Lemelson creates Oregon Climate PAC

Rather than doling out large checks from his personal (and quite large) bank account to various political candidates, liberal winemaker and philanthropist Eric Lemelson has become more politically sophisticated by creating the Oregon Climate PAC. Its declared intent is to support or oppose “issues that impact Oregon’s climate” or possibly to keep his name and address off of multiple candidate and ballot measure C&E reports.

So far the only beneficiaries are current Democratic House candidates Brent Barton, Jackie Dingfelder, Nick Kahl and Jules Kopel-Bailey. All but Barton currently face hotly contested Democratic primary campaigns. The PAC’s largest expenditure goes to Democratic pittbull strategist Mark Wiener of Winning Mark who has multiple statewide and legislative clients.

Below are other Democratic/Liberal campaign recipients from Lemelson's personal account this election cycle:

Yes on 49 $1,025,000

Yes on Healthy Kids $50,000

Kate Brown $30,000

OLCV $30,000

Jules Kopel-Bailey $10,000

Ben Cannon $2,500

Nick Kahl $2,500

Kris Bledsoe $2,000

Lynn Peterson $1,000

Greg Macpherson $1,000

Jackie Dingfelder $764

Jim Gilbert $250