Three open seats on the Multnomah County Commission

Endorsement season has begun at the Oregonian. On Sunday, some of the earliest endorsements came in the three races for Multnomah County Commission - where all three seats up this year are open races. In 2006, when the other two county seats were won by newcomers Jeff Cogen and Ted Wheeler. In the space of just two years, the entire county commission will have been replaced.

Here's a detailed map of the county districts.

In District 1, the O endorsed Deborah Kafoury, a former state legislator and Democratic leader, who faces "token opposition."

In District 4, the O endorsed Carla Piluso, currently the police chief in Gresham - over three other candidates:

Piluso's police experience gives her the edge. She has the expertise not only to help the county open the mothballed Wapato Jail, but to sharp-pencil safety-net services.

In District 3, the O endorsed Rob Milesnick, who works as a legislative advocate for ODS Health Plans.

The toughest choice, by far, faces voters in District 3, covering Southeast Portland, where there are five serious candidates. Roy Burkett, 55, who has a background in the ministry and in electronics, held his own in a previous try for the county board.

Bruce Barclay, 55, a former appraiser, works in the county assessor's office and has some intriguing ideas about collecting property taxes. Impressively, instead of paying a fee, he obtained 500 signatures to get on the ballot.

The two most experienced candidates are Mike Delman, 51, public affairs director for the Portland Habilitation Center, a nonprofit that trains the disabled; and Judy Shiprack, 57, a former legislator with a lengthy resume of public service in law, housing and public safety. But the polished Milesnick would bring new energy and a fresh approach. It's telling that he earned endorsements from former county Chair Bev Stein and former Gov. Barbara Roberts.

Here's the Willamette Week endorsement interview of the District 3 candidates:

Read the rest of the Oregonian endorsement. Discuss.