2014 General Election

RACE	ME	WILLAMETTE WEEK	THE OREGONIAN	PORTLAND MERCURY	PORTLAND TRIBUNE	BASIC RIGHTS OR	PLANNED PARENT.
US SEN	MERKLEY	MERKLEY	("UGH.")	MERKLEY			MERKLEY
US REP 3RD	BLUMENAUER	BLUMENAUER	BLUMENAUER
OR GOV	KITZHABER	KITZHABER	KITZHABER	KITZHABER	(NONE)	KITZHABER	KITZHABER
OR REP 42ND	NOSSE	NOSSE				NOSSE	NOSSE
OR 86 COLLEGE FUND	YES	YES	NO	YES	YES	YES
OR 87 NAT'L GUARD	YES	YES	YES
OR 88 DRIVER LICENSES	YES	YES	YES	YES	YES	YES	YES
OR 89 SEX EQUALITY	YES	YES	NO	YES			YES
OR 90 TOP TWO PRIMARY	YES	YES	YES	NO	YES		NO
OR 91 MARIJUANA	YES	YES	YES	YES
OR 92 GMO	NO	NO	NO	NO
PTLD 26-159 PARKS	YES	YES	YES	YES
METRO 26-160 DENSITY	NO	YES		YES	YES
PPS 26-161 LEVY	YES	YES	NO	YES

THE DETAILS:

ME	CANDIDATE	ENDORSEMENTS
US SENATOR
[_]	Mike Montchalin LIBERTARIAN
[X]	Jeff Merkley [INCUMBENT] DEMOCRAT | INDEPENDENT | WORKING FAMILIES	WILLAMETTE WEEK | PORTLAND MERCURY | PLANNED PARENTHOOD
[_]	Christina Jean Lugo PACIFIC GREEN
[_]	James E Leuenberger CONSTITUTION
[_]	Monica Wehby REPUBLICAN
Keeping the US Senate and judicial confirmations out of Republicans' control trumps all other considerations.
US REPRESENTATIVE, 3RD DISTRICT
[_]	Michael Meo PACIFIC GREEN
[_]	James Buchal INDEPENDENT | REPUBLICAN | CONSTITUTION	RIGHT TO LIFE
[X]	Earl Blumenauer [INCUMBENT] DEMOCRAT	WILLAMETTE WEEK | THE OREGONIAN
[_]	Jeffrey J Langan LIBERTARIAN
[_]	David Walker
It's annoying that Democrats have pretty much given-up on taking back the House. Trying and losing is better than giving-up.
OREGON GOVERNOR
[_]	Dennis Richardson REPUBLICAN | INDEPENDENT	RIGHT TO LIFE
[_]	Chris Henry PROGRESSIVE
[_]	Aaron Auer CONSTITUTION
[X]	John Kitzhaber [INCUMBENT] DEMOCRAT | WORKING FAMILIES	WILLAMETTE WEEK | PORTLAND MERCURY | THE OREGONIAN | BASIC RIGHTS OREGON | PORTLAND BUSINESS ALLIANCE | NARAL PRO-CHOICE | OREGON LEAGUE OF CONSERVATION VOTERS | SIERRA CLUB | PLANNED PARENTHOOD | FMR GOV TED KULONGOSKI | US SEN RON WYDEN & JEFF MERKLEY
[_]	Paul Grad LIBERTARIAN
[_]	Jason Levin PACIFIC GREEN
While I respect Governor Kitzhaber for setting high goals for CoverOregon, he deserves criticism for its spectacular failure and mismanagement. I was also disappointed that he continued to support and waste funds on the Washington State SUV Bridge. His fiancee's recent confessions about past illegal interests are irrelevant -- she isn't running for office. However, that Kitzhaber bestowed the First Lady title on a long-time girlfriend and then allowed her to use the title for lobbying and business connections is troubling -- especially for an experienced statesmen. Unbelievably Kitzhaber remains a better choice than the GOP's guy. I admit that I kinda admire Republican State Rep. Dennis Richardson plucky campaign. He started his campaign early spamming an impressively large number of Oregonians' e-mail boxes -- although the e-mails seemed more like the rants from that fringe right-wing conspiracy theorists relative or friend we all have. He touted that he would live in the Portland-area for the summer to connect with urban voters -- but ended-up staying rent-free in a 3,000 sf house in the wealthy Lake Oswego enclave. While he understandably tries to campaigns on the Democratic governor's bad press, he hasn't explained why Oregonians should elect their first Republican to statewide office in 12 years.
