Editor's note: Oregon Abigail Adams Voter Education Project equips voters with information on how candidates stand on issues through a questionnaire process featured in comparison guides.

Candidate Joanna Harbour is making her second run against incumbent Earl Blumenauer for U.S. Congressional District 3. In a very Democrat district, Blumenauer covers his bases with two websites, one significantly more “radical” than the other, labeled “Earl Radically Effective Blumenauer.” Harbour garnered about one-third the votes that Blumenauer received in 2020 matching the percentage of register Republican voters to Democrat. Since then, this Portland district lost 108,145 voters – 23% were Democrat, 19% Republican and 0.09% Nonaffiliate. Nonaffiliates make up 33% of total voters – not the highest bracket for registered voters, but could pose a threat. Harbour testified at the Redistricting Hearing in defense of rural portions of District 3 being significantly out number and unfair to them.

Congressman Blumenauer is an original co-sponsor and co-author of the Green New Deal. He has authored and supported many policies that could accomplish Green New Deal goals and, since its introduction, has been working to make the Green New Deal vision a reality, including fighting to reduce dependence on fossil fuels, increase wilderness lands and supporting Agenda 2030.

Harbour does not support the Green New Deal or Agenda 2030 and further says we need energy independence, to balance the budget, get out of debt, bring down inflation, prioritize water to our farmers and ranchers, and fix our supply lines.

Harbour wants to end the practice of “let it burn” forest management that has allowed forest fires to go unchecked threatening the lives of our citizens, their livestock and land, and to open up the national forest land to logging and other practices that reduce the risk of forest fires while maintaining the forest for everyone to enjoy for generations to come. Her vision is to bring back Oregon’s forests to local control.

When you look at what is happening in Portland spreading to other parts of the state, security is what voters are looking for. Harbour says crime and homelessness should be resolved at a local level, but she would help to bring federal funding and other resources to curb criminal activity. She received a 69% rating from Oregon Firearms Federation and 92% by NRA. She supports border security to prevent illegal aliens, illegal drugs, and sex and human trafficking from entering the U.S. Her position on border security is to immediately return those who cross illegally to their country of origin. She supports requiring proof that immigration laws are being enforced before considering amnesty laws. “There are several steps that would need to be completed before citizenship is an option.”

Congressman Blumenauer released a statement against border security measures and says a wall is not necessary, and fights for amnesty in the DACA program. He sees security through the lens of partnering with those who serve the global community. His answer to violence is universal background checks, banning high-capacity magazines and assault weapons, and allow health care providers to discuss gun ownership with patients. He thinks illegal drugs should be legalize by developing a legislative framework that accounts for the inevitable transition of marijuana policy that is already well under way.

Harbour said, “I am running to bring common sense and actual citizen representation back to this district.” An advocate for the Second Amendment, term limits, Right-to-Life, religious freedom, and a supporter of the Constitution makes her a clear contrast to incumbent Blumenauer.

Blumenauer is a strong advocate for human rights and democracy (verses a republic). He views gun violence as a crisis that threatens the well-being and peace of mind of urban and rural communities that needs addressing. He has regularly led the charge to close down the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

Blumenauer co-chairs a Congressional Neuroscience Caucus to build awareness of the intrinsic role brain research plays in understanding ourselves and our society, and promote changes in federal policies to support neuroscience research. Is that code for mind control?

Harbour advocates for medical freedom, school choice with money following the student, resources for mental illness and drug addictions causing homelessness. She also believes congress should have the same retirement and health coverages as private citizens. She wants to make the tax cuts permanent.


--Staff Reports

Post Date: 2022-09-10 06:08:57

Last Update: 2022-09-09 12:55:17