"Keeping Oregon a great place to live starts locally. That's why OLCV will be working hard in 2008 to make sure candidates who will work to protect Oregon's air, water and natural beauty get elected in key local county commission and city council races around the state," Communications Director Tresa Horney said.

Legislators who earned 100 percent on the 2007 Environmental Scorecard for Oregon's Legislature and are running for re-election in their current seat receive an automatic endorsement from OLCV.

The following candidates have received early endorsements:

Jackie Dingfelder for State Senate District 23
Diane Rosenbaum for State Senate District 21
Ben Cannon for State Rep. District 46
Nick Kahl for State Rep. District 49
Robert Liberty for Metro Council

Interested in finding out more about OLCV and how you can get involved locally? Join Marion County Progress[ive] Happy Hour on January 30 at McMenamin's Thompson Brewery from 6 - 8 p.m.

This gathering offers a social environment to discuss the environmental issues that face Marion County.

Other OLCV-sponsored events include the Election Year Kickoff and release of the 2006-07 Lane County Commission and City Council Scorecard on February 23 at DIVA, 110 Broadway in Eugene from 7 - 9 p.m. The 2008 Clackamas County Campaign Kickoff will be held on February 27 at Black Point Inn in Oregon City from 6 - 8 p.m. To RSVP for either event call (503) 224-4011.

For other events and information visit olcv.org