OREGON STATE REPRESENTATIVE, 42ND DISTRICT
[X]	Rob Nosse DEMOCRAT | WORKING FAMILIES	WILLAMETTE WEEK | BASIC RIGHTS OREGON | PLANNED PARENTHOOD
[_]	Bruce Alexander Knight LIBERTARIAN
OREGON STATE JUDICIARY: 4TH DIST CIRCUIT COURT JUDGE, POSITION 12
[X]	Gregory F. Silver [INCUMBENT]
EAST MULTNOMAH SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT: DIRECTOR AT LARGE 2
[X]	Nellie McAdams
EAST MULTNOMAH SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT: DIRECTOR ZONE 3
[X]	Michael Guebert

OREGON MEASURE 86 Amends Constitution: Requires creation of fund for Oregonians pursuing post-secondary education, authorizes state indebtedness to finance fund
[X]	Yes	WILLAMETTE WEEK | PORTLAND MERCURY | BASIC RIGHTS OREGON | LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS | ECUMENICAL MINISTRIES OF OREGON | DEMOCRATIC PARTY | THE SKANNER | PORTLAND TRIBUNE | WORKING FAMILIES | PORTLAND BUSINESS ALLIANCE
[_]	No	THE OREGONIAN
Apparently this scheme involves borrowing money to invest in the stock market and using the profits to offer financial aid. Willamette Week still endorsed the measure even though they had concerns: "...some of the details of how his proposed funding mechanism would work worry us. "The state would be playing the stock market with borrowed funds, which some financial experts view as irresponsible investing. Oregon runs the risk of another stock-market crash and spending the next decade trimming budgets to pay it back..." The bigger risk though is the state continuing its trend of completely giving-up on college education. This modest plan is better than no plan.
OREGON MEASURE 87 Amends Constitution: Permits employment of state judges by National Guard (military service) and state public universities (teaching)
[X]	Yes	WILLAMETTE WEEK | THE OREGONIAN | THE SKANNER | DEMOCRATIC PARTY
[_]	No
[_]	No	THE OREGONIAN
The only argument I could find opposing this measure was concerns about having judges work for two branches of government. However, judges are already allowed to work for private universities and Oregon barely funds it's state colleges, so I doubt judges are scheming to unduly influence legislation for fat college paychecks. Nor do I think a judge serving in the National Guard will lead to a Judge Dredd scenario.
OREGON MEASURE 88 Provides Oregon resident "driver card" without requiring proof of legal presence in the United States
[X]	Yes VOTEYESON88.COM	WILLAMETTE WEEK | PORTLAND MERCURY | ACLU | ECUMENICAL MINISTRIES OF OREGON | LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS | THE OREGONIAN | PORTLAND TRIBUNE | THE SKANNER | GOV JOHN KITZHABER | FMR GOV TED KULONGOSKI & | BARBARA ROBERTS | US REP EARL BLUMENEAUR | BASIC RIGHTS OREGON | CITY CLUB OF PORTLAND | DEMOCRATIC PARTY | WORKING FAMILIES | PRIDE FOUNDATION | Q CENTER | NARAL PRO-CHOICE | PLANNED PARENTHOOD | BUS PROJECT | SIERRA CLUB | ECUMENICAL MINISTRIES OF OR | AINSWORTH UCC | BRIDGEPORT UCC
[_]	No PROTECTOREGONDL.ORG
A drivers license is about driving -- not enforcing unrelated policies. While I understand the sentiment that undocumented migrant workers should not be 'rewarded' with official state documents -- to my knowledge -- convicted felons, registered sex offenders, and delinquent taxpayers can still obtain drivers licenses. Ultimately immigration policy is a federal issue.
OREGON MEASURE 89 Amends Constitution: State/political subdivision shall not deny or abridge equality of rights on account of sex
[X]	Yes VOTEERA.ORG	WILLAMETTE WEEK | PORTLAND MERCURY | LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS | ECUMENICAL MINISTRIES OF OREGON | PLANNED PARENTHOOD | THE SKANNER | DEMOCRATIC PARTY | GOV JOHN KITZHABER | US SEN RON WYDEN & JEFF MERKLEY | US REP EARL BLUMENAUER, SUZANNE BONAMICI, PETER DeFAZIO, KURT SCHRADER & DARLENE HOOLEY
[_]	No	RIGHT TO LIFE | ACLU | THE OREGONIAN | CITY CLUB OF PORTLAND
Besides Oregon Right To Life's obvious bias against women, the argument against this amendment is that it's not needed. While there probably are some murky case laws that make this constitutional amendment unnecessary, citizens should be able to point to a clear constitutional principle that the government should treat genders equally.
