Democrats meet in Eugene to endorse ballot measures, pass urgent resolutions

Democrats meet in Eugene to endorse ballot measures, pass urgent resolutions 

EUGENE — With Election Day less than three months away, more than three hundred Democratic Party of Oregon activists gathered in Eugene this past weekend to solidify grassroots voter outreach skills and make endorsements on the statewide ballot measures that Oregonians will be voting on this November.

The State Central Committee (SCC) of the Democratic Party of Oregon met this past weekend at Lane Community College for their 3rd quarter meeting of 2018. In addition to the ballot measure endorsements, the SCC passed six urgent resolutions, heard updates from candidates and campaigns, and welcomed a number of statewide and local elected officials to the meetings. 

“This is where the rubber meets the road,” said Jeanne Atkins, Chair of the Democratic Party of Oregon. “We are less than 100 days away from the most important election our lifetimes. Democrats from all corners of Oregon are organized and eager to re-elect Kate Brown, repeal and replace Greg Walden with Jamie McLeod-Skinner, and defend and expand our legislative majorities in Salem.” 

Elected officials who participated in and contributed to the SCC Meetings in Eugene this weekend included State Senators Lew Frederick, James Manning, Lee Beyer, and Floyd Prozanski; State Representatives Julie Fahey, Nancy Nathanson, and Tawna Sanchez; Labor Commissioner-elect Val Hoyle, Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs Tribal Council Representative Carina Miller, Former Eugene Mayor Kitty Piercy, Milwaukie Mayor Mark Gamba, and many other local elected officials critical to building Democratic support across the state.

In addition to electing and reelecting Democrats, the Party is focused on fighting back against a number of regressive ballot measures that will appear on the November ballot. With the exception of recommended “Yes” vote on Measure 102, a constitutional amendment to help communities create more affordable housing, the SCC voted to endorse “No” votes on all other statewide ballot measures:

Measure 102: Vote Yes 
Measure 103: Vote No 
Measure 104: Vote No
Measure 105: Vote No
Measure 106: Vote No

(The SCC previously voted to support a vote against Measure 105 in June 2017, then known as Initiative Petition 22). 

Both petitioners and opponents of each measure were invited to participate. However, the petitioners of Measures 103, 104, and 106 did not respond to the DPO’s invitation to advocate on behalf of their measures. 

The SCC also considered a number of Resolutions on Sunday, including statements in opposition to the Trump Administration's immigration policies and the actions of ICE and support for the DNC’s superdelegate proposal to be considered later this month at DNC Meetings in Chicago. Approved resolutions include:

Resolution 2018-004: Opposing cuts to Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid and repeal of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act

Resolution 2018-005: The Democratic Party Must Rescind Its Commitment to Pay-Go

Resolution 2018-006: Regarding The Keep Families Together Act

Resolution 2018-007: Declaring Support for Ending the Influence of Superdelegates

Resolution 2018-008: Resolution for Humane Immigration Enforcement

Resolution 2018-009: Protecting Labor and Environment

Resolution 2018-010: Responding to the Salem-Keizer School District's Proposed Policies be Adopted

The 4th Quarter meeting of the SCC will be held on December 2nd, 2018. 

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