)
Rachel Armitage (D) is a former Oregon legislative staffer who was appointed to the position in January 2022 but did not run for reelection that year. She currently works at the Yankton Store in St. Helens, a restaurant and market. She faces Republican Courtney Bangs, a substitute teacher and Clatsop County Commissioner who has raised close to $500,000, much of it from billionaire Phil Knight; Armitage is far behind, having raised about $83,000. The district leans Republican but is considered competitive this year. CPBCTC, IBEW 48, IBT JC 37, OEA, SEIU, UA 290, UFCW 555 senatedistrict16.com
17th District (Portland/Beaverton)
Lisa Reynolds (D), the incumbent, is a pediatrician who served two terms in the Oregon House before being appointed to fill the seat vacated when Elizabeth Steiner won election as state treasurer in 2024. OLF, OBTU, AFSCME, IAFF, OEA/BEA, OEA/PAT, OFNHP, ONA, SEIU, UBC, UFCW 555 lisafororegon.com
19th District (Lake Oswego)
Rob Wagner (D), the incumbent, serves as senate president. He has represented District 19 since 2018. Prior to holding elected office, Wagner was a legislative aide and later political director for AFT-Oregon. He earned a “gold” rating from the Oregon AFL-CIO for the 2025 session. OLF, OBTU, AFSCME, IAFF, ONA robwagnerfororegon.com
20th District (Canby)
Mark Meek (D), a real estate broker and former pub owner, is running for a second term in the senate after previously serving six years in the House. In both chambers he’s had a lukewarm labor record. In 2018 he voted against a crackdown on wage theft in construction. He was unranked by the Oregon Labor Federation for the 2025 session, during which he waffled on the striker unemployment bill: He sponsored it, then voted against it, then voted for a watered-down version. Four years ago he won his seat with a razor-thin margin against Bill Kennemer in what still stands as the most expensive race for state legislature of all time: $4.84 million. This year he faces what appears to be a token challenge by Republican child care provider Michele Stroh. IAFF, ONA, UBC, UFCW 555 VoteMarkMeek.com
26th District (Hood River to Sandy)
Nicole Bassett (D, I, WFP) is a business consultant advising apparel companies on sustainable practices. She faces Republican state rep Jeff Helfrich for the seat currently held by Republican Christine Drazan, who’s running for governor. It’s considered highly competitive race, with both sides raising over $200,000. AAUP, AFSCME, AFT, IBT JC 37, SEIU bassettfororegon.com
Jeff Helfrich (R), an Air Force veteran, is a retired Portland Police sergeant. He served as the state rep for Hood River’s House District 52 since 2023. He’s backed by numerous business groups and corporations and by two unions, but doesn’t list any of them on his campaign website. IAFF 1159, UFCW 555 helfrichfororegon.com
State Representative
The Oregon House of Representatives has 60 members. They serve two-year terms and are up for election every two years. Right now Democrats hold a 37-23 majority.
5th District (S Jackson County)
Pam Marsh (D, I) has served in the legislature since 2017. Before that she ran the Ashland food bank, co-owned a mountain lodge, and served on Ashland’s city council and planning commission. She wasn’t ranked by the Oregon Labor Federation after the 2025 session. AFSCME, IAFF, OEA, ONA, UBC representativepammarsh.com
7th District (Springfield)
Kori Rodley (D, WFP) is a Springfield City Council member and works in planning at Lane County Developmental Disabilities Services. She was encouraged to run for state rep by Democrat John Lively, who is retiring. OLF, OBTU AFSCME, AFT, IAFF 851, IBEW 280, IBT 305, IW 29, OEA, ONA, OSEA, SEIU 503, SMART, UBC, UFCW 555, WFP kori-rodley.com
8th District (Central/S Eugene)
Lisa Fragala (D), a one-term incumbent, is a former elementary school teacher and teachers union member. She’s also a former member of the board of Lane Community College, where she helped pass a project labor agreement to use union workers on new construction. Fragala is considered a labor stalwart and earned the Oregon Labor Federation’s “platinum” ranking for the 2025 session. OLF, OBTU, AAUP, AFSCME, AFT, GTFF, IAFF 851, LIUNA, OEA, ONA, OSEA, SEIU, UA 290, UBC LisaFragalaForOregon.com
11th District (Lebanon)
Ivan Maluski (D, I, WFP) is a farmer and rancher on his family farm near Scio. Running for the seat currently held by Republican Jami Cate, he faces Lebanon mayor Ken Jackola, vice president of a local railroad. AFSCME, IBEW 280, IBT JC 37, OSEA, UBC ruralindependent.com
13th District (North Eugene)
Nancy Nathanson (D), incumbent, has served as state rep since 2006, and before that served on Eugene City Council and spent 37 years working for academic libraries. She earned a gold ranking from the Oregon Labor Federation for the 2025 session. OLF, OBTU, AFSCME, AFT, IAFF, OEA, OFNHP, ONA, ORCOPS, UA 290, UBC nancynathanson.org
14th District (Western Eugene)
Julie Fahey (D), incumbent, is speaker of the Oregon House (that chamber’s top leader) and has served as a state rep since 2017. Before serving in the legislature she was a business and HR consultant. She earned a gold rating from the Oregon Labor Federation in its 2025 rankings. OFL, OBTU, AFSCME, AFT, IAFF, IBEW 48, ONA, OSEA, UBC juliefahey.org
15th District (Albany/Millersburg/Tangent)
Joanna Robinson (D, I, WFP) is a project coordinator for behavioral health organizations. She’s challenging Republican incumbent Shelly Boshart Davis OLF, Salem Building Trades, AFSCME, AFT, IBEW 280, IBT JC 37, UBC joannarobinsonfororegon.com
19th District (South Salem)
Tom Andersen (D, I, WFP), the incumbent, is a retired trial attorney. He’s served four years as state rep, and before that for eight years on Salem City Council. OLF, OBTU, AFSCME, AFT, OEA, ONA, SEIU electtomandersen.com
20th District (Monmouth-Salem)
Paul Evans (D, WFP), the incumbent, has represented District 20 since 2015. He’s an Air Force vet and a speech teacher at Chemeketa Community College. He faces a token challenge from state government budget manager Andrew Fudge. OLF, OBTU, AFSCME, AFT, IAFF, LiUNA, OEA, ONA, OSEA, SEIU, UFCW 555 paulevans.org
21st District (Keizer/N Salem)
