OLCV begins announcing dozens of endorsements in a variety of races statewide

For immediate release: March 9, 2010

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

The Oregon League of Conservation Voters begins announcing dozens of endorsements in a variety of races statewide

Portland, OR—The Oregon League of Conservation Voters today has begun unveiling endorsements for candidates at every level of government who have a proven track record of protecting the environment. 2010 candidates for seats ranging from city council to Oregon Governor have applied for the OLCV seal of approval.

“Oregonians care about the environment and they want to elect strong leaders who will work to protect Oregon’s natural legacy,” said OLCV executive director Jon Isaacs. “But it takes time to really evaluate every candidate’s commitment to conservation. Voters look to OLCV to do that important work for them.”

Today and tomorrow, OLCV will gradually reveal the list of candidates endorsed for 2010. The first place that list will be updated is the OLCV website at www.olcv.org/endorsements2010.

Once a candidate is endorsed, OLCV’s Political Action Committee may decide to dedicate resources to that campaign. The campaign support and grassroots efforts that can accompany an OLCV endorsement often make the necessary difference in contested races. In last year’s primary, for example, OLCV-endorsed Jeremy Ferguson won the race for Milwaukie Mayor by just 25 votes.

A sampling of some of the endorsements OLCV has been considering:

• Oregon Governor (to be announced after the gubernatorial debate March 30)
• More than 20 Oregon Senate and House District races
• Metro Councilors
• Clackamas, Jackson, Lane, Marion, Multnomah and Washington County Commission seats
• Beaverton, Eugene and Portland City Council seats

About the OLCV endorsement process: Any candidate seeking an OLCV endorsement must first fill out a comprehensive questionnaire covering a variety of relevant environmental issues. Following review of the questionnaire, OLCV volunteer committees conduct face-to-face interviews with each candidate and consider each candidate’s environmental record and their level of commitment to protecting Oregon’s environmental legacy, as well as their leadership skills. All endorsement recommendations from the endorsement committees are then reviewed and finalized by the OLCV PAC Board of Directors. OLCV endorsements run through the general election.

The Oregon League of Conservation Voters works to pass pro-environment laws, elect pro-environment candidates, and hold all of our elected officials accountable. www.olcv.org.

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