Skip to main contentMichael Dembrow
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)
WWeek 2015