Quick Picks for the Primary

[May 7th, 2008]

Now that you’ve received your ballots for the May 20 primary, here’s a thumbnail cheat sheet summarizing our endorsements in the contested races. An (i) signals an incumbent seeking re-election.

To read all our endorsements from last week and watch video of WW's endorsement interviews, see our online Voters' Guide.

PRESIDENT

(D) Barack Obama: The wisdom to speak to us as adults about the challenges we face.

CITY HALL

Mayor (Nonpartisan) Sam Adams: Most qualified to lead and most in tune with what Portlanders want.

Council, Position 1 (Nonpartisan) Amanda Fritz: Trumps opponents on city budget knowledge and will give bureaucrats sleepless nights.

Council, Position 2 (Nonpartisan): Nick Fish: Honest, hardworking and his own man. Make his third candidacy the charm.

Council, Position 4 (Nonpartisan) Randy Leonard(i): Council’s go-to guy for courage and candor.

CONGRESS

U.S. Senate (D) Steve Novick: Unwavering willingness to tackle tough issues. And funny to boot.

U.S. Senate (R): Gordon Smith (i): No serious opponent.

U.S. House District 1 (D) Will Hobbs: Smart and convinced us he’d be more vocal and effective than incumbent Rep. David Wu.

U.S. House District 1 (R) Joel Haugen: Willing to make waves in the GOP.  

U.S. House District 3 (D) Earl Blumenauer (i): A solid rep and on leadership track in Congress.

U.S. House District 5 (D) Kurt Schrader: Brains plus independence make him an obvious choice.

U.S. House District 5 (R) Kevin Mannix: Brains plus independence (also) make him an obvious choice.

STATE

Secretary of State (D) Vicki Walker: Energy, specifics and fearlessness equal unbeatable combo.

Attorney General (D) Greg Macpherson: A close call, but he’s shown success on some of the Legislature’s toughest issues.

Multnomah County

District 1 (Nonpartisan) Deborah Kafoury: A well-qualified candidate makes this an easy call against weak competition.

District 3 (Nonpartisan) Mike Delman: A well-qualified candidate noses out two strong competitors based on his county experience.

District 4 (Nonpartisan) Carla Piluso: Solid police background plus enthusiasm.

METRO

District 2 (Nonpartisan) Carlotta Collette (i): Intelligent and brings a welcome communications background to an agency struggling to communicate its many missions.

District 6 (Nonpartisan) Robert Liberty (i): Land-use expert and the resident skeptic on the council.

STATE

Senate District 23 (D) Jackie Dingfelder: Proven herself in the House as an able ally for enviros and consumers.

House District 38 (D) Chris Garrett: Gutsy and experienced inside the Capitol.

House District 42 (D) Jules Kopel-Bailey: Beats out a strong field with expertise in planning and sustainability.

House District 45 (D) Michael Dembrow: Longtime PCC instructor brings brains and education background.

House District 49 (D) Nick Kahl: High energy plus a lame opponent.

House District 52 (D) Suzanne VanOrman: Education background and a commitment to healthcare access.

House District 52 (R) Phyllis Thiemann: No specifics, but she runs a bed-and-breakfast—maybe she’s a hard worker.

STATEWIDE MEASURES

Measure 51-Yes!: Strengthens the constitutional rights of crime victims.

Measure 52-Yes!: Same as above, just deals with a different part of the state constitution.

Measure 53-Yes!: Fixes a screw-up in an earlier property-seizure measure.