OREGON MEASURE 90 Changes general election nomination processes: provides for single primary ballot listing candidates; top two advance
[X]	Yes 90FOROREGON.ORG	WILLAMETTE WEEK | THE OREGONIAN | PORTLAND TRIBUNE | THE SKANNER | WORKING FAMILIES | GOV JOHN KITZHABER | FMR GOV VIC ATIYEH | PTLD MAYOR CHARLIE HALES
[_]	No NOONMEASURE90.ORG	PORTLAND MERCURY | RIGHT TO LIFE | THE SKANNER | DEMOCRATIC PARTY | REPUBLICAN PARTY | CONSTITUTION PARTY | LIBERTARIAN NAT'L CMTE | PROGRESSIVE PARTY | FMR GOV BARBARA ROBERTS | OUR OREGON | BUS PROJECT | OR LEA. OF CONSERVATION VOTERS | PORTLAND BUSINESS ALLIANCE | PLANNED PARENTHOOD
It's been TWELVE YEARS since a non-Democrat won statewide (partisan) office. While I love that Oregon is a blue state, I am concerned that elected leaders are being decided in little-watched Spring primaries. General elections should be between the two most viable candidates -- not a list of fringe candidates. The factions that oppose top-two are basically groups that have learned to dominate the current party system and want to keep the status quo. That said, my only tweak to this law would be that party primaries should remain for legislative candidates since party control is more important in congresses.
OREGON MEASURE 91 Allows possession, manufacture, sale of marijuana by/to adults, subject to state licensing, regulation, taxation
[X]	Yes VOTEYESON91.COM	WILLAMETTE WEEK | PORTLAND MERCURY | THE OREGONIAN | THE NEW YORK TIMES | THE SKANNER | ACLU | CITY CLUB OF PORTLAND | DEMOCRATIC PARTY | WORKING FAMILIES
[_]	No VOTENO91.COM	REPUBLICAN PARTY | AMERICAN MED ASSOC
OREGON MEASURE 92 Requires food manufacturers, retailers to label "genetically engineered" foods as such; state, citizens may enforce
[_]	Yes OREGONRIGHTTOKNOW.ORG	ECUMENICAL MINISTRIES OF OREGON | CITY CLUB OF PORTLAND | THE SKANNER | DEMOCRATIC PARTY | PACIFIC GREEN PARTY | US REP EARL BLUMENAUER | US REP PETER DeFAZIO | BEN & JERRY'S
[X]	No VOTENOON92.COM	WILLAMETTE WEEK | PORTLAND MERCURY | THE OREGONIAN
CITY OF PORTLAND MEASURE 26-159 Bonds to fix playgrounds, trails; improve park facilities, safety, accessibility.
[X]	Yes FIXOURPARKS.ORG	WILLAMETTE WEEK | PORTLAND MERCURY | THE OREGONIAN | THE SKANNER | LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS | PORTLAND BUSINESS ALLIANCE
[_]	No
METRO MEASURE 26-160 Retain prohibition on Metro-required single-family neighborhood density increases
[_]	Yes PORTLAND MERCURY | STOPTHEDEMOLITION.ORG	WILLAMETTE WEEK | THE SKANNER | PORTLAND TRIBUNE*
[X]	No
Maybe I'm just dumb, but I read this three times to figure out what was going on. The Tribune's editorial endorsement only further confused me. From what I gather though this measure basically renews a 12-year-old ban that prohibits Metro (AKA the metro area's urban sprawl prevention czar) from requiring "single-family" neighborhoods to become more dense. HOWEVER, this measure apparently doesn't prevent cities from increasing density on their own nor does it prevent Metro from increasing density in other ways. My concern is that this law only benefits "single family neighborhoods" (e.g. wealthy suburban neighborhoods) while putting the burden of density on urban neighborhoods. Ultimately, all neighborhoods will have to increase density in order to protect rural lands. It seems unfair to place the burden on some neighborhoods but not on others.
PORTLAND SCHOOL DISTRICT #1JT MEASURE 26-161 Portland Public Schools levy renewal for schools and educational programs.