Michael Welsh (D, WFP) is a safety manager at Sherwin-Williams. He’s challenging Republican incumbent Kevin Mannix in one of this year’s hardest-fought races. Each side has reported about $500,000 in contributions. For Walsh, those are mostly in-kind contributions, and labor organizations are among his lead supporters. OLF, AFSCME, AFT, IBEW 48, IBEW 280 ONA, OSEA, SEIU, UBC welshfororegon.com
Kevin Mannix (R), the incumbent, has been a fixture in Oregon politics since the 1990s. He served in the Oregon Legislature from 1989 to 2000, first as a Democrat and then as a Republican. Since then he’s run unsuccessfully for governor twice and Congress once, and served as Republican party chair from 2003 to 2005. He returned to the legislature in 2023. Mannix may be best known as the author of several successful ballot measures that established mandatory minimum sentences for violent crimes and repeat offenders. Mannix’ reelection campaign is funded primarily by corporations, business groups, and billionaire Phil Knight. Association of Oregon Corrections Employees, IAFF, IAFF 314, ORCOPS, Salem Police Employees Union mannixfororegon.com
22nd District (Woodburn)
Lesly Muñoz (D, I, WFP), the incumbent, is a labor negotiator for the teachers union OEA. She got the top “platinum” ranking from the Oregon Labor Federation after the 2025 session. She faces Republican Noemi Legaspi, a mental health clinician. It’s a highly competitive race. Legaspi has reported over $500,000 in contributions, mostly from the Republican caucus and billionaire Phil Knight. Muñoz has reported about $320,000, with organized labor her biggest source of support. OLF, AFSCME, AFT, IAFF, OEA, ONA, SEIU 503, UBC, UFCW 555 leslymunozoregon.com
25th District (Tigard)
Ben Bowman (D, WFP), the incumbent, is seeking a third term. He’s a former administrator at Gladstone School District and former chair of the Tigard-Tualatin School Board. In the legislature he’s served as House Majority Leader since 2024. He got the top “platinum” ranking from the Oregon Labor Federation after the 2025 session. OLF, OBTU, AFSCME, AFT, LIUNA, OEA, OSEA, UBC, UFCW 555 benfororegon.com
26th District (Tigard/Sherwood/King City)
Sue Rieke Smith (D, I), the incumbent, is retired after a career as a nurse, teacher, and eventually school superintendent for Tigard Tualatin School District and Springfield Public Schools. Oregon Labor Federation gave her its “gold” ranking for the 2025 session. OLF, OBTU, AFSCME, AFT, IAFF 1660, IW 29, LIUNA, OEA, OFNHP, OSEA, SEIU, UA 290, UBC votesueriekesmith.com
27th District (Beaverton)
Tammy Carpenter (D, P, WFP) is a doctor of anesthesiology and serves on the Beaverton School Board. She’s running to succeed retiring incumbent Democrat Ken Helm in a Democratic-leaning district. signed ‘no police union money’ pledge OLF, AAUP/PSU, AFSCME, AFT, AFT/OFNHP, AFT/PCCFFAP, CWA 7901, ILWU, OEA, ONA, OSEA, PCCFFAP, SEIU, WFP tammyfororegon.com
28th District (SW Portland)
Dacia Grayber (D, I, WFP), the incumbent, is a firefighter with Tualatin Valley Fire and Rescue, an active member of IAFF Local 1660, and a graduate of the Oregon Labor Candidate School. Since the moment she arrived in 2021, she’s been labor’s most dedicated champion in the legislature. She now chairs the House Committee on Labor and Workplace Standards, and works both publicly and behind the scenes to push priority labor bills to passage. After the 2025 session not only did she get the Oregon Labor Federation’s top “platinum” ranking but was also named its “legislator of the year.” OLF, OBTU, AAUP, AFSCME, AFT, IAFF, IAFF 43, LIUNA, ONA, ORCOPS, OSEA, SEIU, UBC, UFCW 555 daciafororegon.com
29th District (Hillsboro/Forest Grove)
Susan McLain (D), the incumbent, is a retired speech and debate teacher at Glencoe High School and has served as state rep since 2015. She formerly served on the Metro Council from 1990 to 2007. In 2025 she voted against a building trades union priority, a bill to extend the prevailing wage to custom components assembled off-site. She received no ranking from the Oregon Labor Federation after the session. AFSCME, AFT, IAFF, OEA, ONA, OSEA, SEIU 503, UBC susanmclain.org
30th District (Hillsboro)
Nathan Sosa (D), the incumbent, is a personal injury and civil litigation lawyer who has served as a state rep since 2022. He got the top “platinum” ranking from the Oregon Labor Federation after the 2025 session. OLF, OBTU, AFSCME, AFT nathansosa.com
32nd District (NW Oregon Coast)
Cyrus Javadi (D, I), the incumbent, is a dentist, former Tillamook Port Commissioner and former dental director at the Tillamook County Health Department. He’s served in the legislature since 2023, but notably changed parties in 2025, becoming a Democrat and openly embracing the labor movement immediately after. Now his re-election campaign is shaping up to be possibly the most expensive race this year. Javadi has reported more than $600,000 in contributions, particularly in-kind contributions with labor organizations as his top backers. Republican Max Sherman, a retired teacher, has reported contributions totaling over $960,000, including about $400,000 from billionaire Phil Knight and nearly $250,000 from the Republican caucus. Knight may be particular motivated to oppose Javadi because in 2024 the billionaire’s political action committee contributed nearly $300,000 to Javadi’s campaign as a Republican. OLF, AFSCME, ONA, Oregon State Police Officers Association, SEIU, UFCW 555 cyrusfororegon.com
Max Sherman (R) is a farmer and retired teacher who spent 35 years teaching agriculture, welding, and biology in high schools in Tillamook and Canby. ORCOPS VoteMaxSherman.com
33rd District (NW Portland, Linnton)
Shannon Jones Isadore (D), an incumbent seeking a second term, is a psychotherapist and the owner of Oregon Change Clinic, which provides addiction and mental health to Black and indigenous people. Two years ago, she had the endorsement of six of Oregon’s biggest labor organizations. This year she appears to have just one. That’s because in her freshman term she voted against labor priorities, including bills to expand the prevailing wage and make general contractors responsible for wage theft on their construction projects. SEIU shannonjonesisadore.com
34th District (Cedar Mill, Bethany)
