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.

Incumbent Deb Patterson had a rocky start in Senate District 10, barely defeating Denyc Boles, the incumbent, in a recount in 2020. Patterson previously lost to Jackie Winters. Now she faces Representative Raquel Moore-Green after the redistricting put her in Senate District 10. The voters in parts of Marion and Polk counties have two candidates with voting records to give a clear indication on how they stand.

Moore-Green is a small business owner and served her community as a member of the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce, the Latino Business Alliance, Union Gospel Mission, and the Salem Police Foundation to name a few. Her goal is to bring balance to the senate and ensure legislation that will improve educational standards, support law enforcement, and reduce the tax and regulation burdens placed on our businesses. She is running for the Republican and Libertarian parties.

Deb Patterson earned a master's degree in music, and in health administration from Washington University School of Medicine, and a master's degree and doctorate from Eden Theological Seminary. Her experience includes working as a healthcare administrator and executive director, and the executive director of Northwest Parish Ministries. She has served as a member of the Salem Rotary Club, Healthcare for All Oregon, and SEIU 503. She is running for the Democrat and Independent parties.

Moore-Green believes in accountability, and wants to ensure that future Governors will not have the ability to exclude the legislature’s active participation during states of emergency. Oregon has forced legislative fiscal accountability by passing the tax kicker, which refunds excess forecasted funds to taxpayers. Moore-Green voted not to lower the kicker by rewriting prior budgets to reduce the amount of the kicker. Patterson voted to reduce the kicker, voting for SB 846.

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Moore-Green believes public safety means funding of law enforcement and supporting services to address mental health issues, alcohol abuse and drug addiction, as well as provide job skill training. She voted against HB 3265 restricting law enforcement and courts from inquiring about immigration status, and voted against SB 554, that locks up firearms to make them inaccessible.

Patterson supports common sense gun safety laws like universal background checks and safe storage voting for SB 554, which makes it virtually impossible to defend yourself from murderers and criminals. She also voted to restrict law enforcement and courts from asking about immigration status.

Moore-Green says, “Our students deserve to compete nationally, but Oregon’s recent lower graduation standards fail to equip them for the real world. We need comprehensive education that’s rigorous, transparent, and inclusive of parental input.” She voted against eliminating the essential skills test for a high school diploma (SB 744), and voted against HB 2166 enacting a social emotional learning framework establishing an early childhood suspension prevention program.

Patterson says, “I know that we must do more to give our children a head start, to support strong community schools that respect and reflect the diversity of Oregon and to make college and vocational training more accessible for everyone.” She voted in support of eliminating the essential skills test for a high school diploma (SB 744), and voted for HB 2166 enacting a social emotional learning framework establishing an early childhood suspension prevention program.

Moore-Green wants greater access to patient care and wants to see local county initiatives promoting healthy diets, exercise and lifestyle choices. She voted against HB 3057, vaccine mandates for attending school, work or travel. She says she values life and voted to require ‘care of life’ if a child is born alive after attempted abortion.

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Patterson says, “I support access to the full spectrum of reproductive healthcare…I opposed legislation that infringed on one’s right to choose and will continue to stand up for reproductive rights for everyone.” Except when it comes to mandating vaccines, she voted for HB 3057 mandating vaccination for attending school, work or travel. She also voted against requiring ‘care of life’ if a child is born alive after attempted abortion.

Patterson supported legislation to bring Oregon to 100% clean energy by 2040 voting for HB 2021 that has no structure to insure adequate power. “We can build a clean energy economy that protects our environment and invests in our workers and our economy and we must start now,” Patterson said. She also voted for HB 2290, to spend taxpayer dollars installing public electric vehicle charging stations, and HB 2165 establishing a rebate program for electric vehicles.

Moore-Green says “we must protect our small/private farms, fisheries, and dairies from continued regulation. They are excellent stewards of their resources – providing jobs, food, and services for nearly 4 million Oregonians.” She voted against bills intending to convert to electric vehicles, and voted against reducing emissions 100% below baseline emissions by 2040, with no structure to insure adequate power.


--Donna Bleiler

Post Date: 2022-10-07 06:17:13

Last Update: 2022-10-05 10:57:27