What will the 2024 presidential ballot look like?
Donald Trump vs. Joe Biden
Donald Trump vs. some Democrat other than Joe Biden
Some Republican other than Donald Trump vs. Joe Biden
Some Republican other than Donald Trump vs. some Democrat other than Joe Biden
Northwest Observer
Subscribe for Free Email Updates
Name:
Email:
Search Articles
       






On this day, March 28, 1942, Japanese-American lawyer Minoru Yasui (1916-1986) violated a military curfew in Portland, Oregon, and demanded to be arrested after he was refused enlistment to fight for the US. He was one of the few Japanese Americans who fought laws that directly targeted Japanese Americans or Japanese immigrants following the bombing of Pearl Harbor. In 2015 he was among 17 people awarded the presidential Medal of Freedom.

Also on this day March 28, 1939, the front page of the Eugene Register-Guard blared the headline: "Mighty Oregon Scramble Ohio State to Take Hoop Title of All America," right under a declaration that the Spanish War had ended, of course.




Post an Event


Hood River County GOP's Second Annual Lincoln Dinner
Saturday, April 6, 2024 at 5:00 pm
Hood River County GOP's Second Annual Lincoln Dinner 5pm-9pm
Hood River, OR



Dorchester Conference 2024
Friday, April 26, 2024 at 5:00 pm
Dorchester Conference 2024 April 26th-28th
Welches, Oregon



Memorial Day
Monday, May 27, 2024 at 11:00 am
Memorial Day
A federal holiday in the United States for honoring and mourning the U.S. military personnel who died while serving.



Juneteenth
Wednesday, June 19, 2024 at 12:00 am
Juneteenth
Celebrated on the anniversary of June 19, 1865, when in the wake of the American Civil War, Major General Gordon Granger ordered the final enforcement of the Emancipation Proclamation in Texas.



Independence Day
Thursday, July 4, 2024 at 11:59 pm
Independence Day
USA



Linn Laughs LIVE with Adam Corolla
Saturday, September 7, 2024 at 5:00 pm
Linn Laughs LIVE with Adam Corolla 5pm-9pm
Albany, OR


View All Calendar Events


Candidate Comparison: Gulstrom v. Sollman
House District 30 includes Hillsboro and North Plains

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 for House District 30 Darrell Gulstrom is challenging incumbent Janeen Sollman, her 3rd run to represent portions of Washington County.

Three major issues to Oregon voters are the economy, safety and education. Sollman voted to increase taxes and fees including cap and trade, corporate gross receipts tax, and reduce the kicker. She helped sponsor a prohibition on hydraulic fracturing for oil and gas exploration and production. Gulstrom indicates he would vote no on these issues and says he “believes in Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.”

Sollman helped sponsor the bill that nullified Measure 88 passed by voters allowing undocumented driver’s license and she helped sponsor a bill that requires no proof of citizenship to obtain a driver’s license. Voted to require employers to notify employees of ICE investigations, and prevent courts from asking immigration status and notifying ICE. Gulstrom served in the US Air Force until 1982. He would vote no and support voters. He also supports the work of ICE.

In the area of education, Sollman voted to include in all curriculum’s contributions from every minority group such as immigrants, LGBTQ, disabled and women. She voted against mandated vaccination with no exceptions and ban those from schools that don’t comply. Gulstrom also would vote against forced vaccinations and would vote against curriculum mandates to include minority group contributions. He served on the Hillsboro school board as an activist for conservative causes.



--Donna Bleiler

Post Date: 2020-10-26 07:31:58Last Update: 2020-10-25 13:46:44



Candidate Comparison: Nelson vs. Schouten
House District 27 is the Beaverton area

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 for House District 27 Sandra Nelson is challenging incumbent Sheri Schouten, her 3rd run to represent a portion of Washington County.

Three major issues to Oregon voters are the economy, safety and education. Schouten voted to increase taxes and fees including cap and trade, corporate gross receipts tax, and reduce the kicker. She was a sponsor to prohibit hydraulic fracturing for oil and gas exploration and production. Nelson indicates she would vote no on these issues and is for “government reduction of taxes, red rape, regulations, and overly restrictive land us laws nearly always increases the availability of jobs and affordable homes.”

