Kate Brown Picks Up Big Check, Debates Buehler Today

News Secretary of State Kate Brown reported a hefty check today—$50,000 from winemaker Eric Lemelson.
Lemelson was one of the state's largest political donors in 2008 and 2010 but has been largely absent from the 2012 cycle. His contribution, however, is a sign of how seriously Brown is taking the challenge from Republican Dr. Knute Buehler and two others, Seth Woolley ...   More

 

Friday, October 26, 2012 by NIGEL JAQUISS

Hot House

Strippers and union goons, fetuses and convicts—they’re all appearing in the fierce battle for control of the Oregon House.

Elections Observers of the Portland mayor’s race have whined about campaign tactics this year. But running for City Hall is like sipping high tea...   More

 

Wednesday, October 24, 2012 NIGEL JAQUISS

"Bad Neighbor" Cleans Up His Act

News Last year, WW published a cover story called "Bad Neighbor" about an abandoned mansion in Laurelhurst and the conflict around that property and its onetime-owner, Peter Fournier.
Over the weekend, The Oregonian caught up with    More

 

Tuesday, October 23, 2012 by NIGEL JAQUISS

Jefferson Smith Campaign Will Stump for School Bond

Smith amends filings with state, gives money to PPS campaign

News Mayoral candidate Rep. Jefferson Smith (D-Portland) took an unusual step on Monday—he amended his campaign committee filings with the Secretary of State's elections division to reflect that his staff will now shift some of their time and energy to helping support the campaign for Portland Public Schools $482 million capital bond measure.
Smith is also giving $5,000 of...   More

 

Tuesday, October 23, 2012 by NIGEL JAQUISS

Nena Cook Antes Up In Supreme Court Race

News Nena Cook, who is competing with Multnomah County Court Judge Richard Baldwin for a vacancy on the Oregon Supreme Court, reported loaning her campaign $80,000 yesterday. That loan comes on top of an earlier $10,000 Cook, a business and employment lawyer at the Sussman Shank firm in Portland, gave herself. She has also received $40,000 of the $232,000 she's raised this year from her m...   More

 

Thursday, October 18, 2012 by NIGEL JAQUISS

Hales Breaks Big Promise, Flipflopping on His Pledge to Limit Campaign Contributions

Mayoral candidate's $600 limit boxed him—so now he's abandoning it

News Portland mayoral candidate Charlie Hales is breaking one of the biggest campaign promises he’s made to the city since finishing first in the May primary race. In June, Hales said he would voluntarily limit the campaign contributions he accepted for the fall election, and he urged his opponent in the runoff, state Rep. Jefferson Smith (D-East Portland), to do the same.
"F...   More

 

Thursday, October 18, 2012 by NIGEL JAQUISS

Wood Village Casino Backers Fold Campaign

More than $6 million spent on Measures 82 and 83

News Proponents of Ballot Measures 82 and 83 made the surprise announcement this afternoon that they are calling off their campaign just three days before ballots for the Nov. 6 general election go in the mail.The news comes after two Canadian investment groups pumped more than $6 million into an effort to get voters to warm up to the idea of a private casino in Wood Village they called "The ...   More

 

Tuesday, October 16, 2012 by NIGEL JAQUISS

Anti-Tax Activist Don McIntire Dies

News Anti-tax activist Don McIntire, who fundamentally changed Oregon's system of property taxation, has died.Details of McIntire's death are still unclear, says his longtime colleague, Jason Williams, with whom McIntire founded the Taxpayer Association of Oregon in 2000.
"The only thing I know is that he passed away from a heart attack in his home," Williams told WW.
   More

 

Friday, October 12, 2012 by NIGEL JAQUISS

Ted Wheeler Calls Jefferson Smith's Behavior "Unacceptable"

In A Video Interview, Oregon's State Treasurer "Concerned" By Smith Supporters' Online Comments

News State Treasurer Ted Wheeler earlier this week weighed in on Facebook about the recent reports that mayoral candidate Rep. Jefferson Smith was charged with a misdemeanor assault in 1993 for punching a woman at a college party.

In an interview today with WW, Wheeler explained what prompted him to post his message.









Prior to his election as s...   More

 

Thursday, October 11, 2012 by NIGEL JAQUISS

Ralph Nader Blasts Kate Brown in New Radio Ad

Consumer activist throws support behind Progressive Party's Wolfe

News Secretary of State Kate Brown's hands are getting fuller. The incumbent already faces a stiff challenge from well-funded GOP candidate Dr. Knute Buehler;  Seth Woolley of the Pacific Green Party; and, Bob Wolfe of the Progressive Party.Wolfe was the chief petitioner on a marijuana legalization initiative that failed to make the ballot earlier this year after...   More

 

Wednesday, October 10, 2012 by NIGEL JAQUISS