City Council Candidate Chris Smith Greenlit for Public Funds

City Auditor, Gary Blackmer, announced today that Portland City Council candidate, Chris Smith, has been certified to receive public financing through the city’s "voter owned elections" becoming the third candidate to qualify for public financing.

According to the city auditor, Mr. Smith turned in 1,145 valid signatures, more than any of the other candidates seeking public financing for this race. Smith is running for Portland City Commissioner #1 currently held by Sam Adams who is vacating his seat to run for mayor.

"I am obviously very pleased", Smith said. "I couldn't have done this without the support of the people of Portland. We have a lot of work to do and I look forward to meeting as many Portlanders as I can in the next few months."

Mr. Smith is eligible for $140,150 in public funds to be received by March 6, 2008. This calculation is made by subtracting from the $150,000 in public funds, the $5,725 collected in qualifying contributions and the $4,125 collected in seed money contributions.

The campaign also reported that Douglas Fasching has been hired on as campaign manager and Leah Craft has been hired as Field Director. Mr. Fasching most recently served as campaign manager for Judge Joel Penoyer's successful bid for a seat on the Washington State Court of Appeals. Ms. Craft recently worked with Congresswoman Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii) as her Regional Field Representative.