Forward Oregon

Forward Oregon’s favorite former Governor Barbra Roberts endorsed two of Forward Oregon’s favorite candidates, Cyreena Boston and Kate Brown.

Cyreena Boston is running for House District 45 and my reasons for endorsing her can be seen in this post from earlier this week.  In her endorsement Barbra Roberts echoed that sentiment:

“Cyreena Boston is my choice for State Representative,” said Governor Roberts. “Cyreena really understands her community. Her hands-on approach to getting things done is exactly what we need in the Oregon Legislature.”

Governor Roberts endorsement is a really nice headliner in a long line of prominent figures that have endorsed Cyreena including State Senators Avel Gordly and Margaret Carter, State Superintendent of Schools Susan Castillo, State Representatives Chip Shields and Tina Kotek, Portland Mayor Tom Potter, and City Commissioners Erik Sten and Randy Leonard.  Many people dismiss the value of endorsements, but in contested primaries like the one Cyreena Boston faces, with many candidates who have relatively low name identification, seeing a trusted name like Barbra Roberts definately creates a willingness to vote for a candidate.

Speaking of hotly contested primaries, the Secretary of State Democratic primary is just plain messy with four well know and qualified candidates.  Forward Oregon has endorsed Kate Brown for Secretary of State and in this video Barbra Roberts does the same.

Two excellent candidates endorsed by my favorite former Governor, sweet!

There are some people you just want to follow.  That is how I explain to people why I support Cyreena Boston, who is running for State Representative in House District 45.

I believe our task this election cycle is twofold.  First, we need to desperately increase our razor thin majority in the House of Representatives so that we can successfully build on the many progressive victories of the 2007 session.  Second, we need to elect people in safe Democratic seats that with passion, intelligence, and perseverance can lead our party and move progressive causes forward.  I cannot think of anyone better to fulfill our second calling.  Cyreena displays a fiery dedication to making sure that the least among us are receive fair treatment.  When we need an outspoken advocate for a tough bill, Cyreena will be there, and when we need pressure to be applied before a bill hits the floor to make it more in line with progressive values, Cyreena will be there.

I know Cyreena will do these things and become a great progressive advocate because I know Cyreena Boston.  I first met Cyreena when she was the Constituency Director at the DPO and worked with her several times during party functions.  Cyreena is also heavily involved with the Bus Project, an organization near and dear to my heart, where she taught some of the classes during the PolitiCorps program that I participated in.  During my time knowing her, I have found Cyreena to be one of the most brutally honest people I know.  Telling you what you need to hear regardless of how convienent it is.  In organizations that are defined by peoples passion and commitment, her’s stands out.

When you get a chance you should ask Cyreena to tell you her story becuase it helps you see why she is so special. Cyreena’s parents were heavily involved in the community and Cyreena followed in their footsteps knocking on doors for the Portland Organizing Project, a coalition that worked to protect Northeast neighborhoods from gang crime, when she was just ten.  From that point she never turned back, working in a number of community organizations.

Cyreena went to Spelman College in Atlanta and when she came home, she worked as a case manager for the Multnomah County Sun Schools.  Then Cyreena started working for the Democratic Party of Oregon.  I wish I could tell the story of how she got her job with the DPO but it really wouldn’t do it justice.  Ask her about it sometime. But in 2006 and 2007 working under the auspices of DNC Chairman Gov. Howard Dean’s 50 State Strategy, Cyreena was only Constituency Director in the nation, her main role was to work with diverse groups of constituents statewide.

Forward Oregon has endorsed Cyreena Boston  because I can’t think of anyone who would be better suited to be an Oregon State Representative than Cyreena Boston.  I encourage you to donate to her campaign and to go canvassing for her as I have.  She need all the help we can get because she will be a great legislator.