query: organizer-politicians

[Discussion list for COMM-ORG]

[Ed:  thanks to Charles, Gail, and Kathy and for adding to the list.]

From: Charles Heying <heyingc at pdx.edu>


Jim Francesconi, long term Portland, OR city council member and 
previously candidate for mayor of Portland began his career working for 
the Portland Orgnanizing Project an IAF affiliate.  The man who defeated 
Francesconi, and now Portland's mayor, Tom Potter was a former police 
chief who brought community based policing to Portland. Ironically  
Potter defeated Francesconi by running one of the best grassroots 
campaigns in the city's history. Francesconi raised over $1 million from 
downtown business backers, Potter refused to take any contributions over 
$100 per person and raised about 1/5 what Francesconi did but still 
defeated him by a landslide.

Former mayor Vera Katz, was activist organizer - this from her bio. 
"Vera entered politics as an activist, and picketed the Portland City 
Club in the late 1960s and early 70s, protesting their exclusion of 
women, and effectively pushing the Club into admitting women. From her 
success, Vera embarked on a political career that would span more than 
three decades.  She was first elected to the Oregon House of 
Representatives in 1972.  During her tenure she became the first woman 
to chair the Ways and Means Committee, as well as Oregon’s first woman 
to serve as Speaker of the House, and the only three-time speaker.  In 
1992, she launched a successful mayoral campaign, starting the first of 
three terms as Portland’s third female mayor."

*********************************

From: "Gail Schechter" <gail at interfaithhousingcenter.org>


Another one -- Rosie Mendez was a tenant organizer who worked for me in the
1980s in Brooklyn.  Now she's a member of the City Council of NYC.  Go
Rosie!

Gail


Gail Schechter
Executive Director
Interfaith Housing Center of the Northern Suburbs
620 Lincoln Ave.
Winnetka, IL  60093
Phone: 847-501-5762, ext. 406
Fax: 847-501-5722
gail at interfaithhousingcenter.org
www.interfaithhousingcenter.org

***********************************

From:  Kathy Partridge <interfaithfunders at yahoo.com>


John Kafalas, Colorado House (former CO Progressive Coalition organizer)
 
Kathy Partridge
Executive Director
Interfaith Funders
www.interfaithfunders.org
2719 Denver Ave.
Longmont, CO  80503
Voice 720-494-9011
Fax 708-585-6434  Cell 303-594-6434