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