Portland needs Mayor Jefferson Smith
Chip Shields
There are a lot of great candidates in the race for Portland Mayor. I'm voting for Jefferson Smith because he is the most progressive candidate in the race, but I’m also voting for Jefferson Smith because I have seen him deliver real results as my colleague fighting for justice in the Oregon legislature. I believe that in the race for Portland Mayor, we need to choose someone who can not only hit the ground running, but we need someone who can deliver real results right away. That’s Jefferson Smith.
I've represented N/NE Portland for over seven years. Living-wage jobs, health care, schools and equality are my top priorities. I'm proud to have endorsed Jefferson because he has demonstrated a unique ability to lead during his time in the Oregon Legislature. From working in a split Oregon House in order to balance the state's difficult budget to developing bipartisan legislation to solve tough water issues, Jeff has shown that he has what it takes to collaboratively work through problems.
Back in the 1990’s, the City of Portland had money for big, new projects. But now times are leaner and budgets are tighter. Of the candidates, Jefferson has worked with budget shortfalls to bring them into balance, rather than making them deeper. Portland needs Jefferson's experience. The next mayor will set key financial priorities. Jefferson will be ready to go on day one with the necessary skills to meet the city's needs while being mindful of what we can afford to pay for.
Jeff will also be ready on day one in another key way: he understands how to bring together people who disagree to find common ground and move forward. He co-led the bipartisan landmark effort on budget transparency to put Oregon government spending online. With Democratic Speaker Arnie Roblan and Republicans Kim Thatcher and Gene Whisnant, he helped increase Oregon’s grade for budget transparency.
Jefferson's plan to nurture and grow Portland's homegrown businesses highlights Jeff's ability to bring together those who often disagree. He was the co-Chief sponsor of Grow Oregon legislation, which created a plan for market intelligence for homegrown businesses. He collaborated with Rep. Sal Esquivel (R-Medford), Rep. Vic Gilliam (R-Seattle), Rep. Bill Kennemer (R-Oregon City), Rep. Bob Jenson (R-Pendleton) and Rep. Peter Buckley (D-Ashland), Rep. Greg Matthews (D-Gresham), Rep. Nancy Nathanson (D-Eugene). Together this bipartisan group launched Oregon’s economic gardening plan to grow local business first rather than paying big companies to relocate. Jefferson knows most new jobs come from earlier-stage, homegrown companies. The Small Business Development Centers “Get Growing” program and the new Grow Oregon pilot are helping those companies find new markets and new customers with proven tools normally available only to larger businesses. Harvard’s Kennedy School recently named the concept that inspired the bill a “Top 25 Government Innovation".
Jefferson's experience bridging his work in the legislature with local government and organizations will also serve the city well. Portland's mayor will need to work with Salem to solve municipal problems. Working with District Attorneys, advocacy groups like Oregon Center for Christian Voices and Multnomah County Commissioner Diane McKeel, Jeff brought Republicans on board and passed the Human Trafficking Hotline bill unanimously. He was also Chief Sponsor of HB 4146, which created a special process for expunging adjudications for child sex trafficking victims who were charged with prostitution while being trafficked. This bill passed unanimously.
Due to our city's collaborative mayor/city council system, the mayor must have experience bringing together people that sometimes have strong disagreements. In the Oregon legislature, Jefferson has worked numerous times with conservatives and Republicans to develop and pass good policy at the state level. Most famously, Jefferson worked closely with Republican Bob Jenson to pass the landmark Water Investment Act, creating sustainable jobs in Eastern Oregon and launching a statewide integrated water strategy. As mayor, Jefferson's experience will go a long way toward moving the city forward to solve the difficult problems we face.
When he was elected to represent East Portland in the legislature, Jefferson made a commitment to not only serve, but to complete his term. He believed then, as he does now, that being elected to serve is a public trust. Jefferson's commitment to lead the city of Portland will be the same.
Portland is a wonderful city and a great place to live. But we have serious problems that require the right kind of experience and leadership to solve. Jefferson Smith is the candidate for mayor that brings those skills to the job from day one. That's why he's earned my support.
