AFL-CIO

Steve Novick is taking some heat today from organizations including the SEIU, AFL-CIO, and Oregon Nurses Association over wording in on one of his recent pieces of direct mail, which raises the question of just what constitutes negative campaigning in this heavily contested U.S. Senate primary.

The piece points out a number of differences between Novick and Democratic primary rival, state House Speaker Jeff Merkley, including early opposition to the war in Iraq, Social Security taxes and, for these unions, the kicker: Health care.

The line that is causing all the fuss says that Merkley "failed to deliver on Healthy Kids legislation that would have increased taxes on cigarettes. The result, 125,000 Oregon kids today are without health care."

The Oregon AFL-CIO is joining the Democratic Party of Oregon and the Democratic National Committee in responding to Sen. John McCain's visit to Oregon today.

While the Democrats have focused on tearing down McCain's environmental "maverick" claims in anticipation of his speech on global warming in Portland today, the AFL-CIO only wants to meet with the presidential contender... in the next room over from his $33,100-per-couple fundraiser tonight.

Everyone makes typos — hence that handy spell check feature — but what happens when spell check fails you?

Ask the AFL-CIO. It sent out a piece of direct mail on behalf of Jeff Merkley that could have used a little copy-editing.

Merkley is “strenthening” our economy and has helped to write economic development “propsals.”

But his credentials don’t stop there; the lit piece discusses the Speaker’s focus on payday loans and mortgage lenders. He “wants to take that fight nationally to… banks who trapping families…”

In the race for the 5th CD, Kurt Schrader recently received lucrative endorsements from Oregon AFL-CIO, AFSCME and the Oregon Education Association,  unions with public employees who conveniently allow Schrader's Senate mid-term position as co-chair of the powerful Ways and Means committee in the Oregon legislature to overcome his ardent support for PERS reform back in 2003.

Could such support mean the beginning of the end for Schrader's Democratic primary opponent Steve Marks? Schrader has one of the lowest rated union voting records among his fellow Democrats (even voting against labors precious Majority Sign-Up bill), but seems to keep locking up labor support regardless. Without union support it is unlikely Marks will be able to on what may be as much as $1 million of Schrader's own personal wealth he plans to use to lock up the nomination.

Attorney General candidate John Kroger tied up the third in a series of large union endorsements today when he garnered the support of the AFL-CIO.The AFL-CIO joined the Oregon Education and SEIU Locals 503 and 49 in backing Kroger in his race against Rep. Greg Macpherson.  read more »

Lewis & Clark law professor John Kroger announced yesterday he won the purple nod from the public employee union SEIU. Although, as the Willamette Week points out, this comes as no surprise to those familiar with opponent State Rep. Greg Macpherson's work reforming public employee pensions back in 2003 when they were crippling Oregon's already ailing economy.

In the race to replace retiring Rep. Darlene Hooley, the following are a few key endorsements to watch for in the Democratic primary as the candidates line up their support. The top GOP endorsements are to follow.