Salem, Ore. – The Oregon Working Families Party announced its first round of endorsements for the Oregon State Legislature. In making these endorsements, OR WFP is supporting a group of working class champions who will maintain Democratic supermajorities in both chambers as well build a nascent Working Families caucus in the legislature. More endorsements, also made by the OR WFP’s state committee, will come in the new year.

This group includes House Majority Leader Ben Bowman and Senate Majority Leader Kayse Jama, along with a mix of incumbents and newcomers who can flip legislative seats from red to blue. Candidates include teachers, doctors, advocates, and labor leaders from across the state.  

Newcomers are Kori Rodley (HD 7; Springfield), Ivan Maluski (HD 11; Lebanon), Gabrielle Roesch-McNally (HD 15; Albany, Millersburg, Tangent), Tammy Rose Carpenter (HD 27; Beaverton), John “Waz” Wasielewski (HD 38; Lake Oswego), Nick Walden Poublon (HD 52; Hood River) and Virginia Stapleton (SD 11; Salem/Keizer) 

Endorsed incumbents are Reps. Lesly Muñoz (HD 22 – Salem/Woodburn), Ben Bowman (HD 25; Tigard), Farrah Chaichi (HD 35; Beaverton, Aloha), Jules Waters (HD 37; Tualitin), Zach Hudson (HD 49; Troutdale, Fairview, Wood Village, Gresham, Portland), and Sen. Kayse Jama (SD 24: East Portland, Damascus, Boring).

“Our state is in a budget crisis and once again some in leadership are asking working class people to tighten their belts and bear the entire burden,” said Annie Naranjo-Rivera, Oregon Working Families Party state director. “While some Democrats in leadership are talking about increasing the sales tax, these principled Oregon Working Families Party leaders are proposing solutions that instead target the wealthiest Oregonians, who aren’t paying their fair share in our communities. They know we can’t balance the state’s budget on the backs of our working people. The days of endless corporate handouts are over. It is time to re-center the working people of Oregon” 

These elections present Oregon WFP and our State Committee organizations with the opportunity to get deep in communities across the state, connect with outstanding candidates, as well as train and support working families champions. 

Oregon WFP will support endorsed candidates in making voter contacts via field organizing by doorknocking, phone, and text. The Party will also build up candidates’ campaign infrastructure, offering campaign consulting, cutting-edge campaign services and tools. The Oregon Working Families Party is known for its work in building and executing effective grassroots programs. 

“Oregonians need fierce leaders who won’t compromise their ability to make a living wage, and take care of their families, said Reyna Lopez, Co-Chair of the Oregon Working Families Party and Executive Director of PCUN. “We’re proud to endorse these candidates, who are committed to fighting for our families and our communities. They won’t back down as ICE terrorizes our children. They will step up to defend our schools, community services, and healthcare. They are committed to building the Oregon we deserve.”

In May of this year, OR WFP notched several important victories across the state in school board races. WFP-supported candidates flipped the school board in Redmond, made significant gains in establishing solid progressive blocs on the Portland and Salem-Keizer school boards, and won a long-shot school board race in Medford. This is in addition to other significant wins in building Working Families Party power in Portland’s city council and elsewhere as Oregon WFP builds the bench for future candidates for local, state and federal races.

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The Oregon Working Families Party is a grassroots, multiracial political party building governing power for working people. WFP supports leaders who fight for economic justice, housing people can afford, strong public services, and a democracy that includes all of us.