Mari Watanabe (D) was appointed to the state house in January 2025 to fill the vacancy caused by Lisa Reynolds’ election to the state senate. She’s a former Nike employee who spent 11 years working for the Portland Business Alliance and its charitable DEI affiliate, Partners in Diversity. In the 2025 session Watanabe voted against bills to expand the prevailing wage and make general contractors responsible for wage theft. AFSCME, OEA mariwatanabe.com
35th District (Beaverton/Aloha)
Farrah Chaichi (D, WFP), a two-term incumbent, works as an intake coordinator for the Stoel Rives law firm. She earned a gold rating from the Oregon Labor Federation in its most recent rankings. OLF, OBTU, AFT, AFT/OSEA, CWA, OEA (BEA), ONA, IW 29, UFCW 555, WFP chaichifororegon.com
36th District (South Hillsboro/West Beaverton)
Hai Pham (D), the incumbent, is a pediatric dentist and owner of Hi5 Dental. OLF, OBTU, AFSCME, AFT, IAFF, ONA, ORCOPS, UBC, UFCW 555 haifororegon.com
37th District (West Linn/Tualatin)
Jules Walters (D, I, WFP), a two-term incumbent, is former mayor of West Linn. Oregon Labor Federation gave her its gold ranking for the 2023 and 2025 sessions. OLF, OBTU, AFSCME, IAFF, OEA, ONA, SEIU, UBC, UFCW 555 votejules.com
40th District (Gladstone/Oregon City)
Michael Sugar (D, WFP) teaches history at West Linn High School, where he serves as debate coach and leader of his local union. He faces Republican Adam Baker, who ran for the seat in 2022 but lost narrowly to Annessa Hartman. Hartman opted not to run for re-election this year. Sugar’s race is considered a priority for labor. Sugar has reported $213,000 in contributions, with Democratic party and labor groups as his key backers; Baker has raised $65,000 from business and Republican party groups. OLF, OBTU, AFSCME, AFT, AFT/OSEA, IAFF 1159, IBEW 48, IBT JC 37, IW 29, LIUNA, OEA, ONA, Oregon State Police Officers Association, SEIU 503, UA 290, UBC, UFCW 555 sugarfororegon.com
Adam Baker (R) is real estate broker and retired police officer. ORCOPS voteadambaker.com
41st District (Portland-Milwaukie)
Mark Gamba (D, WFP), the incumbent, is running for a third term. He’s a freelance photographer and a former mayor of Milwaukie. He received a gold rating from the Oregon Labor Federation for the 2023 session but no ranking for the 2025 session. OLF, SEIU 503, AFT
42nd District (SE Portland)
Rob Nosse (D), incumbent, spent 20 years as a union organizer and rep, first at SEIU Local 49 and then at Oregon Nurses Association. In 2014 he became one of the first graduates of the Oregon Labor Candidates School to win election. Since then he’s served six two-year terms; now he’s running for a seventh. He’s considered a strong labor voice in the legislature, and got the top “platinum” ranking from the Oregon Labor Federation after the 2025 session. OLF, OBTU, AFSCME, IBEW 48, IBT JC 37, OFNHP, ONA, SEIU, UFCW 555 robnosse.com
43rd District (N/NE Portland)
Tawna Sanchez (D) is a five-term incumbent and director of family services at the Native American Youth and Family Center (NAYA). In the legislature she’s co-chair of the Joint Committee on Ways and Means, which determines the state budget. OBTU, AFSCME, IAFF, ONA, UBC tawnasanchez.com
44th District (N Portland)
Travis Nelson (D, WFP), the incumbent, is a union representative for the Washington State Nurses Association. A registered nurse, he formerly worked at PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center in Vancouver. A graduate of the Oregon Labor Candidate School, he’s been a devoted labor legislator since he first became a state rep in 2022, and got the top “platinum” ranking from the Oregon Labor Federation after the 2025 session. signed ‘no police union money’ pledge OLF, OBTU, AFSCME, AFT, ILWU, LIUNA, ONA, UFCW 555 nelsonfororegon.com
45th District (NE Portland)
Thuy Tran (D, I, WFP) incumbent, is an eye doctor and serves as lieutenant colonel in the Oregon Air National Guard. Serving on Parkrose School Board in 2014, she was the swing vote that prevented privatization of school bus service. OLF, OBTU, AFSCME, IAFF, OEA/PAT, ONA, UBC tranfororegon.com
46th District (SE Portland)
Willy Chotzen (D, WFP), an incumbent seeking a second term, is a attorney who works as a public defender. An AFSCME member until he was promoted into management, he’s also a graduate of the Oregon Labor Candidate School.He was given the top “platinum” ranking from the Oregon Labor Federation after the 2025 session. OLF, OBTU, AAUP, AFSCME, AFT, IAFF, IW 29, LIUNA, OEA, ONA, OSEA, SEIU, UBC chotzenfororegon.com
48th District (SE Portland/N Clackamas)
Lamar Wise (D, I, WFP), the incumbent, was appointed last November to replace late state Rep. Hoa Nguyen, and now faces election. He’s a former political director at the public sector union Oregon AFSCME and now works as special projects director for the union. He faces Republican tech executive salesperson for software security. Andrew Morrison. It’s a competitive district, and Wise has reported nearly $500,000 in contributions, mostly from labor and Democratic party organizations. OLF, OBTU, AAUP, FSCME, AFT, IAFF, IAFF 1159, IAM W24, IBEW 48, IBT JC 37, LIUNA, OEA, OFNHP, ONA, OSEA, SEIU, UBC, UFCW 555 wisefororegon.com
Andrew Morrison (R) is a sales director for a network security company. He ran for the same office in 2024 but failed to win the Republican primary. This year he has raised $140,000, mostly from wealthy individuals, businesses, and Republican party organizations. IUOE 701, ORCOPS, UBC andrewmorrisonfororegon.com
49th District (Troutdale/Fairview/Wood Village/Gresham)
Zach Hudson (D, WFP), the incumbent, is seeking a fourth term. He’s a substitute teacher with a background in special education. Before running for legislature, he served four years as a Troutdale City Council member. The Oregon Labor Federation gave him its “gold” ranking for the 2025 session. OLF, OBTU, AAUP, AFT, AFSCME, IAFF, IAFF 1062, IBT JC 37, LIUNA, OEA, OFNHP, ONA, OSEA, UA 290 UBC SEIU electzachhudson.com
50th District (Gresham)
Ricki Ruiz (D, I), the incumbent, works for the Gresham parks and recreation department. He previously served on the Reynolds School Board and Oregon Hunger Task Force. The Oregon Labor Federation gave him its “gold” ranking for the 2025 session. OLF, OBTU, AFSCME, AFT, IAFF, IAFF 1062, IBT JC 37, ONA, ORCOPS, OSEA, SEIU, SMART 16, UBC, UFCW 555 ricki4oregon.com
