Mel Rader, executive director of Upstream Public Health, a Portland nonprofit, today entered the race for the Multnomah County Commission seat being vacated by Commissioner Jules Bailey, who is running for mayor.

Upstream Public Health advocates against tobacco and for better nutrition and fluoride, all of which are areas that overlap with the county health department’s activities.

Upstream was a leader in the movement to fluoridate Portland’s water in 2013, contributing more than $100,000 to the “yes” campaign. Voters trounced the measure.

Rader will face Eric Zimmerman (chief of staff to Commissioner Diane McKeel), Dr. Sharon Meieran, and businessman Brian Wilson, who ran against Bailey in 2014. All have already declared their candidacies.

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