OLCV endorses Dick Schouten for Washington County Chair

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 endorses Dick Schouten for Washington County Chair

Portland, OR—The Oregon League of Conservation Voters today announced its endorsement of Dick Schouten for Washington County Chair. Schouten, currently a Washington County Commissioner, is running against fellow commissioner Andy Duyck. High-school teacher Doak Schulte has also filed to run.

“Washington County residents have a clear choice. Dick has the innovative vision to balance the demands of growth with the need to protect our farmland and open spaces,” said OLCV executive director Jon Isaacs. “Dick Schouten is the only candidate up to the challenges Washington County faces.”

Schouten’s endorsement is one of many OLCV is announcing today and tomorrow. OLCV is gradually updating its list of endorsements on the OLCV website at www.olcv.org/endorsements2010.

2010 candidates for seats ranging from city council to Oregon Governor have applied for the OLCV seal of approval. 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.

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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