51st District (Canby/Estacada/Sandy)
Darla Mead (D, WFP) is a nurse navigator in the thoracic, head, and neck oncology department at OHSU. She’s challenging incumbent Republican insurance agent Matt Bunch OLF, AFSCME, AFT, OEA, ONA, WFP darlameadfororegon.com
52nd District (Hood River and the Dalles)
Hank Sanders (D, I) has spent the last year as a legislative assistant for District 17 state senator Lisa Reynolds, his mother. That came after year-long stints as a journalist at ABC News, the Chicago Tribune, and the New York Times. In May he outpolled two union-backed candidates to win a four-way primary. It’s an open seat because incumbent Republican Jeff Helfrich is running for state senate. Sanders faces Republican Scott Hege. It’s one of the year’s most expensive races: Sanders has reported raisinng close to $350,000, mostly from Democratic party groups and other candidate committees, while Hege has reported $883,000 including close to $500,000 from billionaire Phil Knight. AFSCME, IAFF, OEA, ONA, OSEA, SEIU, UFCW 555 hankfororegon.com
Scott Hege (R) has served on the Wasco County Commission 16 years, currently as chair. ORCOPS, Oregon State Police Officers Association hegefororegon.com
53rd District (Bend/Redmond)
Emerson Levy (D, I), the incumbent, is seeking a fourth term. She’s an adjunct professor teaching natural resource law and policy at the Oregon Institute of Technology. Prior to that, she was an attorney specializing in real estate. She faces Republican Michael Summers, a member of the Redmond School Board. OLF, OBTU, AAUP, AFSCME, IAFF, IBEW 48, IUPAT, LIUNA, ONA, OSPOA, SEIU, SMART 16, UBC, UFCW 555 emersonvotes.com
57th District (Umatilla/Morrow/Wasco/Sherman)
Greg Smith (R) is Oregon’s longest-serving state representative (26 years). In the legislature, Smith has long been considered the most pro-labor Republican. Last year a union-backed bill targeting wage theft would have failed if it wasn’t for him, as he was the only Republican to vote in favor when four Democrats voted no. He also was the only Republican to vote to extend the prevailing wage to off-site fabrication. No Democrat filed to run in the strongly Republican district, but Pacific Green party candidate Josiah Dean will also appear on the ballot. OLF, OBTU, IAFF, IBEW 48, ONA, UBC, UFCW 555 repgregsmith.com
COUNTY OFFICES
Benton County
Commission, Position 1
John Wilson (D) is a member of the Benton County Planning Commission. Cascades to Coast Labor Chapter john-wilson.org
Clackamas County
Commission, Position 2
Paul Savas, the incumbent, has served as commissioner since 2010. He’s the owner of Savas Tuning Systems, an auto parts rebuilding business. In the three-way May primary he got 42% and now faces Mark Shull (25%). Shull served just two years of a term on the Clackamas County Commission and lost a recall election after making disparaging remarks about Muslims and immigrants and comparing vaccine mandates to the Holocaust. NOLC, CPBCTC, AFSCME 350, Clackamas County Peace Officers Association, IAFF 1159, IAFF 1660, IBEW 48, ILWU 8, IUPAT DC 5, IW 29, LIUNA 737, SMART 16, UBC, UFCW 555 electpaulsavas.com
Commission, Position 4
Diana Helm, the incumbent, was appointed in 2025 by fellow commissioners to the position that was held by Melissa Fireside, who is now a fugitive wanted for felony theft. Now Helm, the former mayor of the former city of Damascus, is running to serve the final two years of the term. She also formerly owned a home and garden store. NOLC, IAFF 1159, IBT JC 37, UFCW 555 votedianahelm.com
County Clerk
Catherine McMullen, the incumbent, is seeking a second four-year term as county clerk, where she’s responsible for administering elections and processing marriage, real estate and other records. A former librarian, she was elected to the nonpartisan office Clackamas County Clerk after six years as an elections worker in California and at Multnomah County, where she was active in her union, AFSCME Local 88. NOLC, AFSCME, CCEA, IBEW 48, IBT JC 37, UFCW 555 clackamasvoice.org
Deschutes County
Commission, Position 5
Morgan Schmidt is executive director for the Red Cross of Central and Eastern Oregon and a long-time youth pastor who’s active with the First Presbyterian Church of Bend. Central Oregon Labor Chapter, Central Oregon Building Trades Council, IW 29, SEIU 503, UBC, WFP morganlovesoregon.com
Lane County
Commission, District 5 (East Lane County)
Heather Buch, the incumbent, isrunning for a third four-year term. Before serving as commissioner, she ran a commercial real estate and property management firm and worked on affordable housing for St. Vincent de Paul. Buch came in second place in the May primary, running 1% behind Marine vet Jake Pelroy. The race is hard-fought, with Pelroy reporting nearly $500,000 in contributions, mostly from wood products companies and Buch reporting $390,000, mostly from small donors and some local unions. Lane County Central Labor Chapter, Lane Coos Curry Douglas Counties Building Trades, AFSCME 2831, ATU 757, IAFF 851, IBEW 280, IW 29, LIUNA 737, SEIU 503, SMART 16, UA 290, UBC, WFP heatherbuch.com
Lincoln County
Commission, Position 1
Cathie Rigby is a grant manager for the City of Newport. Cascades to Coast Labor Chapter cathierigby.com
Marion County
Commission, Position 1
Sarah Duncan is a fundraiser for the farmworker advocacy group PCUN and serves on the board of the Salem Area Mass Transit District. signed ‘no police union money’ pledge Cascades to Coast Labor Chapter, Lane Coos Curry Douglas Building Trades, IBEW 280, IBT JC 37, LIUNA/OSIDCL, SEIU 503, SMART, UBC, UFCW 555, WFP duncan4marioncounty.com
Commission, Position 2
Maria Hinojos Pressey is deputy director of the farmworker advocacy group PCUN and serves on the board of the Salem Area Mass Transit District. She’s also a former member of the Salem-Keizer School Board. signed ‘no police union money’ pledge Cascades to Coast Labor Chapter, UFCW 555 maria4oregon.com
Multnomah County
Multnomah County, home to almost one in five Oregonians, is using ranked choice voting for the first time this year. That means voters can rank up to 6 candidates in order of preference instead of choosing only one candidate. Visit multco.us/info/voting-rcv-ballot for more information about how it works.
