Electing Our Recording Secretary
The nominations are in! With the application period now closed, we are pleased to introduce the three Democrats who have stepped forward as candidates for Recording Secretary.
What does this role involve? The Recording Secretary is responsible for keeping minutes, maintaining our official archives, and ensuring the business of the party is documented and accessible.
Your vote matters! All PCPs, both elected and appointed, have the power to choose our new Recording Secretary at our special Central Committee meeting on Wednesday, May 14, 2026 at 7:00 PM via Zoom. (From our bylaws: "Both elected and appointed PCPs are eligible to vote to fill an officer vacancy." ORS 245.035(3))
Please note: nominations from the floor will not be accepted. Only the candidates listed below are eligible.
Ready to participate? Register now for the Zoom meeting and make your voice heard.
> Register for the May 14 Central Committee Zoom meeting
This page was updated May 5, 2026: This page has been updated to reflect the Officers' determination that a third candidate, Sayed Sadat of HD 50, meets all eligibility requirements and is eligible to appear on the ballot.
Meet the Candidates
Michael Smith, HD46
My name is Michael Smith. These last nine years, I have had the honor of serving the Multnomah Democrats as a PCP, SCC Delegate, Technology Officer, 2nd Vice Chair, Rules Chair, and Assistant DL. Now, I’m asking for your vote for Recording Secretary.
I believe I am well-suited to this role for three reasons.
First: the Recording Secretary keeps track of our documents. As an IT professional and your former Tech Officer I am familiar with the tools we use to maintain and archive those documents.
Second: the Recording Secretary keeps minutes of our meetings. I have ample experience keeping those minutes from my time as Rules Chair and as DPO Caucus Chair.
Third: the Recording Secretary has an unlisted but crucial duty as an Officer of the Party to work with their fellow officers to administer the Party. As a former Officer I can be a voice of experience in support of our mission.
I believe that Black Lives Matter, Trans Lives Matter, Immigrant Lives Matter, science matters, abortion is health care, vaccines work, and that we need stronger unions, Health Care for All Oregon, evidence-based solutions to gun violence, and to tax the Hell out of the rich.
You can find out more about me at my website: MikeSmithForOregon.com. You can also email me at mike@mikesmithfororegon.com.
Sayed Sadat, HD 50
I am running for Precinct Committee Person to serve my community with dedication, integrity, and a strong commitment to inclusion. As someone who works closely with diverse communities, including refugees and newcomers, I understand the challenges many families face when accessing employment, education, and essential services.
My goal is to ensure that every voice in our community is heard and represented. I am passionate about supporting working families, promoting equal opportunities, and strengthening connections between local government and the people it serves. I believe in practical solutions, community engagement, and building trust through transparency and accountability.
Through my professional experience supporting individuals in achieving self-sufficiency, I have developed strong communication, problem-solving, and leadership skills. I am committed to using these skills to advocate for policies that improve quality of life and create opportunities for all.
I respectfully ask for your support so I can represent our precinct and work toward a stronger, more inclusive community.
Note from Comms Officer: This statement is as submitted for Recording Secretary.
Seth A. Petrarca, HD 45
Communication is quintessential to the good functioning of any organization. What the Multnomah Democrats need is someone who can keep the disparate parts of our organization well informed and actively connected. I've been in an active role in Southeast Portland for the last five years. Community action, organizing and activism are integral to my mission: driving well needed change in my community. During those years I have sharpened my interpersonal skills greatly. This experience helps to make me an excellent candidate to be our next Recording Secretary.
Being a Party Officer
The Officer positions make up the Administration Committee of the Multnomah Democrats. These officers conduct the day-to-day business of the party and undertake urgent business as necessary. The Administration Committee has very limited powers. Under Oregon law, the governing body of the party is the Central Committee (PCPs).
Officers do administrative work. It is the day-to-day work and clerical work that makes the party function. A constant stream of volunteers must be recruited so that work can be delegated. Some officers form work-group committees, and some officers have regular volunteers they rely on to complete certain tasks. This can be fun, but remember, volunteers often have limited time. Ultimately, if someone else doesn’t do the work, it falls upon your shoulders. As an officer, you need to make a serious time commitment.
Officers meet regularly, collaborating to develop overall vision and priorities for the Party, always with the advice and consent of the governing PCPs.
The workload can be heavy because the work needs to be done to keep the party operating. Having the skill set appropriate to the position and being able to engage in teamwork with fellow officers is key. If someone is unable or unwilling to fulfill their elected office, one or more of the other officers will have to do it for them instead. Be sure you are willing to take on the work and time commitments of an officer position.
For more information
- See the formal requirements of each position in the Bylaws of the Multnomah Democrats.