Schouten signed a letter to US Attorney General William Barr demanding “immediate withdrawal of federal operatives from the City of Portland.” She helped sponsor the bill that nullified Measure 88 passed by voters allowing undocumented driver’s license and she helped sponsor a bill that requires no proof of citizenship to obtain a driver’s license. Voted to require employers to notify employees of ICE investigations, and prevent courts from asking immigration status and notifying ICE. Nelson would vote no and support voters, and would not vote to reduce the effectiveness of ICE for protection.

In the area of education, Schouten voted to include in all curriculum’s contributions from every minority group such as immigrants, LGBTQ, disabled and women. She voted to require mandated vaccination with no exceptions and ban those from schools that don’t comply. Nelson does not endorse a curriculum that mandates minority groups contribute nor mandated vaccinations.



--Donna Bleiler

Post Date: 2020-10-25 13:15:59Last Update: 2020-10-25 13:31:58



Candidate Comparison: Read vs. Gudman
Oregon State Treasurer

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.

The Oregon State Treasurer is an elected constitutional officer within the executive branch of the Oregon state government. Incumbent Tobias Read (D, WF) is challenged by Jeff Gudman (R), Chris Henry (P, PG, I), and Michael P. Marsh (C).

The Office of the State Treasurer is the state's financial services hub and oversees a range of financial responsibilities, including managing the investment of state funds, issuing state bonds, serving as the central bank for state agencies and administering the Oregon 529 Savings Network and Oregon Retirement Savings Plan. More than any other state position, background and training are important to competency for handling billions of our dollars.

Read received a Master’s degree from University of Washington in Business Administration. He says his priority has been to help employees save for retirement by sponsoring the OregonSaves bill. It provides every worker the option of saving for retirement in a state invested account instead of an individual 401(k). Fourth on his list is a strong financial plan. “Our roads, bridges, and schools need critical investment.” Read led the creation of the Oregon Sustainable Bond Program, which will help fund affordable housing development. He also worked to reduce Oregon’s reliance on expensive out-of-state investment bankers, saving millions in unnecessary costs for state and local governments.

Gudman received a Master’s degree from Wharton School at University of Pennsylvania in Finance and Management. He works as an investor and prior financial analyst. His time on the Lake Oswego City Council he claims is the kind of leadership the state needs. “We dramatically reduced our unfunded liability for road maintenance, rebuilt our operations and maintenance center, and rebuilt city hall and the police station – all without asking for an extra dime from our residents. Oregon can do more with the revenue that we already have – without raising anyone’s taxes.” Gudman says his experience sets him apart, “How we manage our finances determines what we can afford: roads, schools, bridges – even PERS. As an experienced treasurer and analyst, I can offer reliable management of our state’s finances to help put our state back on strong financial footing.”

Chris Henry won the nomination of the Independent, Progressive and Pacific Green Parties with 16 years as a Union Truck Driver. Prior to that he was a aircraft mechanic. He graduated from Portland State University in Communications/Civic leadership. Henry wants to stop Wall Street rip-off and “strongly support the formation of a Public Bank for the state of Oregon. Such a Public Bank would be operated as a public utility for the benefit of, not Wall Street bankers, all the citizens of Oregon. Such a bank would use the financial resources already present in the state for capitalization and then use those funds to support public benefit programs such as low interest student loans, or funding of much needed infrastructure renovations.” He also supports creating a post-carbon economy by de-constructing the fossil fuel infrastructure of asphalt streets by turning streets into community gardens.

Michael P Marsh won the nomination of the Constitution Party a retired with maintenance experience. He graduated from Lahabra High School is the only education listed.

Who do you want handling billions of taxpayer funds?


--Donna Bleiler

Post Date: 2020-10-12 23:30:41Last Update: 2020-10-12 23:35:26



Candidate Comparison: Cross vs. Rosenblum
Clear policy distinction in race for Attorney General

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.

In the past three years, Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum has joined or filed suits against the Trump administration dozens of times. The question all Oregonians should be asking is at what expense. One of the suits is against the Trump administration over a rule allowing 3D-printed gun files to be released on the internet, which would give anyone with access to a 3D printer the ability to create a weapon. The ultimate issue is how far does free speech go when posting any information on the internet.