Chair
It’s an open seat because the current chair, Jessica Vega Pederson, isn’t seeking a second term. Two of the three leading candidates have union endorsements. A third, former two-term county commissioner Sharon Meieran, had union endorsements in the past, but this August she announced that she would not seek the endorsement of any organization to preserve her independence.
Julia Brim-Edwards, a current county commissioner, has broad union backing as a pragmatic voice atop a county government that has a poor reputation for handling its core responsiblities. Those include mental illness and addiction treatment, homeless services, public safety and corrections, and animal shelters. Brim-Edwards’ political resume goes back to 1983 when she became a staffer for Bob Packwood, then a Republican U.S. Senator from Oregon. She served as his communications director, defending him when he was accused of unwanted sexual advances. She later worked as a spokesperson for Republican state house speaker Bev Clarno, and then spent 17 years working for Nike as a lobbyist and executive. During that time she served several terms as a member and chair of the board of Portland Public Schools. As county commisioner during the last four years, she met frequently with AFSCME Local 88, the biggest county union, earning their trust and this year their endorsement. NOLC, CPBCTC, AFSCME 88, IAFF 43, IBEW 48, IBT JC 37, IW 29, LIUNA/OSIDCL, Multnomah County Deputy Sheriffs Association, ONA, SEIU dual #1, UA 290, UBC, UFCW 555 JuliaBrim-Edwards.com
Shannon Singleton is a current county commissioner, winning election in 2022 after 15 years of work on the homeless crisis. She started as a Salvation Army shelter worker, and later worked as program manager at Cascadia Behavioral Healthcare, program coordinator at the Portland Housing Bureau, executive director of homeless nonprofit JOIN, housing policy advisor to governor Kate Brown, and interim director of the Joint Office of Homeless Services. signed ‘no police union money’ pledge OEA/PAT, SEIU dual 2, UNITE HERE 8, WFP shannonsingleton.org
Commissioner, District 2
Serena Cruz is seeking a return to the County Commission after previously serving two terms from 1999 to 2006 (the county charter limits service to two consecutive terms in a 12 year period.) After leaving the county the last time, she led construction and real estate development firms, served as executive director of the Virginia Garcia Memorial Foundation, and was Multnomah County’s chief operating officer for three years. NOLC, CPBCTC, IW 29, OEA/PAT, SEIU, UBC, UFCW 555 serenacruz.com
Bri Williams works for Multnomah County as a mental health consultant partnering with Albina Head Start and is a member of AFSCME Local 88. She previously worked for the county’s Preschool For All program. She co-chairs the county Behavioral Health Department’s equity committee. AFSCME 88, AFT/PCCFFAP #2, SEIU 503, WFP voteforbri.com
Nathan Ong Norris is a stagehand and former hazardous waste worker. signed ‘no police union money’ pledge AAUP/PSU, AFT/PCCFFAP #1, OEA/PAT, WFP nathanongnorris.com
Polk County
Commission, Position 3
Jeremy Gordon is the incumbent commisioner. Cascades to Coast Labor Chapter, UFCW 555 (green light) gordonforpolk.com
Washington County
Chair
Nafisa Fai is a Washington County Commissioner mid-way through her second four-year term representing District 1 from Raleigh Hills to Aloha. She’s also a former public health official with American Red Cross and Upstream Public Health, and a founder of the Pan African Festival. She’s considered a union ally, and had labor backing in her 2020 and 2024 campaigns. This year she’s splitting union endorsements with Treece, who has also cultivated relationships with organized labor. AFSCME, CWA 7901, IBT JC 37, OEA/BEA, SEIU, WFP nafisaforwashingtoncounty.com
Pam Treece is a former bank director and vice president of PacifiCorp (and at one time, a schoolteacher) who has served as Washington County commissioner since 2019. She has decades of civic involvement and is a former director of the business-backed advocacy group Westside Economic Alliance. NOLC, CPBCTC, IAFF 1660, IAFF 2210, IBEW 48, LIUNA 737, UA 290 UBC pamforwashingtoncounty.com
Commission District 4 (western Washington County)
Steve Callaway is a former Oregon City schoolteacher and retired Hillsboro school principal who served two terms as Mayor of Hillsboro and six years on Hillsboro city council. NOLC, CPBCTC, IAFF 1660, IAFF 2210 electstevecallaway.com
CITY OFFICES
Beaverton
City Council Position 1
Evelyn Kocher is communications manager for the Latino Network community group, a member of the Oregon Higher Education Coordinating Commission. She was also campaign manager for Portland City Council member Angelita Morillo. signed ‘no police union money’ pledge AAUP/PSU, AFT/PCCFFAP, OEA/BEA, PSU-AAUP, SEIU 503, SEIU 49, WFP evelynforbeaverton.com
Rachel Philip is a software developer and civic activist. NOLC, IAFF 1660, Beaverton Police Association rachelforbeaverton.com
Eugene
Councilor Ward 5
Athena Aguiar is an environmental activist and fundraiser. AFSCME, AFSCME 1724, AFT, GTFF, SEIU 503, WFP athena4eugene.com
Mike Clark, the incumbent, is a mortgage loan specialist and longtime civic activist. LCCDBTC, UA 290, UBC electmikeclark.com
YES – Eugene Clean Energy Fund This ballot measure is based closely on the 2018 Portland ballot measure that created the Portland Clean Energy Fund, except that the Eugene measure backers worked closely with local labor unions and put much stronger labor standards in the measure. The way it works, the city imposes a 2% business license fee on large national corporate retailers like Amazon and Walmart that have more than $1 billion a year in profits nationally. The measure is expected to raise at least $15 million a year, which would be spent on renewable energy, energy efficiency, clean energy jobs training, and apprenticeships. Lane County Central Labor Chapter, LCCDTBC, AFSCME, AFT, CWA 7901, IBEW 280, IW 29, Lane Community College Education Association, LIUNA, OEA/EEA, SEIU 503, SMART 16, UAW 8121 (UO Student Workers) eugenecleanenergyfund.org
