Democratic gubernatorial candidate Sue Minter was endorsed Friday by Oregon Gov. Kate Brown.
Brown, one of six female governors, took the top job in 2014 after six years serving as Oregon’s secretary of state, becoming America’s first openly bisexual governor. Brown has enacted a free community college plan in Oregon that shares similarities to Minter’s Vermont Promise college proposal.
Oregon’s plan put $10 million in a community college fund for qualified students. The money has been projected to assist between 4,000 and 6,000 Oregon community college students out of the roughly 140,000 Oregonians in the community college system.
In other areas, Minter and Brown match up on policy. Brown has advocated for tighter gun restrictions and signed a bill into law in March that will incrementally raise the minimum wage to $14.75 by 2022.
Brown’s endorsement of Minter comes on the heels of a number of national Democrats throwing their support behind the former transportation secretary.
In a conference call with reporters, Minter thanked Brown, whom she described as a mentor and friend for years.
“This is exciting for me” and “adds to the growing momentum,” Minter said. For her part, Brown complemented Minter (whose name she apologized for mispronouncing “Mintner”) as “energetic and enthusiastic.”
Minter stressed her focus on job creation, noting 50 small business leaders had embraced her approach to invest in innovation and revitalizing downtown.
Other recent endorsements include President Barack Obama, who recorded radio ads in support of Minter, and Sen. Bernie Sanders has also recorded television ads for Minter, in addition to a recent statewide tour where he touted his support of her.
On Wednesday, Minnesota U.S. Sen. Al Franken visited Burlington to stump on her behalf as well.
