Even a Reliable Democratic Donor is Funding the Fight Against Measure 97

Here's where real estate dollars flow into Oregon campaigns.

By Nigel Jaquiss

Real-estate developer dollars are trickling into the coffers of Oregon political campaigns. Here's a brief roundup.

$10,000

The amount given by Harsch Investment Properties last month to the campaign to defeat Measure 97, a union-backed $3 billion annual corporate sales tax. Harsch is run by Portland real estate magnate Jordan Schnitzer, who usually donates to Democratic candidates and causes.

$50,000

Donation made by vintner, developer and patent heir Eric Lemelson last month to Portland's housing bond campaign. Lemelson used to be Oregon's largest Democratic giver and, after some quiet years, returned in a big way with checks of equal size to the bond campaign and Gov. Kate Brown.

$1,300

Total contributions this year from Terry Bean to Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum's re-election campaign. Bean, the Portland real estate investor acquitted of a sex crime last year, gave Rosenblum $300 two weeks ago. (Rosenblum is married to the co-owner of WW's parent company.)

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