Guest: Annie Naranjo Rivera, State Director, Oregon Working Families Party
Episode Summary
44% of registered Oregon voters — 1.4 million people — aren’t registered with either major party. This spring, the Working Families Party (WFP) went on a run in Democratic primaries, unseating a sitting state senator for the first time since 2018 and winning 37 of its 49 endorsed races. Mike sits down with Oregon WFP State Director Annie Naranjo Rivera to unpack what the party actually stands for, how fusion voting works in Oregon, and whether a party built to primary Democrats can also speak to the huge bloc of voters who’ve walked away from both parties entirely.
The WFP has five planks —
a home you can afford,
healthcare you can rely on,
a good job to support your family,
childcare when and where you need it, and
time to spend with your family.
Sound good? This might be the political party for you.
In This Episode
The state of the electorate in Oregon — only 26% think the state is headed in the right direction; 85% say cost of living is worsening; 77% say housing is worsening
Annie’s origin story — daughter of a Cuban refugee, grew up in poverty, why lived experience belongs in decision-making spaces
What WFP actually is — not a Green Party-style third party; a “non-delusional third party” built on fusion voting
Fusion voting, explained — how Oregon’s version differs from New York’s (Zohran Mamdani’s WFP ballot line), and how candidates like Labor Commissioner Christina Stevenson appear cross-nominated as Democrat/WFP/Independent
The Governor’s Prosperity Council — why WFP opposes its recommendations, and a pointer back to the S3 episode with Juan Carlos Ordoñez (Oregon Center for Public Policy) for the counter-perspective
Myrna Munoz vs. Janeen Sollman — the primary upset Annie calls the most significant Oregon race in two decades, and the coalition (including first-time primary voters) that powered it
Why WFP didn’t endorse Gov. Kotek in the primary — first of all - she didn’t apply, however there are legitimate concerns coming out of her handling of preschool-for-all and the Prosperity Council. Ultimately its up to the members - what the Governor’s appearance at WFP’s August convention signals
Data centers — WFP’s position (not opposed outright, opposed to subsidies without community process, and to costs landing on ratepayers, farmland, and water)
Immigration enforcement and ICE activity — the economic and community impact in Washington County and Hillsboro
Healthcare — Medicaid/OHP access gaps in Tillamook County, hospital closures (Seaside Providence’s maternity ward), and the case for universal healthcare
Get Involved
WFP Nominating Convention - Sign UP!
Saturday 8/15 | 8am-3pm - Workshops and panels
Saturday 8/15 | 6pm-8pm - Convention Weekend Dinner & Celebration
Sunday 8/16 | 9am-12pm - Nominating Convention
Join WFP — text MEMBER to 30403
Learn more at their website: Oregon WFP
Related Episodes
S03 E01 — Curtis Robinhold on the Oregon Prosperity Council
S03 E04 — Juan Carlos Ordoñez (Oregon Center for Public Policy) on the Prosperity Council, from the other side
