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.