Progressive Jennifer Smith declares victory in Ward 3 primary

from Dylan Plummer and staff reports

City Council Ward 3 candidate and SEIU 503 Local 085 President Jennifer Smith declared victory against local business owner John Barofsky.

Election results released Wednesday, May 20 at 5 p.m. showed Smith with a 56% to 43% lead. As mail-in ballots continue to arrive, updated results will be released May 21, May 28, June 10, and June 15 at 5 p.m.

In a statement, Smith said: “This result is a testament to the power of solidarity and community organizing. Our grassroots, volunteer-led campaign ran on our progressive values and our belief that a better Eugene is possible, and we won. I’m eager to serve the residents of Ward 3 and tackle the problems facing working families in our city.”

Despite being outspent more than 3-1 by polluting industry and large corporate monied interests, Jennifer Smith’s campaign boasts a long list of endorsements and community support.

Smith’s campaign was endorsed by labor unions including SEIU 503, AFSCME 2417, Graduate Teaching Fellows Federation (GTFF), UO Student Workers, and the Sheet Metal Workers Union, along with climate organizations including the Sierra Club, Oregon League of Conservation Voters, Jane Fonda’s Jane PAC, and Run on Climate.

Smith was also endorsed by the Eugene Tenant Alliance, Associated Students of University of Oregon, former Eugene Mayors Kitty Piercy and Lucy Vinis, along with Eugene Council members Eliza Kashinsky, Lyndsie Leech, Jennifer Yeh, and Alan Zelenka.

In other Eugene City Council races, incumbents Jennifer Yeh (Ward 4) and Greg Evans (Ward 6) each received about 70% of the votes in their wards and will also appear unopposed on the ballot in November.

With about 41% of the vote, Mike Clark (Ward 5) did not exceed the 50%+1 vote threshold under Oregon election law for nonpartisan positions. He will face a November runoff election against Athena Aguiar (37%). Jasmine Hatmaker also drew over 21% from Ward 5 voters in the May 19 primary.