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Common Cause Oregon Releases Political History of Russ Walker and FreedomWorks and Updates of Reports on Allies Mannix and Parks Report

October 28, 2009

 

Common Cause Oregon has released a report on FreedomWorks, a national group opposed to health care reform and its Oregon director, Russ Walker. Updates to previous political histories of Walker allies, Kevin Mannix and Loren Parks, are also released. Loren Parks is now Oregon’s $13 million dollar man in terms of political contributions with more support coming from his foundations.

 

Russ Walker is an increasingly important player in Oregon’s conservative politics, most recently working with partners Ross Day and Kevin Mannix to qualify Measures 66 and 67 to January special election. FreedomWorks’ claims of grassroots activism, however, have been characterized by the press as being “a fig leaf for corporate lobbying.” Loren Parks, either directly or through Parks Medical Electronics, has given $1,1,859,334 to Russ Walker’s political efforts.

 

 

Democracy Reform Oregon Releases Money in Oregon Politics Report

April 21, 2009

With backing from research findings in an extensive analysis of the role of money in Oregon politics, groups call for legislative passage of HB 3009 on campaign finance reform.

“Oregon’s elected officials are good folks stuck in a bad system,” said Janice Thompson, Executive Director of Democracy Reform Oregon and author of Money in Oregon Politics: History, Trends, and Reform. “We urge legislative adoption of the campaign finance reform provisions in HB 3009.”

 

 

Highlights of 2008 Candidate Fundraising, Release of 2006 Post-Election Donations Analysis that Demonstrates Need for Reform

November 3, 2008

Democracy Reform Oregon releases analysis of “hedged bets” and post-election contributions to 2006 legislative candidates that demonstrates that our campaign finance system is broken. Trends in 2008 general election candidate fundraising contribute to the need for 2009 legislative action on campaign finance reform.

General election fundraising for contested legislative races have broken the half million dollar mark for two candidates with others close behind. Toby Forsberg in House district 39 is the top legislative candidate fundraiser since the May primary with almost $550,000 in contributions. Judy Stiegler running in House district 54 has raised $520,000. Forsberg faces Bill Kennemer who has raised over $285,000 while Stiegler is challenging incumbent Chuck Burley who has received contributions since the May primary of almost $425,000.

 

 

Hearing Examiner Makes the Right Call

March 21, 2008

Democracy Reform Oregon is pleased to see any candidate, including Sho Dozono, opt into the Voter-Owned Elections program. Many candidates met all of the qualifying requirements and others did not, but all of their efforts are to be applauded.

It should be no surprise, however, that complaints were filed about the certification decision allowing Mr. Dozono to receive public financing because there were valid concerns about whether or not current program rules allow for major private contributions, such as the Dozono poll, during the qualifying period. The hearings process worked exactly as intended to provide a full airing of pros and cons of the Auditor Gary Blackmer’s certification decision.

 

 

Portland Campaign Season Begins with Spending Limits and Increased Public Involvement Due to VOE; Administrative Rigor Needed

March 5, 2008

Voter-Owned Elections continues to improve city campaigns with a diverse set of candidates who inspired over 10,000 Portlanders to make $5 contributions so they could qualify for public financing. Many non-participating candidates are also agreeing to self-imposed spending and contribution caps that help meet reform goals of reducing special interest influence and bringing the cost of campaigns within reach of more potential candidates.

“Record numbers of people are now playing a meaningful role in candidate selection because of Voter-Owned Elections,” said Janice Thompson, executive director of Democracy Reform Oregon. “Also, special interest influence will be reduced even on non-participating candidates since so many of them are agreeing to the spending caps that apply to program participants.”

 

 

Political History of Bill Sizemore Now Available Online

February 27, 2008

Democracy Reform Oregon releases a 98-page history of Bill Sizemore’s political activities with a detailed compilation of campaign fundraising and election victories and losses as well as media coverage and court documentation of Sizemore’s legal difficulties, business dealings, and impacts on Oregon’s initiative process.

 

“Compiling a record of Sizemore’s political activities since 1993 seems timely as he re-emerges as a key player in Oregon politics who may qualify as many as six measures to the November 2008 ballot,” said Janice Thompson, executive director of Democracy Reform Oregon. “Recapping dynamics affecting petition circulation in the last 15 years also helps put Sizemore’s activities into perspective.”

 

 

Reformers Congratulate Candidates Seeking to Qualify for Voter-Owned Reform

January 31, 2008

Democracy Reform Oregon and the League of Women Voters of Portland applaud the grassroots efforts of candidates seeking to qualify in Portland’s Voter-Owned Elections reform program whose qualifying period ends today.

 

“It is great to see a diverse pool of potential Portland candidates seeking to use the Voter-Owned Elections option,” said Carol Cushman, president of the League of Women Voters of Portland. “Their participation relies on demonstrating broad support from Portlanders. Thousand are now playing a significant role in determining who runs for city offices.”