Over the past few weeks, the PAT-PAC interviewed dozens of candidates running for a variety of state and local offices. Through the interview process, it was clear that people across Portland are engaged and active, committed to making our city, and our state, a better place.
The PAT-PAC process was as follows: PAT-PAC extended invitations for a face-to-face interview to all candidates interested in our endorsement. For priority races, the PAT-PAC sends candidates a pre-interview questionnaire. In advance of the interviews, the PAT-PAC board also developed a set of questions to ask candidates in each race.
The PAT-PAC Board generally votes to recommend, or not to recommend, one candidate in each position. Recommendations are made on the basis of the candidate's record or position on educational issues, interview responses, electability, and PAT's strategic organizational goals.
This year, the PAT-PAC Board recommended candidates who:
- Discuss strong public schools as a key feature in planning for the city's growth;
- Publicly support the Better Oregon Campaign and for corporations to pay their fair share to support families and schools;
- Advocate for labor rights through policies and actions;
- Demonstrate a commitment to helping our most vulnerable students, particularly the homeless and hungry;
- Present a viable campaign to win their election;
Local Races
Our city faces big challenges as we prepare for a projected one million new residents. This growth will have a huge impact on our schools, and our elected officials will play a key role shaping the future of our city. The PAT-PAC Board recommends the following candidates:
Mayor
Jules Bailey
Portland City Commissioner, #1
Amanda Fritz
Portland City Commissioner, #4
(no position at this time)
Multnomah County Commissioner, #1
(no position at this time)
Multnomah County Commissioner, #3
Jessica Vega-Pederson
Metro Council
Sam Chase: District 5
Bob Stacey: District 6
State Races
For Oregon Education Association members, the 2015 legislative session proved to be one of the most productive in recent history. We passed legislation around a variety of our top policy priorities, and many of the candidates PAT-PAC is recommending were integral to securing these legislative victories for families, students, educators and schools! Our recommended candidates include:
Oregon House of Representatives
Mitch Greenlick, HD 33
Margaret Doherty, HD 35
Jennifer Williamson, HD 36
Ann Lininger, HD 38
Karin Power, HD 41
Rob Nosse, HD 42
Roberta Phillip-Robbins, HD 43
Tina Kotek, HD 44
Barbara Smith-Warner, HD 45
Alissa Keny-Guyer, HD 46
Oregon Senate
Kathleen Taylor, SD 21
Lew Frederick, SD 22
Michael Dembrow, SD 23
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