Oregon League of Conservation Voters Announces Lane County 2008 Primary Endorsements

OLCV Endorsements could make the difference in Lane County

Eugene, OR:  The Oregon League of Conservation Voters (OLCV) announced their endorsements for the May 2008 primary races for City Council and County Commission in Lane County as well as the State Legislature.

The Oregon League of Conservation Voters is the independent political voice for Oregon’s environment and their seal of approval provides voters with critical information as they decide who will represent them locally and who they will send to Salem.

In Lane County local races, OLCV has endorsed:

·         Eugene Mayor Kitty Piercy

·         Eugene City Council Ward 1 - George Brown

·         Eugene City Council Ward 5 - Betty Taylor*

·         Eugene City Council Ward 7 - Andrea Ortiz*

·         Lane County Commission District 3 – Pete Sorenson*

·         Lane County Commission District 4 – Rob Handy

*Candidates who received an automatic endorsement. Automatic endorsement applies only to candidates who earned 100% on our scorecard AND are running for re-election to the same seat.

The Lane County Chapter of OLCV endorsed incumbent Mayor Kitty Piercy. OLCV’s support for Piercy is based on her strong record of environmental advocacy.  Over the years, she has stepped up as a true environmental champion in the community and fought hard to protect Eugene’s air, water and natural places. Piercy ousted her challenger Jim Torrey in 2004. Her opponent voted against protecting Eugene’s environment every time there was an environmental vote in the council.

Candidate Rob Handy received OLCV’s endorsement for North Lane County Commission.  Handy is well known in the community for his advocacy work and currently chairs the River Road Community Organization and co-chairs the City of Eugene’s Neighborhood Leaders Council. Handy is running to unseat Bobby Green who scored a disappointing 40% on the 2006-2007 Lane County Commission Scorecard for the Environment.  County Commissioner Pete Sorensen scored a 100% on the 2006-2007 Lane County Commission Environmental Scorecard and earned an automatic endorsement from OLCV.

“Voters are concerned about Eugene’s growing population and are looking for candidates who will make responsible choices to protect our neighborhoods and open spaces.  We believe the candidates who have earned OLCV’s endorsement share these concerns and will work the hardest to protect Eugene from reckless over-development and keep our air and water clean and healthy for our families,” said Meredith Shield field organizer for the Lane County Chapter of OLCV.

OLCV has endorsed in several legislative primaries. These include:

·         Paul Holvey for House District 8

·         Nancy Nathanson House District 13

·         Chris Edwards for House District 14

The complete list of OLCV endorsed candidates in Lane County are:

Lane County Commission

Lane County Commission District 3 – Pete Sorenson*

Lane County Commission District 4 – Rob Handy

Eugene Mayor 

Kitty Piercy

Eugene City Council

Eugene City Council Ward 1 – George Brown

Eugene City Council Ward 5 – Betty Taylor*

Eugene City Council Ward 7 – Andrea Ortiz*

Oregon House of Representatives

House District 8 – Paul Holvey

House District 11 – Phil Barnhart*

House District 12 – Terry Beyer*

House District 13 – Nancy Nathanson

House District 14 – Chris Edwards

*Candidates who received an automatic endorsement. Automatic endorsement applies only to candidates who earned 100% on our scorecard AND are running for re-election to the same seat.

The complete list of OLCV endorsed candidates is available at www.olcv.org/elections.

The Oregon League of Conservation Voters is the independent political voice for Oregon’s environment; a non-partisan organization made up of thousands of Oregonians who care about protecting Oregon’s water, air, farms and forests.  For over 35 years, OLCV has been educating citizens on how their elected officials vote on environmental issues and helping elect pro-environment candidates.

For a complete list of OLCV’s endorsements, scorecard ratings, and more information call 503-224-4011 or visit www.olcv.org.

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