Oregon CARES, the political action committee instrumental in reconfiguring the Newberg-Dundee school board and unseating one of the county’s most controversial commissioners, has thrown its weight behind two trios of candidates for local office.

The PAC, technically known as Community Action for Responsible and Equitable Service (CARES), announced April 28 that it was endorsing Andy Byerley for Zone 1 on the school board. Byerley is running against longtime Dundee Mayor David Russ for the position.

“As a longtime educator, I’d like a board that cares, first and foremost, about students, teachers and schools,” Byerley said in a release. “OCPAC helped elect that kind of board in 2023 and I’m honored to have their endorsement in this cycle.”

The PAC also endorsed incumbents Celeste Jones for Zone 4 and Aubrey Nichols for Zone 5. Neither candidate faces a challenger in the May 20 special district election.

The board also endorsed incumbent Jim McMaster and newcomers Brandon Slyter and Nick Konen in the race for three spots on the board of directors for the Chehalem Park and Recreation District. The trio are joined in the race by Ty Darby and Rob Smith.

“We firmly believe that these candidates will exemplify the sort of critical thinking, integrity and love of community that has helped our past candidates reaffirm the nonpartisan nature of Oregon’s local offices,” said Scott Winter, OCPAC spokesperson.

Winter added that the six candidates in two groups are each running for their respective offices as a slate and receiving campaign support from the PAC.

PAC born from controversy

Oregon CARES was founded in 2023 at the height of a highly contentious period in Newberg’s history after a conservative block had wrestled away control of the school board and immediately enmeshed the district in controversy due to some of its decisions. The PAC decried the school board adopting the hyper-political culture war and identity politics taken up by the left and the right across the nation.

“The PAC’s original mission was to remind voters that in Oregon district offices — county commission, school board, sheriff, fire district, etc. — are, by law, nonpartisan,” the release said.

The PAC put its money where its mouth was in backing five candidates for the school board, all who won office to replace the conservative members with more centrist individuals.

The PAC also backed the campaign of David “Bubba” King in his contest against often controversial Lindsay Berschauer for a spot on the county commission. King emerged victorious by a slim margin in a runoff election held last fall.

“We remain committed to the belief that nonpartisan office can be effectively served – regardless of party affiliation – when the community voice is centered around what we dream together for our future and where we can seek understanding in areas where we disagree,” said the PAC’s director, Sarah King.

The special district election is May 20. The county clerk’s office began mailing the ballots on April 30, and ballots must be postmarked by Election Day in order to be counted.