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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (June 7, 1996)
»«til V V >> j u s t o u t T ju n e 7 . 1 9 0 0 ▼ 15 Em ily S im on local news 620 SW Fifth Ave., Ste. 1204 Portland, Oregon 97204 ( 503 ) 241-1553 (503) 241-2587 FAX After the ballot Gail Shibley is the only opposed queer candidate to survive the primary T by Inga Sorensen known friend of the sexual minorities commu t’s a brand new election,” chirped an ear nity, surprised some by backing Francesconi in nest Gail Shibley just two days after the the race, and despite being the only candidate to May 2 1 primary, a moment when the openly have held elective office, Shibley failed to receive lesbian Portland City Council candidate primary endorsements from The Oregonian or was still the top vote-getter in the eight- Willamette Week. person race. “I think the effectiveness [of a cam “And yet Gail came through. She got a lot of paign] is reflected in the number of votes one votes, and we are delighted,” says Pack. gets. There were eight candidates in this race, Shibley says she plans to take a little vacation three of them serious, and we came in first. That and will begin making decisions about the next says something.” leg of her campaign “within the next couple of Before the absentee ballots were counted, weeks.” Shibley led her closest rival, Portland lawyer Jim “I’m sure there are a Francesconi, by roughly whole host of decisions 400 votes. After the tally, we’ll be making,” she however, Francesconi told Just Out during a had garnered 27,640 May 23 conversation. votes, or 31.25 percent, “The absentee ballots while Shibley grabbed haven’t been counted 27,186 votes, or 30.74 yet. We don’t even have percent. Erik Sten took the voter abstracts. A a distant third place, with huge piece of our deci 20,391 votes, or 23.05 sion-making process is percent. dependent upon first Locked in a virtual finding out what we did dead heat, Francesconi right and what we could and Shibley face a run do better.” off during the Nov. 5 general election. The hibley wasn’t the winner of that contest only out gay per will fill the council seat son running in the of Mike Lindberg, who May 21 primary. A is leaving the post after handful of other sexual 17 years of service. minority candidates ran “We are absolutely unopposed, including thrilled about Gail,” says Gail Shibley O regon state Reps. Barry Pack, executive George Eighmey (D-Portland) and Cynthia director of Right to Privacy, a statewide gay, Wooten (D-Eugene); political newcomer Elli lesbian and bisexual rights organization. “This is Work, a Bend Democrat running for state repre a great opportunity for our community.” sentative; and state Rep. Kate Brown (D-Port- Some political observers agree that Shibley’s land), who is running for a state Senate seat. campaign—up to the May primary, that is— Brown is the only candidate who is unopposed in appeared relatively lackluster, especially when the general election. compared to the spirited efforts of both Sten and Portlander Frank Dixon, a consumer rights Francesconi. attorney and neighborhood activist, was unsuc “I guess that [perception] depends on where cessful in his bid for a state Senate seat. Dixon, a you’re standing,” says Shibley, a three-term state Democrat, faced a difficult battle with primary representad ve and city employee who has handled opponents Kent Snyder, Ginny Burdick and former neighborhood projects, particularly involving traf state Rep. Tom Mason. Burdick soundly defeated fic safety. her opponents. “Looking at my race up close and personal, I Bob Duehmig, a Democratic candidate for can tell you that 1 ’ ve got lots of energy and did run House District 12, also faced a tough race. The 31 - a very energized campaign. We just did things in year-old legislative specialist for the Oregon Fed a very targeted way,” she says. eration of Teachers, Education and Health Pro “I think everyone recognizes that it was not fessionals took on a slate of candidates with solid the best or most energetic campaign,” says Pack. liberal credentials and political bases: Chris Beck, “Maybe [Shibley] was caught a little by surprise attorney David Bragdon, and longtime women’s by the fact that it was such a hotly contested race. rights activist Laurie Wimmer. Duehmig lost by a I hope she takes a vacation, gets some rest, and huge margin in what became an extremely close comes back to run a really vigorous campaign three-way contest in which Beck ultimately over the next several months.” emerged the winner. Shibley’s campaign was also marred by some Chuck Carpenter, a Republican incumbent controversy stemming from her acceptance of seeking re-election to House District 7, won his $9,000 in campaign contributions from the owner race over challenger Chip Wallace, who was and two employees of Fantasy for Adults Only backed by the Oregon Citizens Alliance. video stores. “[Dixon] ran a stellar campaign, and we were Oregonian associate editor David Reinhard very disappointed with the returns,” says Pack. publicly took Shibley to task for her decision to “Frank was enthusiastic, he had a long and varied take money from what he called a “pornography endorsement list. He did a great job, but I guess empire,” and chastised her for her “frightening [Burdick] had higher name recognition. I hope he amorality.” Shibley remains steadfast in her be lief that people have the right to participate in the will run again in the future.” As for Duehmig, Pack says: “That was another political process and contribute to the candidates disappointment. Bob worked hard, but he’s a of their choice. newcomer and the other three candidates were all Human rights activist Kathleen Saadat and well known. It definitely wasn’t an easy race.” former Portland Police Chief Tom Potter, a well- I Do you live or work in Washington County? We’re here for you!! 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