Gresham
Mayor
Travis Stovall, the incumbent, has served as Gresham mayor since 2021. He’s the founder of a business that provides psychometric assessments for HR and formerly served on the board of TriMet and board president of the Gresham Area Chamber of Commerce. IAFF 1062 greshamtogether.org
Council Position 2
Heather Coleman-Cox is CEO of a nonprofit that brings clean water to villages in Ghana and a member of the Gresham-Barlow School Board. Gresham Police Officers Association, IAFF 1062, ILWU, SEIU Oregon, UBC togetherwithheather.org
Council Position 4
Teo Ramirez works as a management analyst at the City of Lake Oswego. He’s a member of AFSCME and a graduate of the Oregon Labor Candidate School. AFSCME, IAFF 1062, IBT JC 37, SEIU, UFCW 555, WFP teoforgresham.com
Hillsboro
City Council Ward 1, Position A
Diana Jackson is a paralegal for a nonprofit public defense law firm. AFT/PCCFFAP, WFP dianaforhillsboro.com
City Council Ward 2, Position A
Karim Delgado is a Marine veteran and owner of the 649 bar and restaurant in Aloha. AFT/PCCFFAP, SEIU, WFP karimdelgado.com
City Council Ward 3, Position A
Dorian Russell is the director of a street outreach program for homeless youth and serves on the board of the Northwest Regional Education Service District. AFT/PCCFFAP, WFP votedorianrussell.com
Titonian Wallace Sr. is the owner of Nesace Media, a web development and digital marketing firm. He’s also former chair of the Washington County Chamber of Commerce. CPBCTC, AFT 4671 (Hillsboro Classified United) Hillsboro Police Officers Assocation, IAFF 2210, IBEW 48, IBT JC 37, IW 29 titonianforhillsboro.com
Lake Oswego
City Council
Seven candidates are vying for four positions. The top three vote-getters will serve four-year terms, and the fourth will serve the two years remaining in a vacant term.
Bryan Guiney is a Marine Corps officer and Iraq war vet and the director of the Oregon field office of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. AFSCME 1546, IAFF 1546, UFCW 555 Greenlight bryanguiney.com
Peren Tiemann is a law student at Lewis and Clark and a law clerk at the worker-side workers comp law firm Thomas, Coon, Newton, and Frost. IBT JC 37, UFCW 555 Greenlight perentiemann.com
Milwaukie
Mayor
Will Anderson, a member of Milwaukie City Council, works as a caucus strategist for the Oregon House Majority Office and was formerly a legislative staffer for Oregon state representatives Ben Bowman, Karin Power, and Teresa Alonso Leon. As an employee of the legislature, he’s a member of IBEW Local 89. He also worked for Eames Consulting, a lobby firm that represents the Oregon Building Trades Unions. He’s a graduate of the Oregon Labor Candidate School and is challenging incumbent Mayor Lisa Batey. NOLC, CPBCTC, AFSCME 350, IAFF 1159, IBT JC 37, UBC, UFCW 555 willformilwaukie.com
Portland
MORE (much much more) The Labor Press invited all eight union-endorsed candidates to talk about their records and their plans, and six of them ended up successfully scheduling conversations. You can see those interviews here.
Oregon’s largest city, Portland is home to nearly one in six Oregonians and is the state’s economic engine. It may have bounced back from the worst of its post-pandemic woes, but it still faces significant problems, including high cost of living, unsheltered homelessness, addiction, and untreated mental illness, over-long 911 wait times and under-maintained roads and infrastructure.
District 3 (inner SE Portland)
Of 22 candidates, four have union endorsement, including the three incumbents
Tiffany Koyama Lane, an incumbent, was an school teacher at Sunnyside K-12 when she got active in her union, Portland Association of Teachers, and in a successful county-wide campaign for universal preschool. She’s a graduate of the Oregon Labor Candidate School. On city council she helped pass ordinances renaming Chavez Boulevard Campesinos Boulevard, discouraging single gender restrooms, banning foie gras, and barring housing discrimination against throuples. If re-elected she wants to work on reducing management bloat at the city and to pass ordinances protecting domestic workers and app-based drivers. signed ‘no police union money’ pledge AAUP/PSU, AFSCME, AFSCME 189, AFT/PCCFFAP, LIUNA 483, Protec17, SEIU, UBC, UFCW 555 teachertiffanyforthepeople.com
Angelita Morillo, an incumbent, was formerly a staffer in the office of Portland City Commissioner JoAnn Hardesty and a policy advocate at the nonprofit group Partners for a Hunger-Free Oregon. On City Council, she led passage of a ban on algorithmic rent price fixing by landlords. signed ‘no police union money’ pledge AAUP/PSU, AFSCME 189, AFT/PCCFFAP, LIUNA 483, OEA/PAT, SEIU 49, UBC angelitaforportland.com
Steve Novick, an incumbent, was a Portland City Commissioner from 2013 to 2017. The son of a union organizer, he was born missing a left hand and fibula bones in his legs, but overcame adversity and graduated from Harvard Law School at age 21. He worked 10 years as an attorney for the Environmental Protection Agency, then worked on union-backed ballot measure campaigns, becoming an expert on tax policy. On city council, he’s been developing an ordinance that would give greater rights to rideshare workers. NOLC, CPBCTC, AFSCME, AFSCME 189, IAFF 43 UFCW 555 novickforportland.com
Kellie Torres is a senior manager at Portland Parks and Recreation whose job is to cultivate public-private partnerships, like deals with Nike to improve basketball courts or the contracts with community groups that saved Laurelhurst Dance Studio and the Sellwood Community House. Formerly chief of staff to Commissioner Dan Ryan, she helped set up “safe rest villages” made up of tiny temporary homes for the homeless. She also worked for Ryan at All Hands Raised, a non-profit that raises funds for Portland Public Schools. NOLC, CPBCTC, IAFF 43, IW 29 kellietorresforportland.com
District 4 (Westside plus Sellwood)
Of 14 candidates, five have the endorsement of at least one union.
