OLCV candidates prevail around the state

Endorsements from the Oregon League of Conservation Voters made the difference for candidates around the state yesterday, when Oregonians voted in everything from gubernatorial primaries to city and council commission races, including some hotly contested races.

While much of the media coverage of the primary election has focused on statewide races, in particular the governor’s race, OLCV endorsed nearly 75 candidates prior to the primary election and targeted seven local campaigns. Of those seven, four were successful:

• Will Rasmussen won handily in the Democratic primary for House District 37.
• Bob Stacey is headed into the November runoff for Metro President.
• Jerry Rust came in first and is headed for the runoff for Lane County Commission (West Eugene).
• Pat Riggs-Henson is headed for the runoff for Lane County Commission (Springfield).

In targeted primary races, OLCV volunteers talked to nearly 24,000 voters around the state. We thank them for their work.

“OLCV added incredible value to our campaign,” said Metro President candidate Bob Stacey. “In addition to their very credible endorsement, OLCV also supported us with staff and resources and helped execute an extensive grassroots program that reached thousands of voters in the Metro region.”

Of the remaining three targeted races, the biggest disappointment in the primary for the conservation community was Dick Schouten’s outright loss to co-commissioner Andy Duyck for Washington County Chair.

OLCV-endorsed Chuck Bennett lost his bid for Salem Mayor by 1,200 votes, and Gretchen Ammerman in the race for Lincoln City Council, Ward 3 by just a handful of votes.

In other races, especially in the traditionally more progressive voting block of Multnomah County, OLCV’s endorsement seemed to catapult some candidates, as in the race for Multnomah County Commissioner, Position 2, in which OLCV-endorsed Karol Collymore came in a strong first over a sea of other candidates.

And while the Schouten race was disappointing, Washington County Commission candidates Greg Malinowski and Greg Mecklem—both endorsed by OLCV—are both headed to the runoff.

It is also worth noting that Ted Wheeler, who won the Democratic primary for Oregon State Treasurer was endorsed by OLCV.

For a full list of OLCV’s endorsements for the 2010 Primary, visit www.olcv.org/endorsements2010.