Nurses, fire fighters support Westlund for treasurer

Posted by The Oregonian October 09, 2007 10:15AM

Sen. Ben Westlund is the only candidate so far to replace Randall Edwards as Oregon's state treasurer, but nurses and fire fighters say the Bend Democrat is their choice for the office.

"Ben Westlund is an advocate for Oregon's working families and would be a strong ally to have in the State Treasurer's office," Bruce Humphreys, president of the Oregon Nurses Association, said in a release distributed by Westlund's campaign. The association represents 11,500 nurses.

"Senator Westlund has been a member and co-chair of the Ways and Means budget committee and not many people understand the state's finances like him," Kelly Bach, president of the 3,000-member Oregon State Fire Fighters Council, said in the release. "We know he will be a careful steward of our retirement dollars."

The announcement of the groups' support was made after Westlund spoke to the Oregon AFL-CIO convention in Seaside. The treasurer's race will be part of next year's elections.

- Dave Hogan