Governor commits to continued progress on working people’s issues

PORTLAND – Oregon Working Families Party (Oregon WFP) has endorsed Governor Tina Kotek for a second term to deliver on bread and butter economic issues for working people. The Oregon Working Families Party held its nominating convention this past Sunday at the historic ILWU Local 8 Union Hall, bringing together more than 200 members, electeds, and Oregon WFP State Committee organizations from across the state.

Following a rigorous process and a vote by the membership, Governor Kotek received the Oregon Working Families Party’s cross-nomination for Governor.

“Thank you to the Oregon Working Families Party for inviting me to your convention and for the honor of earning your cross-nomination,” said Governor Kotek (D/WFP). “Oregonians deserve a governor who will defend frontline communities from immediate attacks and deliver on a better future. My opponent does not share our vision for Oregon, and I refuse to let us go backward. But this election is not only about what we are fighting against – it is also about what we are fighting for: an Oregon where working people can afford a home, quality childcare, and the basic
costs of living; where they can join a union, raise a family, and retire with dignity. I’m proud to earn this cross-nomination by re-committing to that work.”

Members described the vote as a direct response to the Governor’s willingness to put her name behind specific, accountable pledges rather than general statements of support.

“Across the country we see candidates winning when they stand with working people. By attending our convention and committing to working people’s issues, Governor Kotek is grounding herself with the priorities of Oregon’s multiracial working class,” said Annie Naranjo-Rivera, State Director of Oregon Working Families Party. “The Governor made commitments that give working people across Oregon concrete policy goals to organize around and fight for in the November election.”

Governor Kotek committed to pursuing policy aligned with the values of the Working Families Party, including:

● Defending immigrant communities and enforcing Oregon’s sanctuary protections and Immigrant Justice Package.
● Holding corporations accountable to the commitments they make to Oregon
communities when they receive public dollars.
● Protecting farmworker overtime and Oregon’s climate protections.
● Advancing universal preschool statewide and supporting the model created by
Preschool For All in Multnomah County.
● Expanding access to higher education.
● Strengthening campaign finance transparency.
● Investing in restorative justice and programs that reduce recidivism.
● Creating family-sustaining jobs through clean energy, advanced manufacturing, and
major infrastructure projects.
● Meeting with the Working Families legislative caucus during the legislative session.

“Our members have sent a clear message: they will support candidates who can point to a concrete plan for working people,” said Annie Naranjo-Rivera. “This cross-nomination is not a favor. It is the result of Governor Kotek being in dialogue with members of our party, hearing what multiracial working-class families in Oregon are up against, and putting her name on commitments that working families can hold her to.”

Oregon uses fusion voting, which allows more than one party to nominate the same candidate. For the Oregon Working Families Party, the nomination shows alignment with the goal of building power for the multiracial working class.

The Oregon Working Families Party is a force in state politics, proving that recruiting, training, and supporting candidates who fight for working families is a winning strategy.

Learn more about the Oregon Working Families Party at workingfamilies.org/state/oregon/.
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