Michael Cross is clear on his Oregon Abigail Adams survey that “by shifting focus of time and money to litigate a President’s policies, what local issues are encroaching on Oregonians Rights? … The things that really impact every day Oregonians need to be addressed IMMEDIATELY. Rosenblum's defense is that the President is violating the constitution. If THAT is paramount on her mind, then why is she appealing circuit court judge's rulings for a NEW TRIAL for people WRONGFULLY CONVICTED of murder?”

Rosenblum’s website identifies her as “a staunch advocate for common sense gun policy, testifying in favor of legislation to more closely regulate the sale and ownership of firearms.” Interpretation, she supports locking your guns in transit or safe storage at home when not legally carried, eliminating any crisis-use of the weapon.

Cross backs police against defunding. “Law enforcement must be able to do their job safely. Oregonians should feel safe in their homes.”

Every session more gun control bills are introduced, no matter how many passed before and regardless of the lack of evidence that any previous law affected any crime rate. Universal background checks passed in Oregon in 2014, Rosenblum’s second year as AG, despite overwhelming opposition.

Rosenblum supports Oregon’s “red flag” law, which allows a relative, household member, or law enforcement officer to ask a court to remove guns from someone at risk of suicide or endangering others. The “Red flag law” passed in 2017, again under massive opposition and with a slimy move by holding a hearing and committee vote on short notice on Monday July 3, when everyone was away for the weekend and couldn’t show opposition. The next step is to end statewide preemption, which would allow local restrictions and thus make it difficult or impossible to conceal carry legally from county-to-county.

Cross doesn’t agree that courts provide sufficient review to confiscate guns and to error on the side of the defendant’s right to own a firearm. He supports the Second Amendment in that all American citizens have the right to keep and bear arms.

Rosenblum is so adamant on stronger background checks that she has a petition on her website to demand Congress pass universal background checks. She says, “Here in Oregon, I'm going to do my part and work to champion commonsense gun safety reforms. On the federal level, I will continue to push Congress to protect Americans from senseless gun violence.” We see her personal agenda in the dozens of law suits burdening Oregon taxpayer to fund.

The 50+% increase in gun sales indicates Oregonians are concerned about their safety.


--Staff Reports

Post Date: 2020-10-10 21:17:41



Candidate Comparison: Aldal vs. Holvey
House District 8 is Eugene and the rural areas to the West and South

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 for House District 8 Timothy Aldal is challenging incumbent Paul Holvey on his 9th run to represent a portion of Lane County.

Three major issues to Oregon voters are the economy, safety and education. Holvey, known as the Carpenters’ Union representative, voted to increase taxes and fees including cap and trade, corporate gross receipts tax, and reduce the kicker. In 2020 he voted in support of SB 1603 imposing up to 6% tax on cell phones to extend broadband services to rural areas in addition to federal grants. Aldal indicates he would vote no on these issues and states he would work to stop over taxing and the shifting of money into non-dedicated funds. He states, the CAT tax is a business killing bill that passes on the cost to consumers lowering the standard of living for all Oregonians. He would work to reduce and repeal taxes not used for the betterment of all Oregonians.

Hovey helped sponsor the bill that nullified Measure 88 passed by voters allowing undocumented driver’s license and he helped sponsor a bill that requires no proof of citizenship to obtain a driver’s license. Voted to require employers to notify employees of ICE investigations, and prevent courts from asking immigration status and notifying ICE. He also voted for firearms to be trigger-cable locked or in a locked container when not carried. In contrast, Aldal said he is pro-constitution, supports local law enforcement and pro-Second Amendment. He states locking firearms is an “infringement and a good way to get citizens killed when one is needed for protection.”

In the area of education and family, Hovey supported the bill to take a child into protective custody without a court order. He voted to include in all curriculum’s contributions from every minority group such as immigrants, LGBTQ, disabled and women. He voted to require mandated vaccination with no exceptions and ban those from schools that don’t comply. Aldal doesn’t support the curriculum bill and says it is vague and poorly written. He also says, “every parent/family should have the right to make their own decisions regarding their medical care based on their beliefs and faith.”