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2:55 p.m.
Apr 17, '12
amen.
Jefferson has the proven track record to deliver on important ethical decisions. Portland needs Jefferson Smith!
3:13 p.m.
Apr 17, '12
Portland needs Jefferson Smith because he represents an unusual combination of practicality and idealism.
He still believes that public servants can make things better for the citizens of a state or a city, and he has the skills and determination to make it happen.
I'm really proud to support Jefferson Smith for Mayor of Portland.
3:53 p.m.
Apr 17, '12
I do not claim to know Portland or these candidates (I live in Eugene) like the Portlanders here, however I do have some opinions.
Besides seemingly being the most progressive candidate, Jefferson Smith seems to have a unique brand of creative/out of the box thinking, which he has proven time and time again.
He also has an incredible ability to inspire and motivate, to get the most out of the people around you, a mark of a great leader.
I just don't think that government needs more corporate/business influence. Eileen Brady is a terrific candidate (I envy your political choices) but obviously brings a business perspective/worldview with her.
5:13 p.m.
Apr 17, '12
I supported Jefferson because of his inspirational leadership.
However, I have been pleasantly surprised that he is turning out to be the financial conservative in the race. Both the CRC and the PSU sustainability center are ideas that, as currently designed, make little economic sense. Jefferson is showing more leadership in opposing these financial sinkholes. Goes against the downtown image.
12:14 p.m.
Apr 18, '12
Inspirational ...
I hear he has a way with the kids ...
7:17 p.m.
Apr 17, '12
Thank you, Chip. I don't think I could have said it any better. All the reasons you've mentioned are reasons why I support Jefferson for mayor.
I also love how Jefferson has already proven his ability to work with elected officials in eastern Multnomah County. This is important because so many issues cross the city limits - like Rockwood - and if we ever hope to solve them, we have to work together. I look forward to having someone who can work together with his counterparts in the surrounding cities and begin to fix some of these problems.
11:20 a.m.
Apr 18, '12
Harvard educated Jefferson Smith and his Bus Project are the darlings of the Portland Progressive community. But it appears that he was not smart enough to recognize national citizen journalist James O'Keefe as he and his hidden cameras boarded the Bus Project for two whole days this past year.
Now that Jefferson Smith is a front runner in the race to be Portland's next Mayor, it appears that he is poised to fall like an ACORN in the soon to be released Bus Project scandal involving major improprieties with minors directly involving Smith.
http://www.oregonteaparty.org/james-okeefe-oregon-tea-party-2012/
11:38 a.m.
Apr 18, '12
I know I'm not supposed to feed the trolls... but are we really using James O'Keefe and "journalist" in the same sentence? Please.
12:04 p.m.
Apr 18, '12
Hey Mike, take it or leave it, you heard it on BlueOregon first.
11:42 a.m.
Apr 18, '12
Did O'Keefe get permission from his PO to come to Oregon? I thought he had to wear an ankle-bracelet or something.
12:03 p.m.
Apr 18, '12
Don't worry, it's not like he's been successful. ACORN, NPR, Shirley Sherrod, voter ID laws in Vermont and New Hampshire ... 5 anomalies. Clearly those results are mere outliers when you compare them with failures like ... um ... err ...
3:07 p.m.
Apr 18, '12
ACORN was a fraudulent attack that cowardly Democrats responded to on pure fear. Ditto Sherrod, obviously. Don't know what the point is on Voter ID laws, except that he has been successful in committing felonies while trying to prove a nonexistent point. The issue is not how people will respond; Jeff has way more balls and conviction than the others I mentioned. The issue is whether O'Keefe is a major fraud. He is, provably.
3:11 p.m.
Apr 18, '12
Yeah ... that's the ticket.
12:05 p.m.
Apr 18, '12
Nothing to see here ...
12:20 p.m.
Apr 18, '12
Gotta feed the R's insatiable appetite for video fraud.
11:22 a.m.