[X]	Yes YESFORTEACHERSYESFORKIDS.ORG	WILLAMETTE WEEK | PORTLAND MERCURY | THE SKANNER | PORTLAND BUSINESS ALLIANCE
[_]	No	THE OREGONIAN

2014 Primary

RACE	ME	WILLAMETTE WEEK	THE OREGONIAN	PORTLAND MERCURY	PORTLAND TRIBUNE	SIERRA CLUB	BASIC RIGHTS OR
US SEN	MERKLEY	MERKLEY CONGER	WEHBY
US REP 3RD	BLUMENAUER
OR GOV	KITZHABER	RICHARDSON	KITZHABER RICHARDSON				KITZHABER
OR REP 42ND	NOSSE	NOSSE	NOSSE				NOSSE
OR BOLI	AVAKIAN					AVAKIAN	AVAKIAN
MULT CHAIR	KAFOURY	KAFOURY	KAFOURY		KAFOURY		KAFOURY
MULT DIST 1	BAILEY	BAILEY	BAILEY	BAILEY	BAILEY	BAILEY	BAILEY WILSON
MULT AUDIT	MARCH
MULT SHERIFF	STATON
PTLD POS2	FISH	FISH		FISH	FISH		FISH
PTLD POS3	SALTZMAN	SALTZMAN		CALEB	SALTZMAN		SALTZMAN
PTLD AUDIT	CABELLERO
METRO PREZ	HUGHES	HUGHES	HUGHES
METRO AUDIT	EVANS
PTLD WATER	YES	NO	NO	NO	NO	NO

THE DETAILS:

D E M O C R A T I C P R I M A R Y

ME CANDIDATE ENDORSEMENTS US SENATOR [_] Pavel Goberman A perennial candidate. [X] Jeff Merkley INCUMBENT Former OR House Speaker first elected to US Senate in 2008 with Obama-Dem sweep. ENDORSEMENTS:Willamette Week | The Skanner [_] William Bryk Bizarre candidate from New York City who is simultaneous running in Alaska's and Idaho's US Senate primaries (HUFFINGTONPOST.COM). Although now-Senator Merkley wasn't my first Democratic choice in 2008, he has followed-through on his campaign promise to seek senate filibuster reform. I concede to 2008's Democratic primary voters that Merkley was probably a better fit than Novick who I've become somewhat disenchanted with in on Portland's council. US REPRESENTATIVE, 3RD DISTRICT [X] Earl Blumenauer INCUMBENT OREGON GOVERNOR [_] Ifeanyichukwu C Diru Someone from Salem (PAMPLINMEDIA.COM). [X] John Kitzhaber INCUMBENT Practically unopposed incumbent. ENDORSEMENTS: The Oregonian | Basic Rights Oregon I still support Kitzhaber despite Cover Oregon being a national embarrassment and his bizarre fixation on making Oregonians pay to bring job-stealing, tax-dodging Washington SUV drivers into Portland. OREGON STATE REPRESENTATIVE, 42ND DISTRICT [_] Don Gavitte A high school teacher endorsed by teachers unions. [X] Rob Nosse A nurses union representative and gay rights activists. ENDORSEMENTS:Willamette Week | The Oregonian | Basic Rights Oregon [_] Kathleen O'Brien An adoption lawyer. [_] Teddy Keizer An environmental activist and former chair of Multnomah County Democrats. ENDORSEMENTS: Sierra Club [_] Dan Shaw A "Game Designer; Solar Energy; Political Activist" according to his voters' guide statement. [_] John Sweeney A perennial candidate. I briefly spoke to Rob Nosse on our embarrassing cat-pee soaked porch when he knocked on our door one weekend morning. I wasn't willing to consider myself a supporter until I knew who else was running for this open seat. I was a little hesitant to automatically support him just because he is a partnered gay man with kids. It doesn't seem there is much else the state legislature can do to support gay rights -- the issue will be decided by either the federal courts or state voters. From what I can tell online, it seems all of the candidates tout progressive issues. When Nosse asked me what my concerns for the state were, I was caught unprepared. Of course, jobs, wages, economy, etc., are my top concerns. But for the legislature, I'm more concerned about fixing Cover Oregon, stopping Columbia River Crossing (AKA the Vancouver SUV Bridge), and getting the bankrupt rural counties to get their acts together (without making Portlanders pay for it).