--Donna Bleiler

Post Date: 2020-10-02 19:26:50Last Update: 2020-10-02 19:46:23



Candidate Comparison: Clem vs. Esp
District 21 is the core of Salem

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 for House District 21 Jack Esp is challenging incumbent Brian Clem on his 8th run to represent a portion of Marion County.

Three major issues to Oregon voters are the economy, safety and education. Clem voted to increase taxes and fees including cap and trade, corporate gross receipts tax, and reduce the kicker. Esp indicates he would vote no on these issues and supports more in-depth study of problems “before throwing more money into the mix.”

Clem signed a letter to US Attorney General William Barr demanding “immediate withdrawal of federal operatives from the City of Portland.” He helped sponsor the bill that nullified Measure 88 passed by voters allowing undocumented driver’s license and he helped sponsor a bill that requires no proof of citizenship to obtain a driver’s license. Voted to require employers to notify employees of ICE investigations, and prevent courts from asking immigration status and notifying ICE. In 2020 he sponsored HB 4005 requiring firearms to be trigger-cable locked or in a locked container when not carried. Esp asks “what good is a locked self-defense firearm in an emergency?” He would vote no and support voters. He also thinks the courts and ICE are part of our legal system.

In the area of education, Clem voted to include in all curriculum’s contributions from every minority group such as immigrants, LGBTQ, disabled and women. He voted to require mandated vaccination with no exceptions and ban those from schools that don’t comply. Esp said forced vaccinations are “infringes on parental rights and religious freedom,” and would vote no on curriculum mandates to include minority group contribution on what he views as the left’s attempt to move education further left.



--Donna Bleiler

Post Date: 2020-09-30 11:45:18Last Update: 2020-09-30 11:49:07



Candidate Comparison: Lively vs. Linoz
House District 12 is Springfield

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 for House District 12 Ruth Linoz is challenging incumbent John Lively on his 5th run to represent a portion of Lane County.

Three major issues to Oregon voters are the economy, safety and education. Lively voted to increase taxes and fees including cap and trade, corporate gross receipts tax, and reduce the kicker. In 2020 he sponsored HB 4151 imposing a one-percent fee on electric bills and increases car sales tax to subsidize electric cars. Linoz indicates she would vote no on these issues and supports reducing taxes and regulations. She states, “Policies like Cap & Trade impose crippling costs and restrictions that harm small communities that have been declining for decades and doesn’t support the natural areas for logging that built this state’s economy.”

Lively helped sponsor the bill that nullified Measure 88 passed by voters allowing undocumented driver’s license and he helped sponsor a bill that requires no proof of citizenship to obtain a driver’s license. Voted to require employers to notify employees of ICE investigations, and prevent courts from asking immigration status and notifying ICE. In contrast, Linoz said she will “work to provide law enforcement with the support and tools that they need to do their jobs that make our neighborhoods safe places to live, work, play, shop and learn.”

In the area of education and family, Lively sponsored a bill to take a child into protective custody without a court order. He voted to include in all curriculum’s contributions from every minority group such as immigrants, LGBTQ, disabled and women. He voted to require mandated vaccination with no exceptions and ban those from schools that don’t comply. Linoz supports school choice and would like to see Common Core replaced. She believes gender identity instruction is not appropriate for grades K-3, and would not require mandated vaccinations to attend school.




--Donna Bleiler

Post Date: 2020-09-25 09:02:49Last Update: 2020-09-22 10:26:59



Candidate Comparison: Bonamici vs. Christensen
Oregon’s 1st Congressional District

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.

Republican candidate Christopher Christensen is running for Congressional District 1 against Democrat incumbent Suzanne Bonamici to represent Clatsop, Columbia, Washington, Yamhill and part of Multnomah Counties.

