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The easiest vote of my life
Lisa Freeman
October 17, 2024
It’s fall, it’s raining, and I keep trying to go to bed at 7 because DARKNESS. Is it just me? Anyhoo, I’m keeping my bit short tonight because this stack of postcards aren’t going to write themselves…(Want to write some? Let me know!)
Today we’re hearing from an extra special guest writer - and fabulous campaign spouse - Ben Goertz. He also happens to be the all-star (award winning, in fact) video maker and all around “comms guy” for Lisa’s campaign. He is SO EXCITED TO VOTE and now I’ll let him tell you why (and then stay tuned for a couple amazing new ads this power couple made this week). - Jenn
From yesterday’s Multnomah County Democrats candidate speed dating event.
Look, obviously I'm biased. Lisa and I got married for a million wonderful reasons. But over the 25 years we've known each other I've seen Lisa work for peace and justice by taking on some of the most challenging problems in the toughest places on Earth. There is no one I know better or trust more than her to help lead us through our crises here in Portland.
Lisa's too modest when she tells her stories, but I’ll tell you the real deal! When she talks about "working in extremely tough environments", that includes times when she had to take shelter from rocket attacks in Afghanistan. “Supporting recovery efforts in Syria” means, working with hundreds of brave Syrians, now known as the White Helmets, in the face of impossible odds (Lisa’s never watched the Oscar winning documentary film about the program because she knows too many people who died in the conflict). Writing the handbook for USAID on Countering Violent Extremism didn’t come from working at a think-tank but instead from working with local governments in Northern Nigeria to counter the recruitment efforts of Boko Haram.
Listen, I’m not pitching her as an action movie hero. She’s human. But she brought her skills back home for a reason: Trump.
Lisa came back to America the day after Trump was elected in 2016. She's worked in enough crisis zones to know the warning signs. She changed her career to working in Portland. When the Mayor needed someone to lead on the gun violence emergency Lisa stepped up to take on a problem that many thought was intractable. Through her efforts, and countless others on the team, gun violence in Portland is now down 35% from the peak in 2022.
I'm often amazed (but not surprised) by her tenacity and quiet resolve to stand up and lead when it’s easy to imagine hesitating. Like many people, we talk a lot about the future we're leaving for our kids and I worry about Portland. Watching Lisa’s resolve to live out her ideals and choose the hard work inspires me. She gives me hope that we can make this place we call home a little bit better everyday.
Join me in ranking Lisa #1 this election. It’s the easiest vote I’ll ever cast.