The Political Reality newsletter is put out by BPAC to inform the membership about political action, candidate endorsements, legislative events, etc. Click here for more information on BPAC.
Canvassing for State Representative Farrah Chaichi
Anti-tax and anti-labor interests have decided to target Beaverton’s Representative Farrah Chaichi in the upcoming May primary election. Rep. Chaichi has been one of BEA’s biggest champions in the legislature, never settling for subpar deals and relentlessly fighting for better school funding, affordable healthcare, and stronger labor rights, among many other progressive issues. These strong labor values have made her a target—we need to step up to support her so she can continue to represent our values and needs in Salem!
As a local, we have decided to organize three critical canvasses to talk to the communities we serve about how important Rep. Chaichi is to us.
Please sign up to join us at one or more of the following canvasses over the next month, as the primary is less than four weeks away:
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Sunday, April 28th at 1pm (Barsotti Park, 16610 SW Blanton St)
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Sunday, May 5th at 1pm (Pio Pio Park, 2135 SW 187th Ave)
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Saturday, May 18th at 11am (Ceder Hills Park, 2300 SW Cedar Hills Blvd)
Sign up at bit.ly/BEAMayVote. On that form, select that you’d like to volunteer for Rep. Chaichi, and then select the days you can volunteer.
Together, we can continue to make Beaverton and Oregon stronger!
Our Endorsed Candidates for the May 2023 Beaverton Election
Maham Ahmed for BSD School Board (Zone 3) – Maham is a former White House Policy Analyst who currently works in communications for the National Forestry Service Wildfire Management Department. She is passionate about the Beaverton community as well as policy work, and recognizes that many issues in our schools have very complex solutions. She is committed to working with our communities, educators, and students as she tackles those issues. Learn more about Maham at mahamforbsd.com
Justice Rajee for BSD School Board (Zone 6) – Justice is the cofounder of Beaverton Black Parent Union and the Executive Director of Reimagine Oregon. He has worked with youth and families within marginalized communities for many years, and he is excited to bring his expertise to the School Board. He is committed to deciphering out what is working and what isn’t for students in Beaverton, looking at the structures of schools and how to measure success, and increasing community involvement in schools. Learn more about Justice at www.justicerajee.net
Tammy Carpenter for BSD School Board (Zone 7) – Tammy is a local physician, and is ready to tackle the challenges students and educators are facing in Beaverton. She is focused on identifying structures and curriculum that will serve all of our students. Learn more about Tammy at www.tammycarpenter.com
BEA Endorsements for the November 8th Election
WHAT IS BPAC?
The Beaverton Teachers Political Action Committee (BPAC) is a committee made up of BEA members who guide the political activity of our local union. We conduct interviews and endorse candidates for public office, engage members in political action and communicate with members about local political advocacy.
Below are the endorsements from BPAC, PAT-PAC, and OEA PAC for the November election. All PAC endorsement decisions are made by groups of union educators who interview candidates and endorse those who will advocate for strong and fully funded public education as well as workers’ rights.
BEA ENDORSEMENTS:
⇒ YES on Measure 34-321(BSD teachers’ levy)
⇒ Ken Helm (House District 27)
⇒ Lisa Reynolds (House District 34)
⇒ Farrah Chaichi (House District 35)
⇒ Elizabeth Steiner Hayward (Senate District 17)
⇒ Wlnsvey Campos (Senate District 18)
PORTLAND ASSOCIATION OF TEACHERS (PAT) ENDORSEMENTS:
⇒ Jo Ann Hardesty (Portland City Council Position 3)
⇒ Jessica Vega Pederson (Multnomah County Chair)
⇒ Dacia Grayber (House District 28)
⇒ Maxine Dexter (House District 33)
⇒ Tawna Sanchez (House District 43)
⇒ Travis Nelson (House District 44)
⇒ Thuy Tran (House District 45)
⇒ Khanh Pham (House District 46)
⇒ Elizabeth Steiner Hayward (Senate District 17)
⇒ YES on Portland Measure 26-288 (changes the way Portland City Council is elected)
OEA-PAC ENDORSEMENTS:
⇒ Tina Kotek (Governor)
⇒ Christina Stephenson (BOLI Commissioner)
⇒ Ron Wyden (US Senate)
⇒ Suzanne Bonamici (Congressional District 1)
⇒ Earl Blumenauer (Congressional District 3)
⇒ Val Hoyle (Congressional District 4)
⇒ Jamie McLeod-Skinner (Congressional District 5)
⇒ Andrea Salinas (Congressional District 6)
⇒ YES on Measure 111 (State must ensure affordable healthcare access, balanced against requirement to fund schools, other essential services)
⇒ YES on Measure 112 (remove language allowing slavery and involuntary servitude as punishment for crime)
⇒ YES on Measure 113 (Legislators with ten unexcused absences from floor sessions disqualified from holding next term of office.)
⇒ YES on Measure 114 (gun violence prevention)
⇒Read all OEA endorsements across the state here
It’s Vital to Pass the Beaverton Teachers’ Levy Renewal on November 8th
November election:
This November, among many other things, the future of our school district is on the ballot. Beaverton voters will be voting on the renewal of the operating levy that currently funds almost 300 teaching positions. This levy renewal won’t increase taxes and will maintain the funding for teaching positions.
This graphic shows how many teachers in each building are currently funded by the levy. Without passing the renewal of the levy, the funding for these positions will go away – resulting in a reduction in positions. As educators in Beaverton, we know how much support our students need. We cannot afford to lose this funding and have our class sizes increase. Join us to talk to voters about the importance of maintaining the funding for teaching positions in Beaverton!
Levy Campaign Events:
Talking face-to-face with voters (canvassing) is the most effective way to ensure that our neighbors vote. We have planned four dates to gather and knock on doors together to talk to Beaverton voters about the importance of renewing the operating levy. Bring a friend and join us on at least one of these days to get the levy passed!
Sunday, October 23rd noon-3 pm
Meet at the BEA Office
Sunday, October 30th, noon-3 pm
Meet at Beaverton City Library
Saturday, November 5th, noon-3 pm
(Location TBD)
Sunday, November 6th, noon-3 pm
Aloha HS area (Exact meeting place TBD)
Sign up to canvass at bit.ly/BPACGOTV22.
BPAC Endorsements for the May 2022 Election
April 2021 BPAC Endorsements!
April 2021 Political Reality Newsletter
