Northwest Sportfishing Industry Association Endorses Kitzhaber

Portland, OR – The Northwest Sportfishing Industry Association (NSIA) PAC has endorsed John Kitzhaber for Governor.

“John Kitzhaber has had a lifelong love of the great outdoors and Oregon’s natural heritage,” said NSIA Executive Director Liz Hamilton. “As Governor, he championed tough new protections for Oregon’s forests, salmon and clean water and he always worked to protect Oregon’s environment while strengthening its economy. He is also a passionate fisherman.”

The Northwest Sportfishing Industry Association announced its endorsement of Kitzhaber with a NSIAPAC fundraiser, followed by a walk-through at the Pacific N.W. Sportsmen’s Show on February 11th. With about 100 sportfishing industry leaders in attendance Kitzhaber fielded questions from the audience on a range of Sportfishing and business-related subjects. Dan Grogan, President of Fisherman’s Marine & Outdoor observed, “Governor Kitzhaber understands our industry and the challenges ahead. We liked him when he was in office and we’re looking forward to having him back.”

Trey Carskadon, Government Affairs Director for the N.W. Sportfishing Industry Association closed the event by saying, “This is an unprecedented move for our industry - providing this level of support this early in the campaign. We trust his leadership, good sense and collaborative approach to problem-solving. He was a great Governor and we’re anxious to welcome him back.”

The Northwest Sportfishing Industry Association was founded in 1993 by a collection of sport fishing industry business leaders who understood the need for a strong voice in the local, state, regional and federal governments. NSIA is not a sports club but an industry group representing the business interests of the many members that depend on the sport of fishing for their livelihoods.

NSIA joins a broad coalition of Kitzhaber endorsers that already includes Oregon Small Business for Responsible Leadership, the Oregon State Building and Construction Trades Council , the Oregon State Firefighters Council , the Intl. Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 48, and the United Food and Commercial Worker Local 555. His campaign boasts the support of over 100 current and former elected officials in Oregon, and leads all Democratic candidates in money raised and cash on hand.

John Kitzhaber is a former two-term Governor of Oregon. An emergency room physician from Roseburg by trade, he has also served in the Oregon House of Representatives and as the Oregon Senate President. In his career he enacted many progressive reforms, including the Oregon Health Plan, the Oregon Education Act for the 21st Century, the Oregon Children's Plan, and the Oregon Salmon Plan. Since leaving office in 2002, he has continued to work on health care reform, natural resource issues and energy policy, leading several nonprofit foundations and boards.