Why don't we insist on both: progressive values and real results?

By Beth Cohen of Portland, Oregon. Beth says of herself : "I am a Portlander who loves to learn about and discuss local politics. I also love elections, there will be a huge election party at my house come November."

I have listened to friends who are still up in the air about the City Commissioner race here in Portland -- the one between Amanda Fritz and Mary Nolan. Some of them suggest that because Fritz is a woman or because she's willing to vote against proposals she thinks are unwise, or because she's willing to spend $140,000 of her own money to win, that's enough to warrant a second term. For some of my friends, they're a bit uncomfortable that Nolan has challenged her.

This hesitancy or even queasiness was captured in the profile and later the endorsement by Willamette Week, who dubbed Nolan 'the Anti-Fritz'. While the phrase highlights significant differences between the candidates and the real choice we have this May, I think it says as much about the mindset of voters as it does about either Fritz or Nolan. Too often, we talk big about progressive values but shrink from the reality that it takes hard work and a certain amount of toughness to translate them into action.

I see it differently. I think we Portland progressives should first insist that candidates hold strongly progressive values. But that's not enough. If we really want to make a difference, we should also support and elect candidates who demonstrate the chops to deliver important results. And to get right to the point, can we start to admire a woman like Nolan who is bold, skilled and effective playing hardball on our behalf against the big boys?

The video of the Willamette Week editorial board interview reveals substantive disagreements between Fritz and Nolan about policy and vision for Portland, as well as contrasting presentation styles. Nolan consistently answers questions with strategic depth. She has the acumen to know how to invest in our city, provide services, and build the coalitions needed to make our city flourish again -- for everyone.

Rep. Nolan has served six terms in the Oregon Legislature, including as Democratic Majority Leader and co-chair of the powerful Joint Ways and Means Committee, which writes the state budget. She stared down lobbyists and colleagues who wanted to weaken progressive programs. She stood up for the things we want -- and she delivered remarkable results. It really isn't hyperbole to say Nolan showed the guts and smarts to create or save programs that have improved in some way the life of virtually every Oregonian. That budget experience will be incredibly helpful in City Hall. In their endorsement of her, The Portland Tribune said, 'We believe [Nolan] is among the most qualified candidates to run for city commissioner in recent years.'

She also has a sharp mind for policy. Nolan recently helped pass Oregon's Healthy Kids Program, bringing health insurance to 80,000 previously uninsured children. After big tobacco killed the first version of this program, Nolan pulled together hospitals, insurance companies, children's advocates and enough legislative votes to pass a version that stuck. While many contributed to its success, Nolan's skilled coalition building helped give the Healthy Kids Program the traction it needed. She isn't done there; she's eager to help bring health care to uninsured adults in Portland.

Nolan is the candidate who can help Portland live up to the motto: A City that Works. In a recent Think Out Loud program, Nolan reported she's heard time and again that Portland's permitting process is painfully slow, sometimes project-killing. I believe her; my friends who do construction and home renovation tell me the exact same thing. In order for locally-owned progressive businesses to prosper, the City needs to keep pace so companies can move forward.

Nolan sees Portland waking up from the recession and wants to help us get back on the path to prosperity and environmental leadership. She wants Portland to lead the state in economic growth, progressive ideas, environmental innovation, and educational accomplishment. She won't be steamrolled. We can count on her to make good things happen.

Her years of providing results has meant a long and diverse list of endorsements, including support from Democratic Governor Barbara Roberts and Republican Gov. Vic Atiyeh, Mayor Vera Katz, leaders in the Native American community, the Asian American Community, the Black community and the Latino Community, the Sierra Club, Planned Parenthood PAC, Oregon Council for Retired Citizens, Bike! Walk! Vote!, AFSCME, and literally hundreds more.

We aren't electing the Homecoming Queen. It's okay for us progressives to insist on both progressive values and real results. Nolan will simply be the sharper, more strategic, and more effective progressive leader for us at City Hall. Let's send her there.