ME	CANDIDATE	ENDORSEMENTS
OREGON NON-PARTISAN
OR COMMISSIONER OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR AND INDUSTRIES
[X]	Brad Avakian INCUMBENT	Unopposed incumbent seeking re-election. ENDORSEMENTS: Basic Rights Oregon | Sierra Club
OR NON-PARTISAN JUDICIARY
OR SUPREME COURT JUDGE [X] 2 POSITIONS ALL UNOPPOSED INCUMBENTS OR COURT OF APPEALS JUDGE, POS. 1 [X] 5 POSITIONS ALL UNOPPOSED INCUMBENTS OR TAX COURT JUDGE [X] Henry C Breithaupt INCUMBENT OR CIRCUIT COURT JUDGE, 4TH DIST [X] 18 POSITIONSALL UNOPPOSED INCUMBENTS
MULTNOMAH COUNTY
MULTNOMAH COUNTY COMMISSIONER CHAIR: UNEXPIRED TERM THROUGH DEC 2014
[_]	Aquiles Montas	Skimpy campaign website without endorsements, Republican slogan (e.g. "Restrict the growth of government"). Failed to file a voters' pamphlet statement.
[_]	Steven Reynolds	I couldn't find his campaign website. His voters' pamphlet statement was an assortment unlikely plans. In 2012, he ran for congress as a self-described "unemployed, disabled veteran" (KGW).
[_]	James O Rowell	Apparently withdrawn -- he didn't file for next term (below). I couldn't find his campaign website or voters' pamphlet statement.
[_]	Patty Burkett	Impressive voters' pamphlet statement, but no applicable experience. I couldn't find her campaign website, but a 2012 article described her as an "activist, mom, and psychic medium" (PORTLAND MERCURY).
[X]	Deborah Kafoury	"...Kafoury points to the execution of the Sellwood Bridge replacement project as her top accomplishment at the county...." -WILLAMETTE WEEK ENDORSEMENTS: Willamette Week | Portland Mercury | The Oregonian | Portland Tribune | Basic Rights Oregon | fmr County Chair Beverly Stein | County Commissioners Judy Shiprack and Loretta Smith | County Sheriff Dan Staton | OR Gov. John Kitzhaber | fmr Portland Mayor Bud Clark | Portland Business Alliance
[_]	Wes Soderback	A perennial candidate.
[_]	Jim Francesconi	YIKES: Won union endorsments "after making explicit promises that, if elected, he would work to increase union membership under county contractors—something that could violate laws preventing elected officials from actively favoring unions..." (WILLAMETTE WEEK). ENDORSEMENTS: Sierra Club | Basic Rights Oregon Green Light | The Skanner
MULTNOMAH COUNTY COMMISSIONER CHAIR: FOUR-YEAR TERM BEGINNING JAN 2015
[_]	Aquiles Montas	(See above)
[_]	Steven Reynolds
[_]	Patty Burkett
[X]	Deborah Kafoury
[_]	Wes Soderback
[_]	Jim Francesconi
MULTNOMAH COUNTY COMMISSIONER DISTRICT 1: TWO-YEAR UNEXPIRED TERM
[_]	Brian Wilson	A financial planner (KATU) with extensive civic volunteer experience. ENDORSEMENTS: Basic Rights Oregon Green Light | fmr County Commissioners Maria Rojo de Steffey and Barbara Willer | fmr Portland Mayor Bud Clark
[X]	Jules Kopel Bailey	An economist and former state Representative. ENDORSEMENTS: Willamette Week | The Oregonian | Portland Mercury | Portland Tribune | The Skanner | Basic Rights Oregon Green Light | Sierra Club | Portland Business Alliance
Jules Bailey, who was my district's state representative, has a slightly more relevant background. Brian Wilson seems like a good candidate, but I haven't seen a compelling reason to vote for him over Bailey.
MULTNOMAH COUNTY AUDITOR
[X]	Steve March INCUMBENT	Unopposed incumbent seeking re-election.
MULTNOMAH COUNTY SHERIFF
[X]	Dan Staton INCUMBENT	Unopposed incumbent seeking re-election.
CITY OF PORTLAND
PORTLAND COMMISSIONER, POSITION 2
[_]	Sharon Y Maxwell	General contractor.
[_]	Michael W Durrow	An activist.
[X]	Nick Fish INCUMBENT	Incumbent and former civil rights attorney. ENDORSEMENTS: Willamette Week | Portland Mercury | Portland Tribune | The Skanner | Basic Rights Oregon Green Light | Sierra Club | Portland Business Alliance
I appreciate that Nick Fish sold the infamous water house (unfortunately at a loss). And I cynically appreciate that he conveniently opposes the dubious transportation tax like the other commissioner up for re-election. I'm tempted by Maxwell's candidacy. Adding a small business owner, building contractor, and woman of color to the council would add much needed diversity to council and city government. One of the major drawbacks to Portland's quirky five city-wide elected commissioners is that there are few opportunities for candidates to build-up support and experience like what be possible in having commissioners elected by local neighborhood.
