SEIU

"Our people came together and took out the man who stole all of our pensions, and your pensions too!" she said referring to Democratic state Rep. Greg Macpherson who overhauled the state's PERS system in 2003.

There was no bigger winner in Tuesday’s primary election that the SEIU, which spent over $300,000 to help John Kroger defeat Greg Macpherson for the Democratic nomination for Attorney General.  That was one heck of a payback to Macpherson, who angered the powerful union when he led the effort to reform PERS.  Not only does SEIU get the trophy – and the eternal debt of the new A.G. – but they’ve now set the standard for the way labor unions can affect statewide elections in Oregon.  You can be sure that all the potential ’10 gubernatorial candidates have noticed.

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."

Unless Attorney General candidate John Kroger has his own personal stash from his five years as a federal prosecutor, it looks like organized labor unions are likely gearing up to throw another wad of cash to his campaign.

John Kroger’s attorney general campaign has been touting the support they have received from both labor interests and law enforcement officials, and they chalked another group (and a big check) onto the list yesterday.

The Oregon Council of Police Associations (OPCA)— which represent 26 public safety associations—endorsed Kroger, citing his criminal justice experience.

Sen. Kate Brown added the Service Employees International Union Locals 503 and 49 to her list of supporters in her bid for Secretary of State.  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.