Who Is (And Isn't) Getting Behind Deborah Kafoury

Portland Mercury:

Deborah Kafoury, the former Multnomah County commissioner vying for Jeff Cogen's abdicated county chairship, unveiled a list of supporters earlier today, and it's formidable. That's mainly because the roster includes both former Gov. Barbara Roberts and current Gov. John Kitzhaber. But Kafoury also name drops social services advocates, former County Chair Bev Stein and almost the entirety of the current county board of commissioners. A conspicuous absence on the list: Diane McKeel, the two-term county commissioner who represents an enormous swath of East County. So what's holding McKeel back, when all her co-commissioners seem to think Kafoury would be a good choice? Concern for her district, according to Eric Zimmerman, McKeel's chief of staff. "She's definitely making sure that, whatever happens in the race, the people or person who runs for that seat thinks about East County in their campaign," said Zimmerman. McKeel, he points out, has indicated she'd consider launching her own bid for Cogen's seat. That's a decision that won't be clear until the first of the year. If McKeel did decide to toss in her hat, Multnomah County would be looking at yet a third short-term designee assuming the mantle of county leadership. When Cogen stepped down under a cloud of suspicion (he was cleared of criminal wrongdoing), his designee and chief of staff Marissa Madrigal became county chair. When Kafoury resigned to run for Cogen's spot, Oregon Department of Human Services manager Leisl Wendt took her seat. McKeel's designee is a Gresham real estate broker Sue O'Halloran. As it stands, Kafoury's primary opposition in the race to fill out Cogen's term is former city commissioner and mayoral candidate Jim Francesconi. Two other men also are running—a former US Army Officer and entrepreneur named Steven Reynolds and a high school dropout and former View-Master employee (he has insisted on being described as such via voicemail and a handwritten note ) named James Rowell. [ Subscribe to the comments on this story ]

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