Jo Ann Hardesty, speaking truth to power. NATALIE BEHRING Check out all of the Mercury‘s 2018 election endorsements! From the race for Oregon governor to the fight for affordable housing, we’ve got you covered. This November, voters will make Portland history. Twice. Not only will Portlanders elect the city’s first Black woman to city council, […]
Election 2018
Posted inElection 2018
ACLU Puts Out Excellent Ad Saying to Vote ‘No’ On Measure 105
Today the ACLU of Oregon put out a stellar ad featuring the voices of refugees and immigrants who’ve lived in Oregon since youth. The ad hits the nail on the head, making clear that measure 105 is unjust, fear-based, and just plain cruel. If passed, Measure 105 would repeal a decades-old immigration law that limits […]
Posted inNews
The FBI Investigation of Brett Kavanaugh Will Not Save Us
McNamee/Getty Images We just love a good story, don’t we? We love rewarding creative, wonderful liars for crafting beautiful narratives, and in turn they reward us for surrendering to that story with a satisfying ending. In a courtroom drama—a political thriller of the kind Aaron Sorkin might dash off in a fevered weekend—a multi-layered scandal […]
Posted inCannabis
Wells Fargo Shut Down a Florida Politician’s Bank Account Because of Cannabis Connection
Rex_Wholster / Getty Images It’s not breaking news that cannabis businesses and the banking industry have a contentious and ugly relationship fueled by paranoia and fear. The vast majority of US banks will neither make loans to, nor open and maintain accounts for, cannabis businesses. Therefore, these businesses are shut out of access to credit […]
Posted inMovies & TV
On Cinema Live! Is Coming to Portland, and Tim Heidecker Is Running for District Attorney of San Bernardino
When On Cinema began in 2011, it was a simple, innocent parody of podcasting. Episodes were typically under two minutes, with comedians Tim Heidecker and Gregg Turkington reviewing then-current films and the occasional classic, from Saving Private Ryan to Ghostbusters. The show’s punchline was obvious to anyone familiar with the absurdist comedy of Heidecker, best […]
Posted inCannabis
Texas Representative Pete Sessions Doesn’t Care About Veterans
This guy wants to take medicine away from veterans. He’s up for reelection in November. Rep. Pete Sessions – Official Photo I’ve never served in the military, although I have friends who have. Some enjoyed it, and some did not—and some returned from active duty with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). It’s just one of […]
Posted inNews
The Mercury Endorses: Susheela Jayapal for Multnomah County Commissioner, District 2
FRIENDS OF SUSHEELA JAYAPAL Unlike the wonky form of government found in Portland City Hall, the county board of commissioners each represent a different region of Multnomah County. District 2 encompasses North and some of Northeast Portland, stretching east from the Willamette River to Northeast 182nd, with its northern boundary the Columbia River and its […]
Posted inNews
The Mercury Endorses: Jennifer McGuirk for Multnomah County Auditor
FRIENDS OF JENNIFER MCGUIRK Auditors are arguably the most important elected officials in government—as well as the least known. These are the powerful nerds who dig into files reporters never get to see in order to reveal mismanagement, waste, and abuse in government programs. These are the clear-eyed folks who sift through budgets and talk […]
Posted inNews
The Mercury Endorses: Jo Ann Hardesty for City Comissioner, Position 3
Jo Ann for Portland Portland is overdue for a leader like Jo Ann Hardesty. Most recently the president of the Portland chapter of the NAACP, Hardesty has decades of experience both inside the halls of government and outside its marble steps, pointing out its flaws with protest signs and rallying cries. While a win would […]
Posted inNews
The Mercury Endorses: Kayse Jama for Oregon Senate, District 24
FRIENDS OF KAYSE JAMA District 24, which includes the area between 82nd Avenue and Gresham and follows I-205 south to Happy Valley, has quickly become one of Oregon’s most diverse districts. As historically diverse corners of inner Portland are hit with skyrocketing rents and mortgages (looking at you, Albina), many longtime Portlanders have had to […]
Posted inNews
The Mercury Endorses: Nick Fish for Portland City Commissioner, Position 2
NICK FISH FOR PORTLAND So far, we’ve been pushing for change in this election—but in this particular race, we’re going with the incumbent. City Commissioner Nick Fish has been around a while, but with a solid record on the issues we care about and an open and earnest demeanor, he’s worth hanging on to. He’s […]
Posted inNews
The Mercury‘s Endorsements for the May 2018 Election!
MAIA BOAKYE By now, you’ve discovered a ballot in your mailbox and thought, “Huh, I guess there’s an election.” YOU ARE CORRECT! But, before that ballot gets buried in your recycling bin, we’d like to remind you why this election matters and who we think deserves your oval scribble of approval. We don’t care if […]