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BY ELLENA ROSENTHAL
Sharon Meieran is leading a field of seven candidates for Multnomah County Commission District 1, and appears headed for a runoff against Eric Zimmerman.
Early returns from the county election's division show Meieran has 41 percent of the vote, while Zimmerman has 23 percent.
Zimmerman, chief of staff to County Commissioner Diane McKeel, banked on his experience at the county to win support from voters. Meieran, an emergency room physician, drew on her careers in medicine and the law, arguing that Multnomah County voters need her expertise to better serve residents grappling with mental health problems.
On Tuesday night, surrounded by supporters and family at Jackknife bar in downtown Portland, Meieran said, with a big grin, "We gave great choices to voters, and I look forward to meeting more voters, and to help the most people in the most effective way possible."
Meieran's address was greeted with applause and a chorus of "I love you Sharon!" coming from the crowd of mostly older Portlanders.
Zimmerman and Meieran emerged from a crowded field of seven candidates seeking to replace Commissioner Jules Bailey, who chose to run for Portland mayor.
Brian Wilson, making his second bid for this office, is currently in fifth place.
He at one point charged that Zimmerman was unqualified to run for the position, saying he didn't meet the residency requirements. But county officials rejected the complaint, clearing Zimmerman's run.
Zimmerman and Meieran each earned coveted endorsements in the race, with public safety unions siding with Zimmerman. Multnomah County Chair Deborah Kafoury endorsed Meieran, who ran for the Oregon House in 2012, losing to Jennifer Williamson.
Kafoury said she's known Meieran for a few years, and is impressed with her grasp of issues. "The biggest struggles at Multnomah County are homelessness and mental illness," she says, "and [Meieran] has real world experience."
Kafoury added: "This is exactly what we need."
Galen Barnett, a former journalist at The Oregonian, came out to support his friend. "She's determined, real smart, and the most knowledgeable about mental health, justice and healthcare," he says. "She's incredibly qualified."
Over at Zimmerman election-night party, Zimmerman praised his team for running a positive campaign.
"We're in a great spot right now," he says. "We feel very good about the race."
Willamette Week