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Factoids about Jonathan Tasini

Union members are especially responding to Jonathan's message, and his 40-year union membership and leadership. He was president of UAW Local 1981. Jonathan has 27 union endorsements, by far the most in District 2, representing thousands of Portlanders: Teachers, retail workers, public employees, laborers, health care workers, truck drivers, janitors, electricians, ironworkers, carpenters, engineers, pipefitters, landscapers, workers who repair bridges, roads, sidewalks and bikeways, park rangers, painters, operating engineers, letter carriers, and auto workers.

Unions, unlike non-profit advocacy groups, have actual dues-paying members who are the core of our community and live in every corner of the district.

Renters have been especially drawn to Jonathan's campaign because of his emphasis on defending renters. As a life-long renter, he emphasizes when he speaks to voters that houselessness is an issue of economics: the minimum wage to rent a 2-BR place in PDX needs to be $32-an-hour (source: National Low Income Housing Coalition). Jonathan is the only candidate specifically calling for a hike, in stages, in the minimum wage to $25-an-hour. He supports the Renters Bill of Rights.

Climate change is central to Jonathan's appeal to voters across the district. He has worked closely with activists who are working to move the Critical Energy Infrastructure which poses a grave threat to the district and the entire city. This activism builds on his lifelong work on climate change and the environment. He has the sole endorsement of global climate change leader Bill McKibben (see below).

His message of thinking long-term, rather than knee-jerk short-term solutions, is resonating at the over 10,000 doors (as of October 19th) he personally has knocked on since May. For example, he is advocating for a four-day work week for the same pay, starting with public employees—a movement that is far advanced around the world, and is being embraced by private sector employers.

Some thoughts about Jonathan from key leaders:

“We need fighters like Jonathan Tasini taking the working class’s issues straight to the halls of power, from city council to the statehouse and beyond. As a 32-year UAW member, Jonathan knows what it takes to fight and win big for workers, and will always be on the front lines with labor”—Shawn Fain, president, UAW.

“Jonathan combines exactly what Portland needs: someone who doesn’t waver from core moral principles and someone who knows how to get things done”—Valdez Bravo, former vice-chair, Oregon Democratic Party.

"Rarely does a candidate come along who understands the fundamental economic proposition of the labor movement as well as Jonathan Tasini.  He will make a great city councilor because he understands that to rebuild Portland, we must focus on closing the wage and wealth gap”—Laurie Wimmer, Executive Secretary-Treasurer, NOLC.

Bill McKibben, 350.org founder and global climate leader, says, in his sole endorsement for any candidate: “Jonathan Tasini fights at the important intersection between environmental change and the lives of workers. It’s a crucial place to be.”