Eli Arnold is a Portland police officer who works on the Central Bike Squad and neighborhood response team. He previously served in the Army as a helicopter pilot. His campaign centers on improving public safety, lowering 911 response times, and ending unregulated camping. IAFF 43 eliforportland.com
Olivia Clark, incumbent, spent 21 years as TriMet’s public affairs or goverment affairs director, and before that handled legislative affairs for Governor John Kitzhaber. She was also chair of the board of Providence Health Systems. On City Council her focus has been on improving infrastructure maintenance, and she led passage of a utility fee that will pay to fill potholes, add sidewalks, and make streets safer. She also led a push to reverse budget cuts in police and fire. NOLC, CPBCTC, AFSCME, AFSCME 189 (1 of 4), IAFF 43, IBEW 48, UBC, UFCW 555 oliviaforportland.com
Mitch Green, incumbent, is the son of a union pipefitter. After serving in the Army, he became an energy economist at Bonneville Power Administration. Running for city council two years ago, he was embraced by building trades unions, but this year IBEW Local 48 and Ironworkers Local 29 pulled their endorsement after he voted against a bond to pay for the Bull Run Water Filtration Project and spoke against city funding for a Moda Center renovation. Green says his support for the union trades is undiminished, and if re-elected he wants to work on renewing and improving the regional workforce equity agreement, a quasi project labor agreement. He opposes more funding for police, but has made frequent visits to city work sites to talk with rank-and-file members of unions like Laborers Local 483. signed ‘no police money’ pledge AAUP PSU, AFSCME, AFSCME 189 (1 of 4), AFT, AFT/PCCFFAP, IBT 37, LIUNA 483, OEA/PAT, PROTEC17, SEIU mitch4portland.com
Eric Zimmerman, incumbent, spent 17 years as an army officer with assignments in Iraq, Kosovo, and Bangladesh and served as a major in the Oregon National Guard. Before winning election to city council he was chief of staff to Multnomah County Commissioner Julia Brim-Edwards. On the council, he helped set aside future funds for sidewalk improvements in westside and outer eastside neighborhoods that lack sidewalks. He’s also sponsoring an ordinance to ban “surveillance pricing” or rapid price changes in grocery. If re-elected he wants to explore using the Portland Clean Energy Fund to support parks and urban forestry. NOLC, CPBCTC, AFSCME, AFSCME 189 (1 of 4), IAFF 43, IBEW 48, IBT JC 37, IUOE 701, IW 29, LIUNA 737, PPA, SEIU, SMART UA 290, UBC, UFCW 555 ez4pdx.com
Jamey Evenstar was the policy staffer at former city commissioner Chloe Eudaly’s office who helped develop the city’s Relocation Ordinance, which got as close as possible to rent control by requiring landlords to pay tenants’ moving costs if they increase rent 10% or more. Since then she worked for the Portland Bureau of Transportation and for the Charter Transition Team, and as chief of staff for City Council member Candace Avalos until earlier this year. If elected she would take a critical look at city management claims of personnel savings from consolidating bureaus, and instead investigate whether the city is spending too much money on outside contractors and high-paid managers. AFSCME, AFSCME 189, (1 of 4), Protec17, UBC, WFP evenstarforportland.com
BALLOT MEASURE 26-267: Participatory Budgeting is a proposed amendment to the city charter mandating that Portland develop a program to set aside funds equal to 2% of the city’s discretionary budget (about $16.4 million for starters) to be spent on projects proposed by residents that are then refined by a committee in a to-be-determined process and finally selected by a vote that’s not subject to regular election laws.
- NO NOLC, CPBCTC, IAFF 43, IBEW 48, IW 28, Multnomah County Deputy Sheriffs Association, PPA, UA 290 protectourcityservices.org
- YES AFT, AAUP, WFP your2centspdx.com
Salem
Councilor, Ward 8
Micki Varney, incumbent, is a retired salmon biologist with the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife who was active in her union SEIU Local 503. She was chief steward at her department and served on her bargaining team and on the statewide union’s general council and political committee. She’s a graduate of the Oregon Labor Candidate School.She also formerly served as city councilor in Dayton, Washington. AFSCME 2067, IBEW 280, SEIU 503, UFCW 555 (Greenlight) votevarney.com
Springfield
City Council Ward 4
Callee Ackland is a tenant support specialist with the Springfield Eugene Tenant Association Lane County Central Labor Chapter, AFT, ATU 757, GTFF, SEIU, WFP calleeackland.com
Jill Cuadros, the incumbent, was appointed in April to fill a vacancy. She’s a school support services director at Eugene 4J School District. IAFF 851, IBEW 280, UA 290 jillcuadros.com
St. Helens
Mayor
Jennifer Massey, the incumbent, is a 27-year second-generation member of United Association of Plumbers and Fitters Local 290. CPBCTC, IBEW 48, St. Helens Police Association, UA 290 jennifermasseyformayor.com
Tigard
Mayor
Yi-Kang Hu, the incumbent, is an attorney serving the food and beverage industry. IAFF 1660, UFCW 555 yikanghu.com
Wilsonville
City Council
Adrienne Scritsmier works as community education eoordinator at Clackamas Community College and is a member of the Oregon Education Association union. IAFF 1660, UFCW 555 adrienneforwilsonville.com
JUDICIAL OFFICES
Multnomah County
Judge of the Circuit Court, 4th District, Position 2
Diane Sykes is a civil rights attorney and former assistant Oregon attorney general. Before that she spent 10 years at Legal Aid and Oregon law center representing low-income clients. NOLC, AFSCME 88, WFP dianesykesforjudge.com
Laura Rowan is a senior assistant attorney general at the Oregon Department of Justice. AFSCME 1085, IAFF 43, Gresham Police Officers’ Association, IBT JC 37, Multnomah County Deputy Sheriffs’ Association, PPA, UFCW 555 laurarowanforjudge.com
Judge of the Circuit Court, 4th District, Position 14
Joe Hagedorn is a referee and temporary assignment judge for Multnomah County. UFCW 555, WFP hagedornforjudge.com
Elizabeth Savage is a civil and family law attorney who sometimes serves as a temporary (pro tem) judge. Before becoming an attorney, she was a Peace Corps volunteer in Cameroon and worked as a high school English teacher in Louisiana. NOLC, IBT JC 37, UFCW 555 savageforjudge.org
WASHINGTON
Washington ballots are being mailed Oct. 16 and must be returned to a ballot drop box by 8 p.m. Nov. 3, or postmarked by that day. The U.S. Postal Service recommends mailing your ballot at least one week before then.
