HD42: Albert Kaufman is in.

AlbertkaufmanAlbert Kaufman has announced that he's running for State Representative in House District 42, the seat presently held by Rep. Diane Rosenbaum.

I am an activist. My passions have led to work on issues such as women's' reproductive healthcare, protecting our forests, cleaning our rivers and advocating for mass transit and bike funding. I recently led a push to turn the Mount Hood National Forest into the Mount Hood National Park. The campaign has successfully added pressure on our state delegation to increase the amount of wilderness area on Mt. Hood. I created FreecyclePortland - an on-line meeting place for people to give away things they no longer need and find things they seek - for free. This model has been followed by millions around the world and has kept tons of trash from our landfills. Healthcare is vitally important to me and that includes growing some of my own food and eating organic and locally produced food whenever possible. I also believe that all Oregonians are entitled to comprehensive healthcare and will make that a cornerstone of my legislative work if I am elected.

Until this week, Albert was a regular contributor here at BlueOregon.

District 42 includes most of inner Southeast Portland (and a smidge of Northeast, south of I-84). See a map here.

Donate via ActBlue. Visit AlbertForOregon.com for more.

Discuss.

  • (Show?)

    Is Diane not planning on running?

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    I honestly don't know the official status of Rep. Rosenbaum's 2008 plans, but most folks seem to be assuming that she's running for Kate Brown's seat in the State Senate.

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    She's already filed for the Senate seat:

    Diane Rosenbaum Democrat State Senator, 21st District Fee 9/13/2007

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    I should also note that I'm keeping track of filings here:

    http://blogfororegon.com/2007/10/2008_candidates_updated

  • Alan Tresidder (unverified)
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    Can I assume that BlueOregon will print a nice profile like this for each and every candidate that files in Dist 42? Should be quite the crowd before we are done.

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    That's two regular writers for BlueOregon up for election this year (Novick was the first)--and Jesse ran in the last cycle. No doubt the fame and credibility the blog affords will buoy Albert to victory. Good luck!

  • (Show?)
    Posted by: Jeff Alworth | Oct 1, 2007 3:57:14 PM That's two regular writers for BlueOregon up for election this year (Novick was the first)--and Jesse ran in the last cycle

    Lew Fredrick also ran in the last cycle.

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    Can I assume that BlueOregon will print a nice profile like this for each and every candidate that files in Dist 42? Should be quite the crowd before we are done.

    Yes. In fact, we've decided to start doing up profiles of all the new candidates for the House. We've gone through Jenni's very-helpful list of candidates already filed, found the ones that have a website or other announcement online already, and queued 'em up for later this week.

    Folks should feel free to get in touch with me if we've missed 'em.

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    And Jeff, don't forget Chris Smith - who announced for City Council last week.

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    Kari:

    Glad to hear the list helped. I was curious myself a few weeks ago when I found the list on the SOS web site. I figured I would make it easier for people to find the list and view it.

    As the list gets longer, I'll break it up more. At that point I'll try to put the offices in seniority order, as opposed to the alphabetical order they're in now.

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    They're coming too fast. I can't keep everyone straight--especially egregious since Chris's announcement came out like two days ago.

    And since everyone's jumping in, I guess I might as well announce that I plan to run for mayor. Hey, anything for the good of the blog!

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    In case anyone wants to refer to a similar list from 2006 to see who ran and what happened, I obsessed over articles on Wikipedia that did just that. I got some last-minute help from a newcomer in Lake County, too -- there's some quality info here, presented in a relatively easy-to-read way.

    Statewide and legislature/general: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oregon%27s_statewide_elections%2C_2006

    Legislature/primaries: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oregon_primary_election%2C_2006

    Portland metro area, incl. Mult. Co. and Metro: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portland%2C_Oregon_area_elections%2C_2006

    p.s. no, I'm NOT planning to do this again this year!! Too much work!!!

  • Taoiseach (unverified)
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    What a coincidence that two candidates go public on BlueOregon on the same day--and that each one is a new resident in their respective districts proves even more fascinating!

