The Oregon Secretary of State has now determined that United Food and Commercial Workers Local 555 has been successful in its efforts to demand a recall election of State Representative Paul Holvey (D-Eugene). The union-backed campaign was required to submit 4,598 signatures from voters within House District 8, and was found to have 5,055 valid signatures out of more than 10,000 submitted.

The Recall Campaign (officially designated simply as RPH PAC) had been hoping to qualify in July, but was not able to collect the needed amount of signatures that quickly.

“Petitioning for a recall is an extraordinarily high bar, and we couldn’t have done it without the outpouring of support from thousands of my fellow District 8 residents who demanded accountability. For the first time in his career, Rep. Holvey will have a serious challenge at the ballot: his own record.” – Recall Sponsor Nathan Erne, a constituent of Holvey’s.

The Recall effort outlined a long list of what they say are anti-worker actions and questionable conduct by Holvey that warrant his removal, including his opposition to the union's preferred legislation.

A D V E R T I S E M E N T

A D V E R T I S E M E N T

“Oregonians deserve better representation than Paul Holvey provides; this applies especially to working Oregonians who have been left behind by Holvey and the Democratic Party’s Caucus leadership. Paul Holvey knows how to advance or kill legislation on behalf of corporations like La Mota that are owned by rich people; he’s just forgotten how to do it for regular people, like La Mota’s employees.” – Miles Eshaia, UFCW 555’s Communications Coordinator.

It is rare that labor union works against a Democrat Party legislator in general, however, Holvey himself also comes from a union background and is still with the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America (UBC).

"This recall effort was launched by one special interest group and their lobbyist," explained Holvey. "Simply because I asked questions about a potential piece of legislation they were pushing. Asking questions is foundational to the job of being a State Representative and Chair of the Business and Labor Committee; it ensures there are no unintended consequences to our community and the people of Oregon."

If Holvey resigns or is recalled, the Lane County Democratic Party will provide the Lane County Commission a list of 3 to 5 candidates from which to select a replacement.


--Ben Fisher

Post Date: 2023-08-27 05:47:27

Last Update: 2023-09-16 16:26:54