Logo
ISSUE #34.25 • SPECIAL SECTION •

Oregon House District 45


Northeast Portland


BY WW EDITORIAL STAFF | 503-243-2122

[April 30th, 2008]

Michael Dembrow


Democrat

Tattoo he’d get: Dembrow says his religion, Judaism, forbids tattoos.

This is another open seat vacated by a representative looking to climb into the Senate—in this case, Rep. Jackie Dingfelder, who has held the seat for four terms.

The surprisingly easy choice here is Michael Dembrow, a 56-year-old English instructor at Portland Community College for the past 27 years. Gov. Ted Kulongoski recently chose Dembrow to serve on the State Board of Higher Education, a mark of the respect he has earned as a faculty leader at the learning institution with the largest enrollment in the state.

Given that PCC educates more teenagers than any Portland high school, Dembrow would bring valuable perspective to the debate over both K-12 and higher-ed budgets, especially when it comes to the oft-neglected but vital realm of community colleges.

We’re a little concerned about Dembrow’s fealty to union interests (his website lists no fewer than 16 labor endorsements, and Lord knows voters in this district have gotten plenty of mailers touting that backing). But he makes a far stronger case for himself than the other two candidates in this race: Jon Coney, a Metro spokesman who offers little beyond a vague interest in reforming Oregon’s tax structure, and Cyreena Boston, a highly touted newcomer who is short on experience and specifics.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Video of WW endorsement interview (thanks to Portland Community Media)




Comment on Oregon House District 45   Comment RSS feed

Fred  writes on Apr 30th, 2008 1:02pm

Hooray for your endorsement of Michael Dembrow in the HD45 race! I know this is the year experience isn't supposed to count for anything (which George Bush proved, of course). But Dembrow is indeed the clear choice in this race. He could be playing golf and chasing after his grandkids, but he clearly is driven to help Oregonians in the state House. HD45 residents will benefit so much from his experience and his seasoned perspective.

Oregonian37  writes on Apr 30th, 2008 10:20pm

Michael is a fantastic choice for the legislature. We need his experience, intelligence, and with the coming economic difficulties, his understanding of the educational engine that will make or break the future liveability of this state.

Lindsay  writes on May 1st, 2008 11:53am

Shame on the WillyWeek for overlooking Ms. Boston! She's a rising star! A local from the community, smart, innovative, and exactly what Oregon politics needs!

How can you endorse Obama and not endorse Cyreena?! She's change, she's progress, and she's committed.

Geri  writes on May 2nd, 2008 5:09pm

WHAT IS WRONG WITH UNIONS?!

WW, this is ridiculous  writes on May 4th, 2008 11:58am

Cyreena Boston is hardly short on experience, especially for how young she is. She was the first consituency director for any state democratic party, and she's worked for Multnomah County in looking at healthcare as well as helping disadvantaged students. For a 28 year old, I'd say that shows lots of dedication and experience.

As for specifics, I don't think you need a specific plan for every issue as a state legislater. You only need the willingness to find solutions to our state's problems, as well as a clear stance on where you stand in those issues. Cyreena undoubtedly has both of those things.

I agree with Lindsay, shame on you for overlooking her.

Comment on the "Oregon House District 45" article
President
WW EDITORIAL STAFF | Democrat
U.S. Senate (D)
WW EDITORIAL STAFF
U.S. Senate (R)
WW EDITORIAL STAFF
U.S. House District 1 (D)
WW EDITORIAL STAFF | Downtown Portland, Northwest Oregon, Pacific Coast
U.S. House District 1 (R)
WW EDITORIAL STAFF | Downtown Portland, Northwest Oregon, Pacific Coast
U.S. House District 3
WW EDITORIAL STAFF | From East Portland out to Government Camp
U.S. House District 5 (D)
WW EDITORIAL STAFF | Clackamas, Marion and Polk counties and the Central Coast
U.S. House District 5 (R)
WW EDITORIAL STAFF
Oregon Secretary of State
WW EDITORIAL STAFF | Democrat
Oregon Attorney General
WW EDITORIAL STAFF | Democrat
Oregon Senate District 23
WW EDITORIAL STAFF | Northeast Portland
Oregon House District 38
WW EDITORIAL STAFF | Lake Oswego, Southwest Portland
Oregon House District 42
WW EDITORIAL STAFF | Inner Southeast Portland
Oregon House District 45
WW EDITORIAL STAFF | Northeast Portland
Oregon House District 49
WW EDITORIAL STAFF | East Multnomah County
Oregon House District 52 (D)
WW EDITORIAL STAFF | Parts of Clackamas and Multnomah counties and all of Hood River County
Oregon House District 52 (R)
WW EDITORIAL STAFF | Parts of Clackamas and Multnomah counties and all of Hood River County
Measure 51
WW EDITORIAL STAFF | Yes!
Measure 52
WW EDITORIAL STAFF | Yes!
Measure 53
WW EDITORIAL STAFF | Yes!
Portland Mayor
WW EDITORIAL STAFF | Nonpartisan
Portland City Commissioner, Position 1
WW EDITORIAL STAFF | Nonpartisan
Portland City Commissioner, Position 2
WW EDITORIAL STAFF | Nonpartisan
Portland City Commissioner, Position 4
WW EDITORIAL STAFF | Nonpartisan
Multnomah County Commissioner, District 1
WW EDITORIAL STAFF | A slice of inner Southeast Portland and everything west of the Willamette River
Multnomah County Commissioner, District 3
WW EDITORIAL STAFF | Most of inner Southeast and a slice of inner Northeast Portland
Multnomah County Commissioner, District 4
WW EDITORIAL STAFF | East Multnomah County
Metro District 2
WW EDITORIAL STAFF | Clackamas County and Southwest Portland
Metro District 6
WW EDITORIAL STAFF | Southeast and Southwest Portland
 

Ad

Ad

Ad


Recently in Willamette Week
December 31st 1969Washington State | The Canada of Oregon has it all—a Stonehenge replica, a longboarder's concrete wet dream and dark, damp underground lava caves. Vive les rocks.
December 31st 1969Oregon's Outer Edges | Crater Lake. Hell's Canyon. Wallowa and Steens mountain ranges. Hell, yeah.
December 31st 1969Central Oregon/High Desert | No rain, plenty of snow, obsidian flows and great local beer. The folks from the real eastside know how to unbend outside.
December 31st 1969Great Cascades/Columbia Gorge | With plenty of room to roam—and hot springs for your weary feet—it's the place to ramble and relax for the weekend.
December 31st 1969Willamette Valley | Monks, tracks, tubing and wine make the fertile strip a virile place to play.
December 31st 1969Stumptown | Tons of public parks, an extinct volcano and nude beach volleyball to keep you jolly. Get out and collect those merit badges, without leaving the city.
December 31st 1969The Coast | The beaches are public. You own them. Go play—hike in the old-growth forests.
December 31st 1969Cycle Tour 101: Your on-bike guide to Highway 101 | To ride the greatest bike route in Oregon, you need to get out of Portland.
December 31st 1969Doggin' It | What happens when a Portland running club jogs with pooches from the pound?
December 31st 1969Over the Edge | Sam Drevo will paddle yr ass.