A dozen labor unions and other advocacy groups have endorsed Piercy, compared with a couple for Torrey.
On Monday, Torrey received a boost when the Eugene Area Chamber of Commerce endorsed him over Piercy. Two other candidates, Nick Urhausen and Jim Ray, also are in the race.
In another indicator of political strength, Torrey continues to outpace Piercy in campaign contributions, according to the latest filings with the Oregon Secretary of State’s office.
Candidates with the most endorsements don’t always win elections, but the support can influence voters, a political expert said.
Some voters may consider endorsements when they decide who to vote for, said Steve Candee, a political science instructor at Lane Community College.
“It plays into the overall set of variables that people use to make decisions,” he said.
Undecided voters, in particular, may be influenced by endorsements, Candee said.
“They need both a reason to vote and, in many cases, an authoritative voice to either influence them in one direction or to validate the choice they are leaning towards already,” he said. “Endorsements by trusted and reputable sources can play a key role.”
Torrey on Tuesday said he was glad to get the Chamber’s endorsement, but said endorsements are not what matters most to him.
Having people donate money, distribute signs and volunteer in other ways is more important to the success of his campaign, he said.
“The endorsement that matters most is the person who comes up on the street and says, ‘I’m for you, Jim,’ ” Torrey said.
The chamber endorsed Torrey, a business-friendly former mayor who served two terms, over Piercy, even though Piercy supported chamber efforts to revive the West Eugene Enterprise Zone and, like the chamber, Piercy supported the failed ballot measure to increase spending in the downtown urban renewal district.
“This isn’t to suggest that Mayor Piercy hasn’t devoted considerable time and effort to her economic development agenda because she has, often in a collaborative way with the chamber, which we appreciate,” said Rick Crinklaw, of the chamber’s political action committee.
“However, on the important issues of jobs and the economy, we believe Jim Torrey is the better candidate.”
Torrey got the endorsement, partly because of his previous leadership as mayor and from his prior positions at the chamber, including board chairman, Crinklaw said.
With the endorsement, the chamber PAC gave Torrey’s campaign $2,500 said, chamber President Dave Hauser.
Piercy’s endorsements come from a range of groups, such as labor unions that represent city employees, the Oregon League of Conservation Voters and Basic Rights Oregon, an advocacy group for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.
“I’m the only candidate endorsed by labor, environmental and human rights organizations,” Piercy said.
The Eugene Firefighters Association, Local 851, endorsed Piercy because “she has an excellent record of supporting labor and the firefighters,” dating back to her time in the state legislature, said Vice President Joe Seibert.
After Piercy was interviewed by members of the American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees, Local 1724, the union gave her its endorsement.
Torrey could not attend the interview and gave brief, one-line answers on the questionnaire, said local President Dal Ollek.
“Kitty just responded better,” Ollek said.
But even city employee groups differ on who will make the best mayor.
The Eugene Police Employee’s Association has endorsed Torrey, union President Willy Edewaardsaid.
Meanwhile, Torreyhas picked up $33,332 more in campaign contributions within the past five days, bringing his total contributions for the election to $172,259.
During the same period, Piercy received $17,487 in cash and in-kind donations, giving her a total of $76,749.
Torrey’s largest recent contributions were $6,000 from John Murphy and his Eugene plywood company; $5,000, from Van Duyn Properties, a business controlled by Paul Skillern, an owner of the Eugene-based Kendall auto dealerships; $3,000 from Aadland Leasing of Eugene; and $2,500 from Eugene businessman Don Tykeson.
Piercy’s biggest single contributions were $5,000 from Mountain Rose Herbs of Pleasant Hill; $2,000 from Art Johnson, a Eugene attorney and an owner of the Eugene Weekly newspaper; and $1,000 from state Rep. Paul Holvey, D-Eugene.
