Social justice

The Oregon Government Ethics Commission voted 8-0 to open a full investigation into state Rep. Lamar Wise, D-Portland, after a complaint alleged he failed to disclose $25,000 in stipend income from Seeding Justice, a Portland-based social justice nonprofit, on his 2026 statement of economic interest.

Seeding Justice has administered state funds, including a $15 million fund to protect abortion access and a climate protection allocation it later withdrew from. A commission investigator said Wise's omission likely did not cross the 10% household-income disclosure threshold, but he appears to have violated a separate requirement to list organizations with potential legislative or administrative interest in his role.

Wise said he has amended his disclosure form and is cooperating with investigators, who he said recommended only a letter of education to close the case. He was appointed to the legislature in November 2025, succeeding the late Rep. Hòa Nguyễn, and faces Republican Andrew Morrison in next month's election for the seat.

LeRoy Chatfield, a lifelong advocate for marginalized communities, died of natural causes on September 15 at age 92. A former member of the Congregation of Christian Brothers who taught for free in poor California communities, he left the order at 31 to join César Chávez's effort to organize farmworkers, becoming a key figure in building the United Farm Workers' early infrastructure, including its first medical plan and initial headquarters in Delano. He left the UFW in 1973.

Chatfield later managed Jerry Brown's gubernatorial campaign and became the first director of Brown's California Conservation Corps, opening 18 centers in its first year and a half. He went on to advocate for Sacramento's homeless population and, in his later years, built what is considered the definitive digital archive of the UFW's early history, eventually acquired by UC San Diego. His death comes months after allegations surfaced that Chávez had sexually abused women within the movement; friends and family say those allegations do not diminish Chatfield's own legacy of service. He is survived by his wife, five daughters and 10 grandchildren.