Most OSEA-backed candidates, bonds win
Gov. Kate Brown and secretary of state candidate Brad Avakian’s primary victories led the way in what was a mostly successful night for OSEA-endorsed bonds and candidates.
Brown easily dispatched her rivals en route to a huge win in the Democratic primary on Tuesday, May 17. She will face Salem oncologist Bud Pierce in the November general election.
Avakian, currently the state’s labor commissioner, earned a convincing win against two well-funded opponents. Dennis Richardson will be Avakian’s opponent in November.
Four out of six bond proposals endorsed by OSEA chapters passed muster with voters:
- Rogue Community College (RCC), endorsed by RCC Chapter 152
- McMinnville School District, endorsed by McMinnville Chapter 90
- Athena-Weston School District, endorsed by Athena-Weston Chapter 108
- South Lane School District, endorsed by Cottage Grove Chapter 32
Unfortunately, two measures in the Portland area – bonds to make substantial improvements at Mt. Hood Community College and in the Centennial School District – did not pass.
Salem City Council candidate Sally Cook handily unseated an incumbent, partly in thanks to an endorsement from Willamette Education Service District Employees Association (WESDEA) Chapter 95. She was outspent at about a two-to-one margin, but nevertheless won by 20 points.
All OSEA chapters are encouraged to get involved in their local races, and those who do make endorsements are eligible for support from the Education and Labor Advocacy Fund (ELAF), a political action committee funded entirely by voluntary contributions.
“Our chapters prove time and time again that we can make real change when we engage in the democratic process,” OSEA Director of Government Relations Ed Edwards said. “We congratulate the winning campaigns, and thank every chapter and campaign who fought the good fight on behalf of labor and education-friendly causes and candidates.”
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