Bonamici is on a revived House select committee on climate change and has signed onto the Green New Deal introduced by Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, claiming 100% energy from a mix of “clean renewable and zero-emission energy sources” by 2030. “Climate change affects our entire economy and it’s more important than ever to develop a comprehensive national energy policy that shifts us toward a clean energy future,” she said. She wants comprehensive background checks, limit gun magazine sizes, and reinstate the ban on military style assault weapons, but claims while reducing gun violence, it must be constitutional and consistent with the Second Amendment. She also helped introduce the Justice in Policing Act of 2020 to transform police practices, limit use of force and stop transfer of military grade equipment to state and local law enforcement.

When you look at what is happening in Portland spreading violence to other parts of the state, Christensen says he is for “no universal background checks and no restrictions on the right to bear arms as outlined in the second amendment.” He states his passion for public policy are in his belief in our Constitution that should be honored, valued, and upheld. He would work for bipartisan solutions to infrastructure and transportation improvements in the region; build the Bridge; make America energy independent; lift people out of poverty, not enable it; choices in education; opposes the artificial creation of emissions trading platforms and cap & trade legislative policies; uphold the Second Amendment to the Constitution; uphold the legal immigration policies of these sovereign United States and advocate for strong border protection measures.

Who will best representative We The People?




--Donna Bleiler

Post Date: 2020-09-24 16:54:23Last Update: 2020-09-30 10:54:26



Candidate Comparison: Blumenauer vs. Harbour
Oregon’s Third Congressional District

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.

Three candidates for Congressional District 3 are running against Democrat incumbent Earl Blumenauer. Republican candidate Joanna Harbour, Libertarian Josh Solomon, and Alex DiBlasi of the Pacific Green party are all vying to represent the northern metro area taking in Portland and Gresham.

Rep. Blumenauer co-signed the Green New Deal introduced by Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, claiming 100% energy from a mix of “clean renewable and zero-emission energy sources” by 2030. “I am fighting for solutions to long-term issues like protecting and expanding Social Security and Medicare, making sure we’re ready for the jobs of the future, dealing with our housing crisis, and promoting a Green New Deal to combat the climate crisis.” He wants to abolish ICE, institute universal background checks, keep assault weapons and high capacity magazines out of public space, and make sure unscrupulous gun dealers are held accountable to the law.

When you look at what is happening in Portland spreading to other parts of the state, change is what voters are looking for. Habour, an attorney, believes in constitutional law and wants to correct issues with the justice system. She says she is “not a politician by the classic definition. I believe in keeping my promises and speaking the truth. I will not say whatever it takes to get elected.” She will fight to combat sex and human trafficking, find solutions for homelessness, make tax cuts permanent, find solutions to better forest management and supports Second Amendment rights and religious freedom. She believes in legal immigration, term limits and a balanced budget.

Solomon says, “to protect the liberty of the individual is to protect the liberty of our nation.” He wants to promote indigenous land management techniques including controlled burns, invest in alternative energy technologies, protect our First Amendment rights and prevent internet censorship, and end the wars in Syria and Afghanistan.

DiBlasi asked the Portland City Council to write a resolution creating a legal definition of “Sanctuary City” to protect immigrants from ICE. He supports establishing nationwide, locally run, civilian police oversight review boards to ensure justice is served against officers who abuse their authority. He supports his Green Party’s Green New Deal eliminating fossil fuels going to 100% renewable energy by 2030. Revitalize the economy through localization and infrastructure projects, create a Universal Basic Income program, reduce the military budget by 50%, and establish a Universal Healthcare program.

Who will make the best representative for We The People?




--Donna Bleiler

Post Date: 2020-09-23 08:56:16Last Update: 2020-09-30 10:55:18



Candidate Comparison: Witt vs. Stout
District 31 is mostly Columbia County

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 for House District 31 Brian Stout is challenging incumbent Brad Witt, his 9th run to represent Columbia and portions of Multnomah and Washington Counties.

Three major issues to Oregon voters are the economy, safety and education. Witt voted to increase taxes and fees including the corporate gross receipts tax, voted for a natural gas investment recovery fee, and to reduce the kicker. He voted against cap and trade, but supported a prohibition on hydraulic fracturing for oil and gas exploration and production. Stout said he would vote no on these issues and says as a business owner he “defends small businesses from unreasonable regulations and taxes.”

