Democratic Party of Lane County Chair Chris Wig today announced his run for Eugene City Council Ward 1 in the 2016 primary election. Joshua Skov announced his candidacy last week for the position now held by George Brown. Brown may or may not seek re-election.

Here are additional statements from the press release sent out today by Wig’s campaign:

“Eugene is growing, and we’re not growing with it,” Wig said. “I have demonstrated my ability to work with diverse groups of people, and I’m running for city council because I’m ready to bring Eugenians together to address our most pressing concerns.”

Chris Wig believes our city’s concerns, such as housing, homelessness, drug addiction and police accountability, require new solutions. He will build coalitions of Eugenians to create a safer, healthier and more prosperous city.

“Time and time again, I’ve seen Chris stand up for our shared progressive values. He will be an effective voice on the city council, and I’ll be encouraging my neighbors to support him,” said Sloan Heermance, an author and retired teacher who lives on College Hill.

Through his successful leadership of the Lane County Democrats, Wig has also earned the support of elected leaders, including Oregon Labor Commissioner Brad Avakian. “Democrats in Lane County have achieved tremendous success under Chris’ leadership. He’s a rising star, and Eugene would be very lucky to have him on the city council,” Avakian said.

Chris Wig has lived in Ward 1 since moving to Eugene to earn his master’s degree at the University of Oregon School of Journalism and Communication. He is employed as a drug and alcohol counselor at Emergence Addiction and Behavioral Therapies, where he works with clients from the Lane County Drug Court and Veterans Court. Wig serves as Chair of the Democratic Party of Lane County, a member of the Eugene Civilian Review Board and a founding member of Grupo Latino de Acción Directa—Lane County’s premier Latino community action group.

To date, Wig has raised almost $4,500 in contributions, according to the Oregon Secretary of State’s website.

Eugene City Ward 1 encompasses portions of the Downtown, Jefferson-Westside, Friendly Street, and Far West neighborhoods.

For more information visit www.facebook.com/friendsofchriswig or call 357-7095.

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