FEDERAL OFFICES
Third Congressional District
Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, the Democratic incumbent, is running for a third two-year term. A graduate of Reed College, she owns an auto repair shop with her husband in Northeast Portland. In Congress, she’s co-chair of the Blue Dog Coalition, a caucus of moderate and conservative Democrats. The national AFL-CIO gives her a 77% lifetime rating thus far. This year she’s facing a challenge from Republican state senator John Braun, who serves as Washington Senate Minority Leader. Braun manages his family company, which manufactures custom ambulances in Chehalis. Braun has 20% lifetime voting from the state AFL-CIO. WSLC, WSBCTC, CPBCTC, IAFF, IAFF 452, IBEW 48, IUOE 701, LIUNA, SEIU 775, UBC, UA 290 marieforcongress.com
STATE OFFICES
17th Legislative District
Position 1
Ben Christly is an RN and a Clark County Charter Review Commissioner. WSLC, WSPCTC, CPBCTC, AFT, AWPPW, IAFF 452, IAM, IBEW 48, SMART 66, WEA, WSNA ElectBenChristly.com
Position 2
Diana Perez is a member of Vancouver City Council and a former wildlife biologist for the Forest Service. WSLC, WSBCTC, CPBCTC, AFT, IBEW 48, SMART 66, WEA ElectDianaPerez.com
18th Legislative District
Position 1
Randi Knott operates a horse ranch in Brush Prairie. She’s challenging incumbent Republican Stephanie McClintock. WSLC, CPBCTC, AFT, IAM, IBEW 48, SEIU 925, SMART, WEA, WSNA ElectRandi.com
Position 2
Deken Letinich is a construction laborer and a member of Laborers Local 335 who works for the union’s district council. In his second run for office, he’s challenging incumbent Republican John Ley, and this time he might win it: In the August primary he was the top vote-getter, with 53%. WSLC, WSBCTC, CPBCTC, IBEW 48, IUOE 701, IUPAT, IW 29, LIUNA 335, WEA ElectDeken.com
19th Legislative District
Position 1
Kevin Moynihan is a line cook at the Wandering Goose restaurant in Tokeland and an Aberdeen city council member. He’s challenging incumbent Jim Walsh, chair of the Washington State Republican Party. WSLC, UFCW 555 KevinMoynihan.com
Position 2
Terry Carlson is a former Weyerhaeuser logger and president of the Cowlitz-Wahkiakum Central Labor Council and former recording secretary of Machinists Local W536. He placed first with 43% in a challenge to Republican incumbent Joel McEntire (42%) but faces an uphill battle in the Republican-leaning district. WSLC, WSBCTC, AWPPW, IAM, IBEW 48, SMART 66, UA 26, UFCW 555 ElectTerryCarlson.com
20th Legislative District
Position 2
Evan Jones is an Army combat veteran, a member of the Longview Port Commission, and a union steward with IBEW Local 48 employed by Omega Morgan. He’s running against 12-term incumbent Republican Ed Orcutt, who has a lifetime labor voting record of 20% according to the Washington State Labor Council. In the most recent session Orcutt voted with labor just once out of 12 tracked votes. In the primary Jones got 37% of the vote to Orcutt’s 63%. WSLC, WSBCTC, CPBCTC, UFCW 555 VoteEvanJones.com
49th Legislative District
Position 1
Kim Harless is community engagement director at Native American Youth and Family Center. She’s been a member of Vancouver City Council since 2022 and serves on the C-TRAN board of directors. WSLC AFSCME, AFT, IAFF 452, SEIU 925, SMART VoteKimHarless.com
Position 2
Monica Stonier, a school teacher, has held the seat since 2017. She has a 98% rating from the Washington State Labor Council for her votes over her career, and 100% in this year’s session. WSLC, WSBCTC, CPBCTC, IBEW 48, IBT 117, SEIU 775, WEA, WSNA VoteMonicaStonier.com
COUNTY OFFICES
Clark County
Council Position 2
John Zingale is an award-winning middle school history teacher and union representative with the Vancouver Education Association. He twice ran unsuccessfully for state representative. In this year’s primary he placed second with 37% and faces Michelle Belkot (50%). SWWACLC, CPBCTC, IBEW 48 ZingaleForClarkCounty.com
Council Position 5
Troy McCoy is a State Farm insurance agent. He’s also a Battle Ground City Council member and former mayor and school board president in Battle Ground. In the primary he was the top vote-getter with 51%. SWWACLC, CPBCTC VoteTroyMcCoy.com
Clark County Auditor
Mitchell Kelly has worked for Clark County Auditor’s Office for about decade. He placed second in the primary with 28% in a tight four-way race and now faces former Clark County Council member Eileen Quiring O’Brien (formerly Eileen Qutub) SWWACLC, CPBCTC MitchellKellyForAuditor.com
Clark County Assessor
Peter Van Nortwick, the incumbent, has been assessor since 2011, and the department has a reputation for high worker morale. SWWACLC
Clark County Utilities
Commissioner District 3 (Vancouver west of I-205)
Gordon Matthews is a licensed mechanical engineer and clean-energy advocate with 44 years in the utility sector. He took second place with 28% in his primary challenge to longterm incumbent Jane Van Dyke. SWWACLC, IBEW 48 matthewsforclarkpud.org
Cowlitz County
Council District 2
Chelsea Chandler is a Longview middle school teacher challenging incumbent Republican county commissioner Rick Dahl. She got 42% in the primary and now faces Richard Dahl (58%) again. IBEW 48 ChelseaChandler4CowlitzCounty.com