PORTLAND COMMISSIONER, POSITION 3
[_]	Joe Meyer	KBOO reporter. "...does not expect to raise or spend more than $750 in the race." (PORTLAND TRIBUNE)
[_]	Leah Marie Dumas	A 17-year Portland Community College employee. "...does not expect to raise or spend more than $750 in the race." (PORTLAND TRIBUNE)
[_]	Nicholas Caleb	Concordia University professor. ENDORSEMENTS: Portland Mercury | Bike Walk Vote | Socialist Alternative | Pacific Green Party | 15 Now PDX
[X]	Dan Saltzman INCUMBENT	Four-term incumbent ENDORSEMENTS: Willamette Week | | Portland Tribune | The Skanner | Basic Rights Oregon Green Light | Oregon League of Conservation Voters | The Skanner | The Portland Observer | Portland Business Alliance | The Portland Timbers and owner Merritt Paulson | railcar manufacturer The Greenbrier Companies | Schnitzer Steel | Governor John Kitzhaber | DNC at-large member and HRC co-founder Terry Bean | philathropist Arlene Schnitzer | Made In Oregon founder Sam Naito | The Yoshida Group founder Junki Yoshida | child education co. Knowledge Universe and CEO Tom Wyatt | developer and fmr mayor candidate Bob Ball | developer Homer Williams | insurance agency Bolliger and Sons | Umpqua Bank | real estate firms: Melvin Mark Companies, Income Property Management, Venerable Group |
I respect that Dan Saltzman has stayed on the council for so long and seems to genuinely motivated in improving the city and its government. I also appreciate that, like the other commissioner up for re-election, he has come-out against the proposed transportation tax. Of the three challengers, Nicholas Caleb has the most organized campaign online. He proposes a lot of big ideas (e.g. $15 minimum wage, rent controls, stop gentrification, stop police brutality, teacher reform, etc.) that seem unlikely. I was surprised he supports an effort remove the city's management of the water bureau, but realized that he supports a third group that failed to get its initiative on the ballot. It's unclear whether he supports the current water initiative that he shares the ballot with.
PORTLAND AUDITOR
[X]	Mary Hull Cabellero	Unopposed Metro Performance Auditor, former ODOT Performance Auditor, and former reporter. ENDORSEMENTS: fmr City Auditors Gary Blackmer & Jewel Lansing | Working Families Party of Oregon | Portland Business Alliance
METRO
METRO COUNCIL PRESIDENT
[X]	Tom Hughes INCUMBENT	Incumbent, former Hillsboro Mayor, and former high school teacher. ENDORSEMENTS: Willamette Week | The Oregonian | 3 of 6 Metro Councilors Kathryn Harrington (Dist 5. ~N. Washington Co.), Bob Stacey (Dist. 6 ~NE/SE/SW Ptld), Sam Chase (Dist. 5 ~NW/N/SW/NE Ptld), fmr Gov Barbara Roberts, fmr OR State Rep. Jules Bailey | Portland Business Alliance
[_]	Jeremiah William Johnson	Bottling company Admin Asst., Community Organizer
METRO AUDITOR
[X]	Brian Evans	Unopposed auditor. ENDORSEMENTS: Metro Auditor Suzanne Flynn, OR Dir of Audits Gary Blackmer, MultCo Auditor Steve March | Portland Business Alliance
CITY OF PORTLAND
PORTLAND MEASURE 26-156: Amends Charter: Creates water and sewer district with elected board.
[X]	Yes	Water District will end City of Portland practice of raising rates for councilors pet projects. SUPPORTERS: Taxpayers Assoc. of OR
[_]	No	District would not lower rates and is poorly designed. OPPONENTS: Willamette Week | Portland Mercury | The Oregonian | Portland Tribune | League of Women Voters | City Club | Audubon Society | Sierra Club | Democratic Party of MultCo | Green Party | OR Progressive Party | Portland Mayor and all four Commissioners
Yep, I'm letting my secret anti-government side show. While much of the increase in the city's water and sewer rates is due to the huge big dig sewer project, it is obvious that the current and past mayors and commissioners have improperly managed the city utilities and continue to use ratepayers' bills to fund pet projects. Sure, the current initiative has several flaws and is far from perfect; however, I believe it is more important for voters to take action now instead of waiting for the perfect initiative to come along. After all, voters can revise the charter again if the current initiative is unworkable.