2026 Endorsed Candidates

From Jeff's campaign page:

Born in the small town of Myrtle Creek, Oregon, Jeff Merkley has never lost touch with his working class roots.

As a U.S. Senator, he works every day to create opportunity for working families, stop the corruption of our democracy, and tackle the climate crisis.

A workhorse and a progressive champion, Jeff Merkley is leading a movement to get our country back on track.

Jeff Merkley has always been a progressive leader and a champion for people who need a chance. He’s a fighter who has the guts to do what’s right – no matter how powerful the forces against us. 

I grew up in Portland and attended public schools; college was on the East Coast, and I later received a graduate degree from the Harvard's Kennedy School of Government.  I have family roots east of the mountains, and many of my most formative experiences were had in the sagebrush and ponderosa forests, hunting, fishing and exploring all the nooks and crannies of the high desert.  After college I landed back home and began a career that focused on public interest work and public service.  This included:

• Rural policy advisor at the USDA for the Obama Administration for six years; Elected to the Oregon House of Representatives (three terms); Oregon Senate as staff to Senate President John Kitzhaber; Committee staff for the Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee; Transportation policy advisor for City of Portland; Land conservation negotiator at the Trust for Public Land, a national non-profit organization devoted to conserving land for public benefit. 

• Other stints:  statewide elections reform initiative; helping plan the rebuild New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina; and consulting with the Hatfield School of Government to secure post-graduate public interest fellowships for graduate students. More recently, I have been a volunteer international elections observer for the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe. 

For the CD-2 Congressional campaign, my issue priorities will be:

• Stabilizing rural hospitals and overall health access.

• Addressing Affordable housing  by building more housing, especially in Main Street districts.

• Seeking federal support for enhancing success of Oregon's unique land use system which protects farm and forest land for long term production.

• Establishing Universal Vote by Mail across the country.

From Tina's campaign page:

I began my career advocating for those in need, and now as Oregon’s Governor, I still carry the value of service instilled in me by my parents. My entire focus is on tackling the state’s biggest challenges and building a better future for Oregonians. 

My grandparents came from Eastern Europe to find opportunity and a better life. My parents were proud first-generation Americans. With the help of the GI Bill, my dad went to night school and was the first in his family to earn a college degree. 

My parents believed in hard work and being involved in the community, and encouraged us to follow our dreams.

When I moved to Oregon in 1987, I found a place where I could truly be myself. I fell in love with the beauty of the state and the openness of the people. I earned a degree at the University of Oregon, graduating without student debt because of a Pell grant, work study assistance, and affordable tuition.

Read more here. 

When Hank was 7, a company tried to run a gas pipeline through Gaston, Oregon, the rural farm town where he grew up. The company failed, but Hank learned that some forces can profit from destroying rural Oregon. So Hank fought these forces as a journalist in Oregon and for the Chicago Tribune and The New York Times. He exposed corrupt businesses, politicians, and the Trump Administration.

But Hank missed rural Oregon. So he moved back home and now he is a community organizer in the Gorge and works in the Oregon State Senate. Hank is running because the Gorge is the best place in the world. But it is also unaffordable. That’s why Hank will create a Home Hardening Task Force, tax credits for child care workers, and an Agency of Medicaid Paperwork. Because housing, childcare, and healthcare should be affordable, not a luxury. 

I’m running for State Senate District 26 because the policies shaping our economy, our land, and our communities were built for a different time—and they’re not working for us anymore.

My career has focused on how business impacts people and the environment. I started at Patagonia, working across supply chains from raw materials to factory floors. At prAna, I led the launch of Fair Trade Certified apparel in the U.S., the first of its kind in the industry.

In 2015, I co-founded The Renewal Workshop in Cascade Locks, building a factory that repaired and renewed unsold products—creating local jobs and reducing waste. The company was acquired in 2022.

Today, I help companies rethink how they operate—designing better products, training people, and getting more value from what they already have.

I know how to fix what isn’t working. I’ve done it my whole career, and I’m ready to do it for our district.

News Flash: The Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee, the national Democratic PAC that supports state legislative races, has declared this race to be targeted. So national Democrats will be stepping up to help Nicole win.

I’ve spent my life working alongside people from all walks of life, managing historic hotels in our iconic national parks, running a small main-street business, and guiding local entrepreneurs through the Small Business Development Center. Through it all, I’ve learned that the best solutions don’t come from talking at people,they come from listening, rolling up our sleeves, and doing hard work together.

When you elect a representative, you trust them to put your family, your farm, and your local business first.

Unfortunately, the incumbent in District 57 has repeatedly used his office to serve his own financial interests and multinational corporations.

Josiah Dean is running to restore transparent, accountable leadership that prioritizes Eastern Oregon's community needs.

Lisa Gambee brings a rare mix of public‑sector know‑how and private‑sector strategy. As Wasco County Clerk, she modernized critical systems, helped craft the county’s first culture guide, and worked directly with every community in the county - building trusted relationships that give her a clear, ground‑level understanding of local needs.

Before public service, Lisa built a career in brand strategy and entrepreneurship, sharpening her ability to communicate with clarity, think creatively, and lead teams toward meaningful results.

With her record of collaboration, strategic planning, and countywide relationship‑building, Lisa is ready to serve as Wasco County Commissioner with insight, fairness, and a steady hand.

Darcy is a small business owner with over 15 years experience in the insurance and investments industry. She currently serves on the boards for Columbia Gorge Community College (CGCC) and Oregon Community College Association. She actively volunteers for numerous committees and nonprofits in our community, including The Dalles Area Chamber of Commerce Board (Chair & past Treasurer).

Previously Darcy served eight years on The Dalles City Council and Columbia Gateway Urban Renewal Agency (Chair & Vice-Chair). She was also involved with many committees and The Dalles Area Community Outreach Team, The Dalles Sister Cities Association, The Dalles Traffic Safety Committee and Budget Committees for City of The Dalles, CGCC and QLife.

“I’m running for Mayor of The Dalles because it’s time for leadership that actively reaches out to the public and welcomes their input prior to decisions being made. I am a firm believer that the public needs to be able to share their views with the city council before they vote. If an agenda item does not have time set aside for public comments during the meeting, the public needs to be allowed to share their thoughts during the public comment time at the beginning of the meeting.”

Having grown up in The Dalles, Kim Morgan developed an early appreciation for civic engagement and public service through the example of her grandfather, former city councilman Walt Long. After pursuing careers in technology and then equine massage therapy for twenty-five years, she returned to The Dalles in 2009 and shortly after became involved in community leadership and service. 

She was elected to the Columbia Gorge Community College Board of Education in 2017, where she has served twice as both Vice Chair and Chair. 

Morgan has also held statewide leadership roles as Vice President and President of the Oregon Community College Association Board, advocating for students, workforce development, and community colleges across Oregon. Her experience includes leadership of policy, budget, legislative, and membership committees, providing strong expertise in governance, strategic planning, and fiscal oversight. She currently serves as Vice Chair of The Dalles-Wasco County Library Board. 

Known for collaborative leadership, integrity, and open communication, Kim is committed to representing all residents and ensuring that community voices are heard. 

If elected to City Council, she will focus on economic growth, public safety, transparent government, and maintaining a strong quality of life for current and future generations.