Burdick makes Sten challenge official

By Jim Redden

The Portland Tribune, Nov 8, 2005

Democratic state Sen. Ginny Burdick has decided to run against city Commissioner Erik Sten and will kick off her campaign with a party in Northwest Portland on Nov. 14.

Burdick, who represents parts of Southwest Portland, is one of the most liberal Democrats in the Oregon Legislature, repeatedly sponsoring tough gun-control laws and frequently voting against new tax breaks for businesses. Despite that, Burdick says she already has been chastised by other Portland liberals for even considering a run against Sten.

“Some people who have supported me in the past are appalled, but I don’t think any elected official is entitled to their seat,” she said.

Burdick tells the Portland Tribune that she already is receiving campaign contributions. She will not apply for any funds under the city’s new public campaign financing law that was sponsored by Sten. Burdick expects the $1 million the council set aside for the program to become an issue in the campaign, along with her employment at the Gard & Gerber public relations firm, which is working on the initiative drive to place the program on the May primary election ballot.

Colleagues line up to support Linn’s opponent

The temperature must be a little chilly around the Multnomah County Commission offices these days Ñ two of the five commissioners have endorsed Ted Wheeler, the local businessman running against Chairwoman Diane Linn. Wheeler’s Web site lists commissioners Lisa Naito and Maria Rojo de Steffey among the hundreds of people who are supporting him.

Other well-known names supporting Wheeler include: former legislator and community activist Jo Ann Bowman; Metro Councilor Rex Burkholder; lawyer and former City Council candidate Nick Fish; and environmentalist Mike Houck.

Ñ Tribune staff

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