Northwest labor press. (Portland , Ore.) 1987-current, November 17, 2006, Image 1

Northwest labor press., November 17, 2006, Image 1

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Newspaper Page TextInside MEETING NO TICES See Page 6 V olume 107 Number 22 No v ember 17, 2006 P ortland, Oregon Labor Celebrates Election Night Victories Ken Allen (photo right), executive director of Oregon AFSCME Council 75, was among the throng of people celebrating at the Benson Hotel on Election Day. Labor enjoyed one of its most successful elections in more than a decade — in Oregon, Washington, and nationally — on Nov. 7. Labor-endorsed candidates captured a majority in the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives for the first time since 1994. In Oregon, union members helped re-elect Democratic Governor Ted Kulon- goski (pictured above during his victory speech) and also helped elect a worker- friendly Democratic House and Senate for the first time since 1991. Kulongoski captured nearly 51 percent of the vote next to Republican challenger Ron Sax- ton’s dismal 43 percent. Saxton outspent Kulongoski 2-to-1 —disposing of a whopping $8 million, mostly on negative advertising. Labor also played a major role in resoundingly defeating several ballot meas- ures that would have hamstrung state government, and winning a measure that will expand access to lower-cost prescription drugs to more Oregonians. In Oregon Senate races, 92 percent of candidates endorsed by the AFL-CIO were elected. The AFL’s only loss was Democrat Paul Evans’ bid to unseat in- cumbent Republican Jackie Winters in Senate District 10. Winters, however, had several the endorsement of several AFL-affiliated unions. The count in the Sen- ate will be 17 Democrats, 11 Republicans and two Independents — Ben West- lund (a former Republican who endorsed Kulongoski) and Avel Gordly (a former Democrat). In Oregon House races, 82.5 percent of AFL-CIO-endorsed candidates won, including six union members — Diane Rosenbaum of Communications Workers of America Local 7901; Brad Witt, former secretary-treasurer of the Oregon AFL- CIO and a business rep for United Food and Commercial Workers Local 555; Jeff (Turn to Page 3) Oregon Senate Majority Leader Kate Brown (right) and State Senators Margaret Carter and Rick Metsger (behind Brown), rejoice in election-night victories for Democrats. Also celebrating is Secretary of State Bill Bradbury (left).