Peter Nordbye brushed aside fellow Mountain resident Marv Hollingsworth.
Now he has one more hurdle to clear.

Nordbye captured the Democratic primary for House District 52 state
representative, with a convincing 67 percent of the vote, which was made
more glaring by the fact that he is a political newcomer and only accepting
$50 maximun donations.

“I was surprised by the margin being as much as it was,” Nordbye told The
Mountain Times. “But I wasn’t really surprised (by the outcome). We worked
hard enough to win.”

Nordbye’s winning margin held up in all three areas of District 52, receiving
67 percent in Clackamas County, 57 percent in Multnomah County, and he
enjoyed a 72.5 percent bulge in Hood River County.

“We had difficulty, to begin with, in Hood River,” Nordbye said. “No one knew
me. But we had a good plan. We had a total of 52 volunteers on the ground.
They were all over the place, holding meetings, going door-to-door, making
phone calls, attending house parties and sign waving.”

As unconventional as his campaign was, it certainly worked. The campaign
limited individual contributions to $50, and then, only from constituents in the
district. No political organizations, groups or businesses were allowed in.
One of Nordbye’s beliefs – that of campaign finance reform – is at the core of
his seeking office.

“I’ve had offers from other groups but have turned them down,” he said. “The
integrity of my campaign would have been compromised. I must have
credibility for my intent to reform campaign financing.”

Despite the money raising constraints, the campaign still was able to raise
$9,000, secured in $50-increments from more than 170 donors.

Nordbye’s campaign, spearheaded by volunteer campaign manager Jan Smith,
now turns its attention to the Nov. 6 general election, where incumbent
Republican Mark Johnson awaits.

The campaign plan is to raise $100,000 through 2,000 new donors.
“It’s a tall hill to climb,” Nordbye said. “He will have lots of money. Our
donation goal has to happen. We need a larger force that will build toward
November, and avoid fatigue. They are all volunteers.”

One major endorsement has surfaced for Nordbye, that of the Oregon School
Employees Association.

“They will be active,” he said. “And we will be going after others.”

Nordbye’s reaction to the primary run has been positive, a learning experience
as he puts it.

“I’ve certainly learned a lot,” he said. “I understand the system better. You
find out things about yourself as well. I’m mostly an introvert. But that’s
changing.”

County Commission
Martha Schrader delivered the big blow in her run for Position 3. Schrader
gained a clear majority of 51.9 percent and will take the seat.

Jamie Damon and Tootie Smith locked up in a photo finish for Position 4, with
Damon garnering a 36.2 percent to 35.1 percent edge. The pair will face a
runoff in November.

John Ludlow and Charlotte Lehan battled to what amounted to a draw for
Position 1, and chair of the commission. Ludlow will take his 28.7 percent to
26.7 percent edge into the runoff.