Apr 18, '12
Here's the link: Bus Project scandal,
major improprieties with minors directly involving Jefferson SmithEDITOR'S NOTE: In the video posted by the Oregon Tea Party, James O'Keefe makes a number of assertions without evidence (promising to release it "later"). He does not make ANY CLAIM about Jefferson Smith. In fact, someone the crowd yells out that a Bus Project leader is running for Mayor, and O'Keefe responds, "What's his name?" We're striking out these comments from Geoff Ludt, and barring him from BlueOregon. He can spew his crap on his own website. -kari.
3:08 p.m.
Apr 18, '12
Uh, that's a link showing a Skype video, promising some other video that has not arrived. There's no there, there.
3:12 p.m.
Apr 18, '12
That's right ... no there, there ... no need to worry, everything is A.O.K. and, there's nothing to see here.
11:28 a.m.
Apr 18, '12
Being attacked by that fraud O'Keefe (as much a journalist as Borat) only will make most Portlanders like him more.
This ain't Ohio.
11:58 a.m.
Apr 18, '12
You may be right. After all, it would seem those left of center in this state have an insatiable appetite for those who exploit children: Neil Goldschmidt, David Wu, Sam Adams ...
4:21 p.m.
Apr 18, '12
You must be forgetting Bob Packwood. His Republican colleagues didn't want to force him out just because of his numerous sexual scandals. They only forced him out after he threatened to expose their misdeeds as well. Then they shut him up real fast. Scandal doesn't have a political party, but fraudulent videos have James O'Keefe's name written all over them.
4:36 p.m.
Apr 18, '12
Does your Packwood example, involving adult women, have anything to do with what I said?
6:07 p.m.
Apr 18, '12
Jeff, there were at least 30 women who came forward in the Packwood case and other allegations that may have involved underage women. But you're dodging the issue of whether somehow only Democrats get involved in these scandals. If that's your position, it is clearly absurd partisanship. Mitch McConnell was one of Packwood's closest friends and may have helped push him out due to skeletons in his own closet. So, if you're going to make ridiculous trollish comments, at least have the courtesy to only come out from under your bridge at night to eat your goats...or whatever you do with them.
11:24 a.m.
Apr 19, '12
Oh, how we forget our history.
Bob Packwood was surviving his scandal just fine. Until it was revealed that he had shown up at the home of an intern to personally deliver a reference letter - at which time he attempted to force himself on her.
Within a matter of days, he was forced out by the Republican leadership.
6:04 p.m.
Apr 18, '12
C'mon Jeff, I expect better of you. Throwing down the gauntlet of "Your bad boys are worse than ours" is neither useful dialogue nor relevant. If distraction and innuendo is your best play, you are wasting your time.
Frankly, the not-so-nuanced innuendos against Bus Project folks generally, and Jefferson Smith in particular, are flat out offensive. Not that I am overly inclined to give my GOP counterpart good advise, but you'd do yourself wisely to back off this garbage.
1:44 p.m.
Apr 18, '12
Without a doubt, being attacked by the Tea Party and by a criminal like O'Keefe will help Jefferson in this race.
1:49 p.m.
Apr 18, '12
I wouldn't characterize this as "an attack" ... it's only a prospective video at this point ... no need to worry.
5:03 p.m.
Apr 18, '12
It actually won't help Jefferson. Beacuse no one's going to give any thought to this kind of stupidity -- the Bus Project does some great work, and while I don't think it qualifies Jefferson to be Mayor, no one can take that success away from him.
2:16 p.m.
Apr 18, '12
Yep, a Tea Party smear campaign is a recommendation in my book.
2:51 p.m.
Apr 18, '12
Exactly ... nothing to worry about here ... folks love
seeing their prospective leadership in compromising positions with minors!EDITOR'S NOTE: In the video posted by the Oregon Tea Party, James O'Keefe makes a number of assertions without evidence (promising to release it "later"). He does not make ANY CLAIM about Jefferson Smith. In fact, someone the crowd yells out that a Bus Project leader is running for Mayor, and O'Keefe responds, "What's his name?" We're striking out these comments from Geoff Ludt, and barring him from BlueOregon. He can spew his crap on his own website. -kari.
