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.

When Peter DeFazio announced his retirement from Congressional District 4, it opened the door to a new slate of candidates. Val Hoyle, Oregon’s Labor Commissioner, hopes to fill in where DeFazio left off. But she faces a stiff challenger in Alek Skarlatos. Skarlatos first ran in 2020 and made a good dent in DeFazio’s base.

Alek Skarlatos lives the American dream. He went from local Roseburg boy to Oregon National Guardsman to international hero that catapult him into politics. Skarlatos’ strong belief in service to his community won him the Republican nomination. He advocates for responsible forest management in Southern Oregon and supports the bipartisan trillion trees initiative to plant more trees to reduce carbon from our air. He wants to reduce wasteful spending and policies that are causing inflation. He says, “We need legislation that finds the balance of protecting our environment, while also using our natural resources, so we can lower the price of gas and become less dependent on foreign energy.” He stands for strong law enforcement, and wants to prevent unions from running our schools to allow parents and teachers to do what is best for students.

Val Hoyle grew up in a family with union roots for three generations that she used in the outdoor industry for 25 years focusing on retail sales and international trade. As Labor Commissioner, her focus is on settlements for victims of discrimination and is tough on employers who exploit their workers and compete unfairly with responsible businesses.

During Hoyle’s tenure as House Majority Leader, she takes credit for Oregon having one of the highest minimum wage laws in the nation, mandating paid sick leave, expanding Oregon’s clean fuels program to reduce carbon emissions, requiring universal background checks for firearm purchases, and passage of “Motor Voter” law. Her priority is to take all these to the federal level.

A D V E R T I S E M E N T

A D V E R T I S E M E N T

Hoyle’s wants to move America to a 100% clean electricity standard, fight for major investments in new public housing in hard hit communities, increase the federal minimum wage, universal preschool, passage of the PRO Act to make it easier for workers to form unions, and provide universal health care for all. She wants to pass the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, which would restore provisions the Supreme Court ruled unconstitutional and give federal authority over state elections.

Scarlatos is hoping his reputation and enthusiasm will connect with voters looking for relief. He states, “I’m running for Congress to provide balance to some of the crazy policies and fight inflation, support economic initiatives that will create good paying jobs, along with solutions to reduce the cost of healthcare and drug prices. As a veteran, I have always put our country first, and will work with anyone who shares my vision to improve the lives of hard-working families in Western Oregon and the coast.”

Also nominated for Congressional District 4 are:

Jim Howard of the Constitution Party, former Dean and professor at Bushnell University and school superintendent in North Bend, McKenzie and Pleasant Hill. He received his Masters in Education at UofO.

Levi Leatherberry of the Independent Party, a farmer and International Development Programmer. He received his Masters in Global Governance from University College London, and Bachelors in Political Science from University of Hawaii at Hilo.

Mike Beilstein representing the Pacific Green and Progressive Parties is a retired research chemist. He received his Masters in Human Nutrition from OSU. Beilstein has responded to the Oregon Abigail Adams Voter Project and agrees with most of Hoyle’s Democrat positions.

Five candidates are competing to represent the southern half of Oregon’s coastal counties, including Coos, Curry, Douglas, Lane and Benton counties and most of Linn and Josephine counties. It is centered around two state college towns, Eugene and Corvallis.


--Donna Bleiler

Post Date: 2022-09-16 12:11:23

Last Update: 2022-09-16 13:05:17