SEIU 49 and SEIU 503 make up the SEIU Oregon State Council. Our political endorsements are done in partnership between locals with members of each local having the final say on each endorsement. Endorsements are 100% member-led through the transparent process outlined below. Electing pro-worker champions is essential to our ability to do our jobs safely with fair compensation for our work. SEIU 503’s political endorsement process utilizes the CAPE Council, their political action committee elected by CAPE contributors to research and evaluate candidates before making recommendations to their Board of Directors who make the ultimate decision. SEIU 49’s endorsements are also made by their Board of Directors. Both boards are composed of members elected by other members to lead their local.
SEIU 503 members lead the process for races that impact their workplaces, such as the Oregon Legislature, and 49 members lead the process for races that impact their workplaces, such as the City of Portland.
For those districts or offices where our union plans to make an endorsement, all candidates who meet our criteria are invited to participate, regardless of party affiliation. The only exceptions are: For all levels of elected office, incumbents seeking our endorsement who have been deemed “champions” by supporting us in bargaining, policy, and/or legislation do not need to go through our process again and candidates challenging champion incumbents will not be able to seek our endorsement. Additionally, any candidate who does not support core and fundamental issues like the right to join a union and collectively bargain cannot receive SEIU’s endorsement.
Here is an outline of SEIU Oregon’s 2024 endorsement process:
Statewide Candidates (Secretary of State, Treasurer, Attorney General)
- Complete a written questionnaire that is acceptable to members
- Participate in an interview with SEIU 503 and 49 members
- Participate in a Walk-a-Day with SEIU 503 or 49 members (this is shadowing a member to gain a better understanding of what a typical day may be like for an SEIU Oregon worker)
All Other Candidates
Champions: These are elected officials who participated in organizing and bargaining campaigns, who supported our contracts, and who championed and supported our priorities. These candidates do not have to go through an SEIU endorsement process again, unless they are running for a different office. Only candidates we’ve previously endorsed can be considered Champions.
Supporters: These are elected officials who have generally supported our agenda and our members, but perhaps voted against a priority bill or policy. These candidates will have a meeting with SEIU members to discuss their vote.
All Others: These are first-time candidates or elected officials who have never sought our endorsement before, who have actively opposed our union’s priorities, or who are running for a different office. They have to do our full process, which includes:
- Complete a questionnaire that is acceptable to members
- Participate in an interview with SEIU 503 and 49 members
- Participate in a training led by SEIU 503 and 49 members
All candidates, regardless of their status, will still need to receive the approval of CAPE and the Boards of Directors to receive an endorsement.
Want to get involved in the 2024 endorsement process?
Check back soon for links to sign up to be involved in the endorsement process.