Metro Picks Ex-Gov. Barbara Roberts: Updated

By NIGEL JAQUISS
 

The Metro Council today selected former Gov. Barbara Roberts, 74,  to replace resigned councilor Robert Liberty, ending a whirlwind process. She does not plan to seek election next year to a full term (Bob Stacey, who withdrew from consideration for appointment to this seat, already has said he will run in next year's election.)


Updated at 4:06 pm: In the first round of voting, Metro Council President Tom Hughes cast the only "no," vote for Roberts, voting instead for former lawmaker and trade union leader Bob Shiprack. That was a safe vote for Hughes, because Roberts had a solid majority going into the process. Saying "no" to Roberts in that situation was savvy tactical move on Hughes' part: Hughes, the former Hillsboro mayor who is a bit of an outsider at Metro, can maintain his independence. And, he can now tell Shiprack's union supporters that he wanted Shiprack all along but got outvoted. Councilor Carl Hosticka then moved for a unanimous vote and Hughes supported Roberts on the second round.


Here's the statement from Metro:


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