News

2010 Primary – Multnomah Supplemental Endorsements

Oregon artPAC recently invited candidates in the two Multnomah County Commissioners Supplemental contests to answer five arts related questions via a written questionnaire. Oregon artPAC evaluated the responses and held follow up interviews at the Froelick Gallery in Northwest Portland. Oregon artPAC made the following endorsements encouraging all voters who value the role of arts and culture in our communities to support these candidates with both their votes and dollars:

• Jeff Cogen (Multnomah County Chair)
• Karol Collymore (Multnomah County Commissioner #2)

With a number of well qualified candidates vying for the Commissioner #2 position, Oregon artPAC had a difficult decision to make. The PAC was impressed with Karol Collymore’s energy, enthusiasm and her commitment to the arts, but were also impressed with the knowledge, experience and innovative thinking exhibited by Paul van Orden. The PAC ultimately decided to endorse Collymore, but encourages van Orden to continue the pursuit of his political ambitions if unsuccessful in this contest.

Oregon artPAC previously endorsed Jeff Cogen in his first run for office in 2006 and again several months ago when he ran for the Commissioner #2 position prior to becoming interim chair in the wake of Ted Wheeler’s resignation. Oregon artPAC has found Cogen to be an energetic and responsible leader who can most effectively lead the county forward.

2010 Primary Election – Multnomah Update

With the surprise announcement of Ted Wheeler’s appointment as the state’s new treasurer, Oregon artPAC will renew its endorsement process with candidates for Multnomah County Chair and Multnomah County Commissioner District #2.

Look for a future announcement regarding these contests.

Endorsements for 2010

Portland Commissioner Nick Fish being interviewed at the Oregon College of Art and Craft by (left to right) Mary Ann Deffenbaugh, Jessica Jarratt, Jaisen Glogowski, Stan Penkin, Tim DuRoche and Chuck Clemans

Oregon artPAC is pleased to announce its endorsements in the 2010 primary election. With so many dedicated and qualified candidates, our decision process was difficult. We ultimately selected those candidates who we felt best reflected the highest level of commitment to arts and culture funding and the ability to follow through if elected.

• Metro Councilor #1: Shirley Craddick
• Metro Councilor #2: Carlotta Collette
• Clackamas County Commissioner #3: Ann Lininger
• Clackamas County Commissioner #5: Jim Bernard
• Washington County Commissioner #4: Greg Mecklem
• Washington County Chair: Dick Schouten
• Multnomah County Commissioner #2: Jeff Cogen
• Multnomah County Chair: Ted Wheeler
• Portland Commissioner #2: Nick Fish
• Portland Commissioner #3: Dan Saltzman

Oregon artPAC is neutral in the Metro Council President’s race and will consider this contest again in the general election.

The endorsed candidates understand that arts and culture is a vital component of the infrastructure which is vital to our children’s growth, to our economy and to the overall vitality of our region. artPAC will continue to work towards educating our leaders about arts and culture issues and supporting those candidates who best understand and commit to its future well being. We encourage all voters who value the role of arts and culture in our communities to support these candidates with both their votes and dollars.

Candidates in various contests throughout the Portland metropolitan region were invited to answer five questions via a written questionnaire. We evaluated the responses of seventeen candidates and held follow up face to face interviews on separate days at the Oregon College of interviews held on separate days at the Oregon College of Art and Craft and the Howden Gallery in Oregon City. We invite you to read the questions and responses. Use the password “artsandculture” to read the report. We wish to thank all the participating candidates and our team of evaluators and supporters from Washington, Clackamas and Multnomah Counties.

We appreciate your support of arts and culture and would be honored to have you join us in this important effort, and to assist us by making a donation.

Please feel free to contact us with any questions you might have at oregonartpac@yahoo.com

Directors Announcement

artPAC is pleased to announce that the following have agreed to serve as Directors: Chuck Clemans, Mary Anne Deffenbaugh, Fred Ross and Stanley Penkin, who will also continue to serve as Treasurer.

artPAC is further pleased to announce the creation of its Endorsement Advisory Council and welcomes the following people to this esteemed group:

• Gwyneth Gamble Booth
• Mark Edlen
• Diana Gerding
• Judie Hammerstad
• Vera Katz
• Thomas Lauderdale
• Alice Norris
• Dan Wieden

We are grateful for their support and continued dedication to the arts.

To read past updates, check out our 2008 news page.