Seeking election is known as "running" for a reason - a serious candidate runs from morning to night, seven days a week, often even hashing over campaign issues in her sleep. But just as great marathon runners have staff/volunteers who help them win (my father holds eight world records, three set here in Portland), so too do successful political candidates. I am very happy with the Amanda for Portland 2008 team. Dozens of helpers and hundreds of donors contributed five dollarses to help me qualify for Public Campaign Financing, and many are now volunteering in neighborhoods and at the office. Feet on the streets and voices on phones are crucial elements of winning this election. Houseparties, friend-to-friend conversations, wearing buttons - every effort great or small can make a difference. Come join us, we need you too!

Another key component of what will be a winning campaign came into place in late December, when Ellen Miyo Ino Klaastad agreed to be my campaign manager.

Ellen Miyo Ino Klaastad has a BS in Political Science from Willamette University. She has over two decades of campaign experience in Oregon politics. While she normally works on campaigns at the State Representative level or higher, she will occasionally do county or municipal races for individual candidates she strongly believes will help working people. Many political insiders know to watch which candidate Ellen decides to help in the Oregon Primary, because that candidate has met her standard of ethics and dedication to helping working Oregonians. Ellen has been known to say, “I work with candidates or causes that best represent my dreams for a better future.”

Like me, Ellen's non-campaign life has often involved working swing shift. She has been a Democratic Party Officer, a union Chief Steward for SEIU 503 OPEU 085, and served in community activism roles both in Portland and in Springfield/Lane County. Ellen gets things done.

I am thrilled that Ellen chose to work with me. Conventional campaign wisdom suggests keeping everyone but the candidate out of the spotlight, but I am happy to share the credit for the organization we are building together. Stop by the office, meet Ellen, and join our team!