Former Multnomah County Commissioner Deborah Kafoury, vying for Jeff Cogen’s old seat atop the county, is crowing over a string of endorsements today—and injecting just the tiniest bit of mud into what may be the most-contested race in the May primaries. Turns out Kafoury’s earned backing from three of the Portland-area’s law enforcement honchos: Sheriff […]
Election 2014
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Is This The Easiest Ballot Language the City Attorney’s Ever Had to Write?
This seems familiar. Back in December, a group hoping to formally force city leaders to take care of the city’s water supply pulled its initiative and refiled the measure with updated language. The group said it wanted to clarify some points, but also that the Portland City Attorney’s Office had looked over important details when […]
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The Oregon Legislature May Talk Pot Legalization Next Month
Sounds like Oregon legislators may take a crack at marijuana legalization before voters have the chance to decide on a ballot measure in November. That’s the case, at least, according to State Rep. Jennifer Williamson. The Portland representative told officials gathered at this morning’s Local Public Safety Coordinating Council meeting she expects legislators could consider […]
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With Money—and Endorsements—in the Bank, Nick Fish Officially Files for Re-Election
City Commissioner Nick Fish is finally making it official. After weeks of collecting checks like a candidate—and hiring campaign staffers like a candidate—Fish today has launched a re-election website and quietly filed the formal paperwork needed to place his name on this May’s primary election ballot. It’s a somewhat low-key move, and maybe not all […]
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Kitzhaber Makes the Unofficial Official: He’s Running for a Fourth Term
It’s been long rumored, and it was practically official yesterday, when the notice about a press announcement landed in media inboxes yesterday with this peculiar letterhead (which everyone immediately noticed): And, so, this morning, Governor John Kitzhaber made it all perfectly clear: Yes, he’ll be running for a fourth term—a first in Oregon. And yes, […]
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Jim Francesconi, Wary of Appearances, Reports First Fundraising
This time around, Jim Francesconi says he’s treading lightly. When he lost a bid for mayor in 2004, the attorney and former city commissioner says, people were suspicious of the money he raked in from downtown businesses. He told the Mercury he’ll go out of his way to avoid that impression in the race for […]
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Saltzman’s Fundraising Machine Keeps Humming Along Along
It’s been another busy (and fruitful!) few weeks on the phones for Commissioner Dan Saltzman and his crack campaign staff—proving, once more, that the four-term dean of city hall is still very much taking seriously his bid at serving through (almost) the end of the decade.Since I last posted about Saltzman’s early fundraising efforts, back […]