    Didn't Mr. Kaufman recently serve as the president of the Beaumont-Wilshire neighborhood association? And isn't that neighborhood in House District 45, where there's a three-way primary contest brewing (Cyreena Boston vs. Michael Dembrow vs. Jon Coney)?

    And you've already heard my take on the Smith gambit, which I won't repeat here.

    This shouldn't, and doesn't, disqualify someone who's new to the area for standing in an election. But these districts have borders for reasons, and there must be qualities of a new resident that can overcome that fact.

  • Taoiseach (unverified)
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    (qualities of a new resident that can overcome that fact)...

    should add:

    ...if they think they can adequately represent their new neighborhood.

  • Albert (unverified)
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    Taoiseach: What a coincidence that two candidates go public on BlueOregon on the same day--and that each one is a new resident in their respective districts proves even more fascinating!

    Didn't Mr. Kaufman recently serve as the president of the Beaumont-Wilshire neighborhood association? And isn't that neighborhood in House District 45, where there's a three-way primary contest brewing (Cyreena Boston vs. Michael Dembrow vs. Jon Coney)?

    Taoiseach, politics and life are interesting in that there are a lot of unknowns. Like: I didn't know that my announcement on BlueOregon would come yesterday, but there it is! Regarding one's home, people in the United States tend to move around a lot. Since I moved to Portland 6 years ago, I have lived in Northeast (near the Kennedy School), in SW on the edge of Ceder Hills, Northeast again - on 44th and Klickitat and now find myself nestled close to Burnside in the 30s. When I lived in Seattle, I also tended to move around. To me it's a great way to learn about the place I live in. And, sometimes it's circumstantial - one moves in with a partner, or to be closer to a great music venue like the Goodfoot which I swear I will make it to in the not too distant future! In terms of winning this seat, it probably would have made a lot more sense for me to stay in Beaumont Wilshire, but that's not the hand that life has dealt me and I'm excited to be living in the 42nd District. My sense is that each district's issues are different, but the difference between these two is not as stark as that between my current district and one in Eastern Oregon, let's say.

    All that to say - I'm excited by the opportunity to represent the 42nd district - I have wanted to be a state legislator for years and the golden opportunity seems to be right now for me to run for office. I believe I will be a fantastic representative - I have enthusiasm, smarts, I'm accessible, friendly and have strong progressive values. I will be sending in a guest column shortly that will talk more about my campaign, but I hope this answers some of your questions. In terms of Jefferson Smith, we are so lucky that the man is running for office - I'd rather see us get behind him than to question why he chose to live where he did. I'm just excited that he's finally running and can't wait to see the man in action! I mean, he's always in action, but you know what I mean !

  • shug (unverified)
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    I think Albert could make it at the state level. His approach to politics continues to mature, his resume is rounding out nicely, and his enthusiasm should be enough to compensate for his lack of legislative experience.

    If Albert can pull a team together, and if he spends a few months canvassing his district, he has time to build a bona fide base by the primaries.

  • Steve Bennett (unverified)
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    I have known Albert for many years. He is informed, honest, involved, and he is an authentically caring person who craves for a better life for all. I trust Albert to be a wonderful representative.

  • Kate McNulty (unverified)
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    I would be so very pleased to support Albert's candidacy for public office. I have known him through various social and community venues for close to ten years, and he is a person others look up to and listen to. In my experience Albert has always been responsible, thoughtful and outspoken, and has the admirable qualities of being both honest and kind; traits of course lacking in many civic arenas. I am glad to hear that he is interested in this role and plan to do all I can to support him in his goals. Kate McNulty, LCSW Director, Portland Counseling Center

  • Alexander Kain (unverified)
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    I wholeheartedly support Albert's candidacy. He truly cares about communities at a very human level and is capable of effecting real change. He stands for sustainable and healthy living, with a passion for serving with integrity.

    Alexander Kain, Ph.D. Research Professor, OHSU

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