Embattled House candidate La Bell pulls out of race

(Update: Name to stay on ballot as deadline has passed)

One day after word of a false Voters’ Pamphlet statement led to a state elections complaint and the loss of Gov. Kate Brown and Sen. Jeff Merkley’s endorsement, House District 54 candidate Amanda La Bell has notified the Oregon Working Families Party of her decision to end her campaign, the party announced Wednesday.

But since the deadline for changes passed Aug. 31, La Bell’s name will remain on the Bend House district ballots to be mailed out next month.

Here’s the rest of the Wednesday afternoon party announcement:

“The Oregon Working Families Party fully supports this decision.

“As a party, we believe that when a candidate no longer has the trust of their community, they should withdraw their candidacy. It is this belief that compelled us to enter the race for House District 54, and it is this same belief that compels us to support Amanda in stepping out.

“The Oregon Working Families Party fights for an Oregon that works for all of us. That means fighting for health care for all, living wage jobs, and housing for everyone. We work to elect leaders that represent a working class view often missing in our government, and this is why we were supportive of Amanda’s candidacy. However, a candidate must have the full trust of their community to lead effectively. We are supportive of Amanda in putting the needs of her community first by suspending her campaign.

“The Oregon Working Families Party stepped into this race at the request of Bend community members who were left without an opportunity to vote for a candidate they believed in. Before nominating Amanda, we subjected her to the full vetting process that all candidates receive before they are nominated.

“Unfortunately, she was not fully forthcoming in this process and neglected to share the information that was released to the public this week.

“We are sorry that Bend voters will no longer have an opportunity to vote for a State Representative who can effectively fight for issues impacting Oregon’s working families. We are so grateful to the Bend residents who trusted us with this effort, and, above all, we are unwavering in our commitment to fighting hand-in-hand with the community for a Bend that works for all of us.”

That leaves two candidates in the race: Republican Cheri Helt and Democrat Nathan Boddie. Boddie lost the support of Democratic leaders and fundraisers amid allegations of sexual misconduct that he denied.