2:37 p.m.
Apr 18, '12
Great summary of reasons to vote for Jeff!
2:53 p.m.
Apr 18, '12
Spencer, just to clarify - are you referring to the "compromising positions with minors" as reasons to vote for him? Just a point of clarification here.
4:05 p.m.
Apr 18, '12
Jeff, to clarify, I'm referring to Chip Shields' points that Jeff Smith:
Beyond that, my own point of view is that Jeff has a great deal of common sense and pragmatism, and a commitment to democracy as a way of running government, as opposed to the whole "run government like a business" thing.
2:55 p.m.
Apr 18, '12
I'm voting for Charlie Hales. I like Smith but the problems Portland has leave no roon for on the job training.
3:03 p.m.
Apr 18, '12
Willard, what do you make of the election complaint filed against Charlie Hales?
http://www.wweek.com/portland/blog-28517-hales_faces_elections_complaint_updated.html
6:12 p.m.
Apr 18, '12
In my humble opinion, not that you asked, I'd say it's pretty solid.
9:34 p.m.
Apr 18, '12
Ask the Multnomah County Elections Director, and he'll say it's baseless: "Mr. Hales has met the burden of residency for the purposes of voter registration.... I have concluded that, based upon the statutes cited above, Mr. Hales was eligible to be registered to vote and to vote in Oregon during the time he lived in Washington State."
11:29 p.m.
Apr 18, '12
Take a look at my complaint, his reply, and my reply to his reply. Pull up the statutes in question and look for yourself. I've posted everything online for all to see.
3:09 p.m.
Apr 18, '12
Well I'm still undecided but honestly leaning towards Jefferson because of his more principled policy positions.
But that brief video of O'Keefe feeding a room full of scandal-hungry haters with rumor and innuendo lacks any credibility - zero zilch nada.
3:14 p.m.
Apr 18, '12
Yeah, zero. ;o)
3:15 p.m.
Apr 18, '12
Now I know this is the wrong crowd for this but, it's too FUNNY not to pass on: [removed]
EDITOR'S NOTE: In the video posted by the Oregon Tea Party, James O'Keefe makes a number of assertions without evidence (promising to release it "later"). He does not make ANY CLAIM about Jefferson Smith. In fact, someone the crowd yells out that a Bus Project leader is running for Mayor, and O'Keefe responds, "What's his name?" We're striking out these comments from Geoff Ludt, and barring him from BlueOregon. He can spew his crap on his own website. -kari.
3:50 p.m.
Apr 19, '12
The Republican members of Congress do not like the Tea Party. The actual, registered Republican voters who really cast ballots do not like the Tea Party. Oregon Republicans do not like the Tea Party. The Republican Governor’s' Association and their mayoral colleagues do not like the Tea Party. Our allies do not like the Tea Party. Even our enemies do not like the Tea Party!!! The only people who DO like them belong to a very small band of feverish zealots who have no grasp on reality and are incapable of comprehending the fact, the FACT...that their personal demigod never had any chance whatsoever. NOBODY who matters ever wanted this party. Scream about how wrong you think this is and howl in rage about your lunatic and laughable conspiracy theories. Go ahead. Deny it to yourselves and to every rational person in every conceivable forum every minute of every day until the election, and nothing will change. They were was never in this race. Never. The rest of this great nation knew that from the start and we collectively thank our Lord for this.
7:35 p.m.
Apr 18, '12
O'Keefe won't release any video until after he finishes editing/cgi/staging the final cut.
9:31 p.m.
Apr 18, '12
Many thanks to Kari for overseeing this blog and keeping it a decent place for community conversation instead of empty fact-free personal and political attacks.
9:10 a.m.
Apr 19, '12
The smears presented here by Lundt and Reynolds are the most vile that I have seen in Oregon in a 1/4 century. They are shameless.
11:22 a.m.
Apr 20, '12
What Portland needs is a mayor that is in harmony with its positive rating, in latest PPP poll Portland ranks number 2 behind only Seattle. http://t.co/O0Au8PJC