Witt voted to require employers to notify employees of ICE investigations, and prevent courts from asking immigration status and notifying ICE. He supported the bill to request Congress de-nuclearize the U.S. Stout said he would vote no and supports the work of ICE. He says, “we should enforce constitutional laws before forcing sanctuary status laws.”

In the area of education, Witt voted to include in all curriculum’s contributions from every minority group such as immigrants, LGBTQ, disabled and women. He voted for mandated vaccination with no exceptions and ban those from schools that don’t comply. Stout said he would vote against forced vaccinations and would vote against curriculum mandates to include minority group contributions.




--Donna Bleiler

Post Date: 2020-09-22 15:06:24Last Update: 2020-09-21 09:24:09



Candidate Comparison: Reardon vs. Marihart
District 48 is East Portland along I-205

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 for House District 48 Edward Marihart is challenging incumbent Jeff Reardon, his 5th run to represent portions of Clackamas and Multnomah Counties.

Three major issues to Oregon voters are the economy, safety and education. Reardon voted to increase taxes and fees including cap and trade, corporate gross receipts tax (CAT), and reduce the kicker. Voted against an agriculture necessities exemption from the CAT tax, and voted for the prohibition on hydraulic fracturing for oil and gas exploration and production. In the 2020 Special Session he voted for a 6% cell phone tax. Marihart indicates he would vote no on these issues and says he doesn’t support any “new tax and personal income tax should be reduced.”

Reardon’s idea of safety is to sign a letter to US Attorney General William Barr demanding “immediate withdrawal of federal operatives from the City of Portland.” He helped sponsor the bill that nullified Measure 88 passed by voters allowing undocumented driver’s license and he helped sponsor a bill that allows not requiring proof of citizenship to obtain a driver’s license. Voted to require employers to notify employees of ICE investigations, and prevent courts from asking immigration status and notifying ICE. Marihart would vote no and supports voters. He also supports the work of ICE and the courts.

In the area of education, Reardon voted to include contributions in all curricula from every minority group such as immigrants, LGBTQ, disabled and women. He voted for mandated vaccinations with no exceptions and to ban students from schools that don’t comply. Marihart would vote against forced vaccinations for private schools, and would vote against curriculum mandates to include minority group contributions. He supports local control and school choice.


--Donna Bleiler

Post Date: 2020-09-18 14:31:59Last Update: 2020-09-18 15:06:24



Candidate Comparison: Fagan vs. Thatcher
A lively race for Secretary of State

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.

Two candidates for Secretary of State, Kim Thatcher and Shemia Fagan, both have Senate records that can be compared to give an indication how they would function as Secretary of State and first in-line for Governor. As possible head of the state elections, Fagan sponsored the National Popular Vote Compact diminishing the value of Oregon’s votes, and sponsored the bill to eliminate proof of citizenship to obtain a driver’s license. Thatcher voted no on all these bills.

Three major issues to Oregon voters are the economy, safety and education. Fagan voted to increase taxes and fees including cap and trade, corporate gross receipts tax (CAT), increased fees on public utilities, prohibit hydraulic fracturing, and reduce the kicker. She sponsored a bill to eliminate the mortgage interest deduction from taxable income. When the CAT tax passed on party lines, Thatcher helped sponsor an exemption for agriculture necessities to keep food prices down, and voted to allow farmers to clean ditches without a permit to benefit agricultural drainage and enable fish and habitats, which Fagan voted against. Thatcher voted against increased taxes and fees.

Fagan signed a letter to US Attorney General William Barr demanding “immediate withdrawal of federal operatives from the City of Portland.” She helped sponsor the bill that nullified Measure 88 passed by voters allowing undocumented driver’s license. Voted to prevent courts from asking immigration status and notifying ICE. Thatcher voted to support voter’s voices in Measure 88, and voted to give judges authority over immigration status.

In the area of education, Fagan voted to include in all curriculum’s contributions from every minority group such as immigrants, LGBTQ, disabled and women. She voted to require mandated vaccination with no exceptions and ban those from schools that don’t comply. Thatcher sponsored the Education Savings Account for school choice. She voted no on forced vaccinations.

Other candidates are Kyle Markley and Nathalie Paravicini.




