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Oregon
Working Families
Party
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Oregon Working Families Party Update FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – Nov. 10, 2008 OWFP Candidate Albies Gets Nearly 160,000 Votes for Attorney General PORTLAND –J. Ashlee Albies, the Working Families Party candidate for Attorney General has received more than 11 times the votes needed by the WFP to maintain its minor party status. This remarkable number, combined with the high voter turnout of Oregon voters, brings a new era for minor parties in Oregon. With votes still being counted, nearly 159,625 Oregonians voted for Albies based solely on the WFP platform set out in the Voters Pamphlet, demonstrating the strong desire of Oregonians for an alternative to the two party system. In its electoral debut on the Oregon ballot the Oregon Working Families Party made a strong showing across the state, but especially in rural counties, racking up 16-17% of the vote from Klamath to Umatilla, Coos to Harney. The Working Families Party is clear about its priorities. It is focused on the economic issues that are so important to working families in Oregon but too often ignored by both of the major parties. Voters in counties across the state found something to like in our party's message of economic security for middle class families -- and cast a vote for a new party willing to stand up for our shared values. It's an encouraging step. Albies strongest support came from traditionally Republican counties. Click here to see a county by country breakdown of how Albies did in the AG race. "This 11% proves that the WFP platform really resonates with Oregon voters. I ran in this race to introduce voters to the WFP, to let Oregonians know there was an alternative to the two party system, and to give them a voice," said Albies. The campaign, aiming for a mere 1% of the vote, did very little campaigning. Thus, many voters in much of the state voted for Albies based solely on what they read in the Voters Pamphlet. Albies' campaign statement set out the platform of the WFP:
"We are delighted at the turnout for our candidate," said WFP Co-Chair Barbara Dudley. "We have high hopes for the new political era ushered in with yesterday's election, but we recognize that there need to be more voices to insure that we develop a new political agenda that insures prosperity and opportunity for all Oregonians. The Working Families Party thanks all Albies' supporters, including the Portland National Lawyers Guild, members of The Oregon Trial Lawyers Association, and all voters who believe that their votes matter. ###
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