Candidate debate to cue Oregon conservation groups on 2010 endorsement for Governor

For immediate release: February 23, 2010

Contact: Toby Van Fleet, OLCV Communications Director
503-224-4011 x212, toby@olcv.org

Candidate debate to cue Oregon conservation groups on 2010 endorsement for Governor

Bradbury, Kitzhaber, Alley to lay out environmental priorities on March 30

Portland, OR—Four of Oregon’s leading conservation groups will co-host gubernatorial frontrunners next month in a debate focused on the state’s environmental priorities.

Democratic candidates Bill Bradbury and former Oregon Governor John Kitzhaber, and Republican candidate Allen Alley will be asked to lay out a vision for Oregon’s future, addressing everything from climate change and clean energy, to toxics and public health, to management of the state’s natural resources and special places.

The candidates’ performances and stated positions in the debate will not only serve to educate voters, but will also serve as one of the criteria in the endorsement decisions of two of the host organizations: The Oregon League of Conservation Voters and the Oregon Chapter of the Sierra Club.

“Oregonians have a long history of caring about—and voting for—environmental values,” said Ivan Maluski, Conservation Program Coordinator of the Oregon Chapter of the Sierra Club. “We’ll be looking to see how what the candidates say to voters in the debate lines up with what they say in the remainder of the endorsement process.”

Other endorsement criteria will include questionnaires for the candidates and face-to-face interviews.

A panel including Oregon journalists who cover Oregon environmental politics and environmental community leaders will cue up questions for the participants. Those panelists and a moderator will be announced soon.

“This debate should not concentrate on what’s on the candidates’ resumes. It should illuminate the ability for decisive leadership in the state’s top post as we grapple with some tough questions,” said OLCV Executive Director Jon Isaacs. “When it comes to protecting Oregon’s natural legacy and re-establishing the state as an environmental leader, this race can’t be about the past. It has to be about Oregon’s future.”

The event is being hosted by Environment Oregon, the Oregon Environmental Council, the Oregon League of Conservation Voters and the Oregon Chapter of the Sierra Club. It will be sponsored by the Portland Mercury.

WHAT:  Gubernatorial Environmental Debate

PARTICPATING CANDIDATES:

Allen Alley
Bill Bradbury
John Kitzhaber

WHEN:         6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, March 30, 2010

WHERE:      Smith Memorial Student Union, Ballroom (3rd Floor),
                       1825 SW Broadway Avenue, Portland

TICKETS: Admission is free of charge but reservations must be made in advance here: www.oregon.sierraclub.org/debate

About the host organizations:

Environment Oregon

Environment Oregon is a citizen-based environmental advocacy organization that works on behalf of its more than 35,000 members (and counting!).  Our core mission is simple: to protect Oregon's clean air, clean water, and open space.  In practice, our professional staff combines independent research, practical ideas, and tough-minded advocacy to preserve our state's wild places and natural beauty, protect Oregonians from toxic pollution, reduce our material consumption, build sustainable transportation and communities, and shift to 100% clean energy.  Overcoming powerful special interests invested in the status quo is no easy task, so we work tirelessly for our members, the environment, and the future. www.environmentoregon.org.

Oregon Environmental Council

The Oregon Environmental Council advances innovative, collaborative solutions to Oregon’s environmental challenges for today and future generations. For over 40 years we've been a champion for solutions to protect the health of every Oregonian and the health of the place we call home. Our vision for Oregon includes solving global warming, protecting kids from toxics, cleaning up our rivers, building sustainable economies, and ensuring healthy food and local farms. www.oeconline.org.

Oregon League of Conservation Voters

The Oregon League of Conservation Voters works to pass pro-environment laws, elect pro-environment candidates, and hold all of our elected officials accountable.OLCV has more than 5,400 members across the state and is recognized as a strong leader and effective watchdog for the environment. www.olcv.org.

Oregon Chapter of the Sierra Club

The Sierra Club’s Oregon Chapter represents the organization’s 20,000 members in the state and has worked to protect Oregon’s environment and natural resources since 1978. The Sierra Club’s priority conservation efforts in Oregon include protecting the state’s wild forests and deserts, advancing policies to address climate change through energy efficiency and renewable energy, and shifting away from dependence on coal and foreign fossil fuels like LNG. www.oregon.sierraclub.org.

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