Black Caucus Announces Endorsements for Upcoming Election
The May 17th election is fast approaching! After careful review and consideration, members of the Clackamas County Democrats Black Caucus have endorsed the following candidates:
Catherine McMullen for Clackamas County Clerk
Jamie McLeod-Skinner for Congressional District 5
Libra Forde for Clackamas County Board of Commissioners, position 2
Chelsea King, Oregon State Senate District 13
Aaron Woods, Oregon State Senate District 13
Mary Elizabeth Harper, Black Caucus chair, explains that endorsements go to candidates who demonstrate that they stand in solidarity with the Caucus’ mission and commitments to work to support legislation and policies that will help eliminate and prevent structural racism.
“This year, for the first time, we endorsed two candidates for the same position,” she notes, adding that information from several candidates who might have been endorsed was not received by deadline.
Catherine McMullen expressed her appreciation of the Caucus’s endorsement: "I am honored and humbled by the support of the Black Caucus. I look forward to ensuring that every eligible voter in Clackamas County has easy access to the ballot. Local decisions are better when more people across our diverse county can participate.” The contest for county clerk will be on the November ballot.
Among the Caucus goals are increasing Black/African American Democrats’ participation in community leadership and pursuit of political offices and to serve as a forum for dialogue in order to increase the government’s responsiveness to the views and needs of Black/African American people.
Harper encourages county residents to join the Caucus. “We need additional participation from county Democrats to help ensure our success,” she says. “Our goals are ambitious but so important.”
If you’re interested in getting involved with the Black Caucus, reach out to Harper directly via mharper01@gmail.com, by completing a request for information here or by contacting volunteer coordinators Amber Tatge and Heidi Prokop.
To see the full list of candidates endorsed by Clackamas County Democrats, find the slate card for your district here. If you have not received your ballot by mail, please call Clackamas County Elections at 503-655-8510. Remember to vote the entire ballot!