Endorsements

Local 1159 is currently not endorsing any candidates for office.

Local 1159 supports the autonomy of each member’s vote. Above all, we encourage every member to participate in the voting process, regardless of their position. Voting remains the most effective way to express your position.

Local 1159 issues endorsements of measures and candidates based on several factors, including campaign priorities, voting record, experience, and most importantly, alignment with our Union’s core priorities: wages, hours, working conditions, firefighter safety, and retirement security. Local 1159 has interviewed all the candidates endorsed and continues to communicate with these candidates throughout their time in their respective positions.

We recognize that individual members’ views may not always align with Union endorsements. Local 1159 representatives interview all candidates, and we strongly encourage all members to exercise their right to vote.

Local Endorsements

Measure 3-634 – Sandy Annexation into Clackamas Fire – In Support

Measure 3-634 provides safer working conditions for our firefighters and residents by providing two more firefighters after 7:30 p.m. under the current deployment model. Sandy Fire provides a 3-person engine company, E371, 24 hours a day and a 2-person light rescue, R371, 12 hours per day. This measure will increase staffing on the light rescue to 24 hours per day and provide dual apparatus coverage 24/7/365. This also provides increased staffing levels to adjoining response zones in and around Sandy.
In line with our priorities, this increases firefighter safety and better working conditions for our firefighters under the 24-hour schedule. This also provides a slight increase in time off going from 12-hour to 24-hour shift work.

Measure 3-635 – Lake Oswego – South Shore Fire Station Construction – In Support

The building of a new South Shore Fire Station at Lake Oswego Fire Department directly supports our members’ health and safety. The current fire station does not meet current seismic standards. In addition, the new fire station would provide decontamination areas to reduce cancer exposure and proper storage areas for turnout gear. Other plans would include proper storage areas for apparatus and rescue boats to be able to meet current response models of 8 minutes.

Measure 3-633 – Clackamas County Public Safety Levy – In Support

Local 1159 is in support of Measure 3-633 based on the number of deputies, 34, that this initiative will add to the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office. The increase in deputies directly contributes to safer working conditions for our membership throughout CCSO response areas.

County Commissioner Endorsements

Clackamas County Commissioner – Position 2

Paul Savas

Paul has been an advocate for our firefighters throughout the county and a strong supporter of keeping other partners accountable to their service levels. Paul has been a long supporter of our Local 1159 firefighters and an endorser of ballot measures. Paul endorsed Measure 3-634 in this May primary election.

Clackamas County Commissioner – Position 4

With six candidates running for Position 4, we have not had the time to meet with all candidates for an interview. We did meet with Diana Helm, who endorsed Measure 3-634, but are waiting until after the primary to interview all candidates for the November election as needed.

Clackamas County Commissioner – Position 5

Ben West

Ben has been an advocate for public safety with both fire service and law enforcement. As a Clackamas County Commissioner, Ben has periodically checked in with us over the last few years and been an ear to us on request. Ben advocated for the Clackamas Fire Levy in 2022 at community groups and other public forums and gatherings. Ben has also advocated for ARPA funds to contribute to our Local 1159 represented organizations. Ben has endorsed Measure 3-634 in this May primary election.

State Representatives within Local 1159 Represented Areas

The following endorsements reflect candidates that we have interviewed and support our membership through wages, hours, working conditions, retirement security, and safety.

State Representative

District 38 – Lake Oswego – Daniel Nguyen (D)

Rep. Nguyen has been a supporter of Lake Oswego firefighters for many years. As a previous Lake Oswego city councilor, he understands the dynamics of city and state government and has advocated for our members on both levels. We meet with Rep. Nguyen periodically to discuss matters of interest to our membership at LOFD.

District 39 – Happy Valley – April Dobson (D)

Rep. Dobson is a moderate Democrat with a strong voting record in support of public safety. Local 1159 representatives meet with Rep. Dobson often to discuss state-level politics that matter to our members. April supported a reduction to our PERS age limit for retirement in moving the age cap from 60 to 55 for OPSRP members who have less than 25 years on the job. April also endorsed the Clackamas Fire levy in 2022 to support an increase in staffing.
If you are registered as a Republican, we encourage a write-in for April Dobson. This will hold the seat for April as a candidate in the Democratic, Independent, and Republican positions within the primary.

District 40 – Oregon City, Gladstone – Open Seat

Due to the large number of candidates, we will be reserving an endorsement until after the primary, when we have time to meet with candidates for the November election.

District 48 – Carver, Portions of Boring – Lamar Wise (D)

Rep. Wise was appointed to an open position last year and has a background working with and for labor organizations within education. Rep. Wise showed support for legislation that we would like to see in the upcoming session in 2027. In addition, Rep. Wise also supported the Sandy annexation Measure 3-634 in support of increasing firefighter staffing in and around the Sandy community.

District 51 – Canby, Estacada, Sandy – Matt Bunch (R)

As an appointed representative this last year, Local 1159 met with Rep. Bunch to discuss our firefighter priorities. Matt has a long history of supporting public service and endorsed the Sandy Annexation Measure 3-634. Matt is new to this position, but we will continue to have conversations as they relate to our priorities.