Brad Avakian, OR Labor Commissioner, wins the Secretary of State primary.

[L. Coyote]

This places Oregon's best Labor candidate in line for governor.

Avakian wins Democratic primary for secretary of state
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State Labor Commissioner Brad Avakian has defeated his two Democratic opponents — both prominent members of the Oregon Legislature — in a hard-fought, expensive contest in the primary race for secretary of state.

With 66 percent of the vote counted Tuesday night, Avakian had captured more than 39 percent. Rep. Val Hoyle trailed not far behind with 34 percent and Sen. Richard Devlin followed last with about 26 percent.

In November, Avakian faces prominent Republican Dennis Richardson, who's vying for a political comeback after an unsuccessful run against former Gov. John Kitzhaber two years ago.

Avakian had the strongest financial backing this year until the end of April, when two donations totaling $350,000 pushed Hoyle in the lead and raised the stakes in the race's last few weeks. ..........

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MAY 17, 2016

AVAKIAN WINS DEMOCRATIC NOMINATION FOR SECRETARY OF STATE

PORTLAND – Tonight, Brad Avakian, Oregon’s Labor Commissioner, won the Democratic Party’s primary election for Oregon Secretary of State. Avakian won the nomination after a competitive primary against Senator Richard Devlin and Representative Val Hoyle. Avakian will face Republican Dennis Richardson in the November general election.

“I congratulate Richard Devlin and Val Hoyle on a hard-fought campaign, and I’m honored that Oregon Democrats have placed their trust in me as our Party’s nominee for Secretary of State. I’m proud that we’ve run a substantive, issue-oriented campaign, and I want to thank the many volunteers and supporters who have helped make this victory possible,” Avakian said.

Throughout the campaign, Avakian has focused the conversation on Oregon’s progressive priorities - combating climate change, returning civics education to our public schools, ensuring equality, and giving everyone a voice in our democracy.

Avakian earned key endorsements from progressive groups such as NARAL Pro-Choice Oregon PAC, The Oregon Chapter of the Sierra Club, the Oregon Education Association, Basic Rights Oregon’s Equality PAC, the Working Families Party and the Oregon League of Conservation Voters.

“Brad Avakian is the pro-choice champion Oregon deserves. We know he will fight for economic equality and reproductive justice for all Oregon Women,” Michele Stranger Hunter, Executive Director of NARAL Pro-Choice Oregon PAC, said.