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Em ily S im on
local news
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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-
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