The Oregonian came out in favor of five Democratic candidates running in districts in or around the Portland area Friday.

The most notable endorsement went to HD-51 candidate Brent Barton (D-Clackamas) who is running against incumbent Rep. Linda Flores (R-Clackamas), a three-term representative. The paper was strongly critical of Flores; they questioned her accomplishments as they gave the nod to Barton.

“Linda Flores remains a politician of strong convictions,” the editorial board wrote. “She's also still a textbook example of how little can be accomplished by an ideologue in a legislative career. Since being elected to represent the Clackamas area in 2002, Flores has served on the House Judiciary, Health Care, Education, Water, Government Operations & Oversight and Rules & Public Affairs committees. Amid all this, we cannot find a signal significant legislative achievement. Neither can she. This is a classic opportunity for addition by subtraction. The Oregon House will simply be a better place once Flores is gone. ”

"Fortunately for district voters, help is at hand. Democrat Brent Barton collected both bachelor's and master's degrees at Stanford, then studied at Cambridge before graduating from Harvard Law School. He has worked tirelessly getting to know the district -- he's knocked on 10,000 doors -- and has innovative ideas on critical issues from health care to transportation."

The paper also came out in favor of Jules Kopel-Bailey (D-Portland) in HD-42, and Michael Dembrow (D-Portland) in HD-45. Both are facing third party candidates in their campaigns.

Finally, the Oregonian urged voters to re-elect Rep. Mitch Greenlick (D-Portland) for his fourth term in HD-33, and Rep. Carolyn Tomei (D-Milwaukie) in HD-41 to her fifth term.

Read the entire endorsement here.