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About Portland observer. (Portland, Or.) 1970-current | View Entire Issue (May 23, 2018)
May 23, 2018 Page 7 Strong Finish for Hardesty C ontinueD from p age 3 many, but now lags 25 percentage points behind Hardesty. Still, she’s maintaining an optimistic view heading into the general election. “I was really surprised that it was such a low voter turnout. But I think the primary voters, they’ve spoken, and I am excit- ed about going to November. I’m excited about being able to rein- troduce myself to the people,” Smith said. Turnout in Multnomah County was only about 31 percent, which was lower than statewide results and a smaller percentage than the 2014 Primary Election in which turnout was almost 33 percent. The number of ballots counted, however, was greater -- both in Multnomah County and the state -- because there is a bigger pop- ulation now than in 2014 and a larger number of registered vot- ers, due in part to the motor voter registration system that went into effect in 2016. Smith hopes to rally the youth between now and November, many of whom are being automat- ically registered to vote thanks to that bill. “I think it’s the perfect time to get young people, people who ha- ven’t ordinarily participated in the democratic process to get them involved and get them engaged. I have a huge track record working with our youth and our seniors. And I think they’re going to be a really important part of the cam- paign.” she said. Both Smith and Hardesty cam- paigned on helping solve home- lessness and affordable housing issues in Portland, though they’ve disagreed on some aspects of how to go about that. While Smith sup- ports turning the never-opened north Portland Wapato jail into a shelter, Hardesty disagreed. One of Hardesty’s proposals was to hire homeless people to help clean up the city. The former U.S. Navy woman and three-term state representative also runs on a platform of police reform. She could not be reached for comment in time for publication of this ar- ticle. In other local races, Mult- nomah County Chair Deborah Kafoury secured her bid for re-election by capturing 71 per- cent of the vote, far above the more than 50 percent needed to avoid a runoff. New comer Su- sheela Jayapal, a former general counsel at Aidas America and longtime community volunteer, also won outright by capturing nearly 62 percent of the vote in the election for Multnomah County Commissioner for the seat being vacated by Smith. Jayapal, who was born in India, was running against three oth- ers—construction business owner Sharon Maxwell, former restau- rateur and veteran Bruce Brous- sard, and coffee shop owner Maria Garcia--all candidates of color. The victories by Kafoury and Jay- apal’s are unofficial until 20 days after election day. In southeast Portland, for- mer state Rep. Shemia Fagan (D-Clackamas) captured 62 per- cent of the vote in a successful campaign to unseat incumbent state Senator Rod Monroe in the Democratic Party. The race has had a sharp focus on housing is- sues. Monroe netted just above 20 percent of the vote while the third candidate, Somali-born immigrant rights activist Kayse Jama, came in third. Monroe who has been in public office since 1976, drew scrutiny from fellow Democrats for being a landlord that opposed tenant pro- tections, such as overturning the statewide ban on rent control and outlawing “no-cause” evictions. He owns a 51-unit apartment com- plex in east Portland and has been sued by one of his tenants. Both Fagan, a civil rights attor- ney, and Jama ran on a platform of giving cities the ability to impose rent control. In statewide voting, guberna- torial candidate Knute Buehler of Bend won the Republican Party nomination and will face off against incumbent Gov. Kate Brown, a Democrat, in November. 5010 NE 9th Ave Portland, Or 97211 Phone: 503 284-2989 Stylist Wanted We specialize in a variety of cuts for men and women, hot towel razor shaves, braiding, hair extension, Shampoo, blow dryer and Platinum fade. Call Today or Walk in !!! For your light bulbs & parts to repair or make fixtures Web: www.sunlanlighting.com E-mail: kay@lightlady.com 3901 N. Mississippi Ave. Portland, OR 97227 503.281.0453 Fax 503.281.3408