--Donna Bleiler

Post Date: 2020-09-17 14:21:12Last Update: 2020-09-18 08:24:22



Candidate Comparison: Bynum vs. Hays and Crawford
House District 51 is East Portland and Happy Valley

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 for House District 51 Jane Hays and Don Crawford are challenging incumbent Janelle Bynum, her 3rd run to represent a portion of Multnomah County.

Three major issues to Oregon voters are the economy, safety and education. Bynum voted to increase taxes and fees including cap and trade, corporate gross receipts tax, and reduce the kicker. She voted to prohibit hydraulic fracturing for oil and gas exploration and production. In the 2020 Special Session she voted for a 6% tax on cell phones. Hays and Crawford both indicate they would vote no on these issues but they differ on tolling. Hays would not vote to toll, but Crawford would support tolls “devoted to expanding lanes and capacity.” They also differ in that Crawford supports a sales tax that would replace the personal income tax, and Hays does not.

Bynum helped sponsor the bill that nullified Measure 88 passed by voters allowing undocumented driver’s license and she helped sponsor a bill that allows not requiring proof of citizenship to obtain a driver’s license. Voted to require employers to notify employees of ICE investigations, and sponsored a bill to prevent courts from asking immigration status and notify ICE. Hays and Crawford would vote to support ICE activities, but differ on their support for maintaining Measure 88. Hays would support voters, and Crawford would not.

In the area of education, Bynum voted to include contributions in all curricula from every minority group such as immigrants, LGBTQ, disabled and women. She voted to require mandated vaccination with no exceptions and ban those from schools that don’t comply. Bynum sponsored allowing a child to be taken into protective custody without a court order. Hays and Crawford agree in opposition to curriculum contributions, but Crawford would support vaccinations “with a carve out for private and charter schools.” Hays does not support mandated vaccinations.






--Donna Bleiler

Post Date: 2020-09-11 14:02:35Last Update: 2020-09-30 10:51:18



Candidate Comparison: Hernandez vs. Gardner
House District 47 is East Portland

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 for House District 47 Ryan Gardner is challenging incumbent Diego Hernandez, his 3rd run to represent a portion of Multnomah County.

Three major issues to Oregon voters are the economy, safety and education. Hernandez voted to increase taxes and fees including cap and trade, corporate gross receipts tax (CAT), and reduce the kicker. He also voted to prohibit hydraulic fracturing for oil and gas exploration, and voted against an agriculture necessities exemption from the CAT tax. Hernandez sponsored a bill to eliminate the mortgage interest deduction from taxable income. In the 2020 Special Session he voted to impose a 6% tax on cell phones. Gardner, on the other hand, indicates he would vote no on these issues and says, “there are better more effective methods to reduce greenhouse gasses.”

Hernandez’s safety stance is to signed a letter to US Attorney General William Barr demanding “immediate withdrawal of federal operatives from the City of Portland.” He helped sponsor the bill that nullified Measure 88 passed by voters allowing undocumented driver’s license and he helped sponsor a bill that allows not requiring proof of citizenship to obtain a driver’s license and voted to require employers to notify employees of ICE investigations as well as a bill to prevent courts from asking immigration status and notifying ICE. Gardner would vote no protecting the voters will, and would not vote to reduce the effectiveness of ICE for protection. He supports government’s ability to uphold the constitution, and believes “in upholding federal immigration law.”

In the area of education, Hernandez voted to require mandated vaccination with no exceptions and ban those from schools that don’t comply. Gardner does not agree with mandated vaccinations. He supports an Education Savings Account and says, “school choice would force some much-needed improvement in our current education system.”


--Donna Bleiler

Post Date: 2020-09-10 13:19:46Last Update: 2020-09-30 10:52:06



Candidate Comparison: Merkley vs. Perkins
Two-term incumbent faces Republican challenger

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 for U.S. Senate Jo Rae Perkins is running against incumbent Jeff Merkley. When you look at what is happening in Portland spreading to other parts of the state, change is what voters are looking for. Perkins’ view of the Portland scene is she is incensed over the weeks of nightly protests that have turned violent. She livestreamed praising law enforcement and thinks little of Merkley’s decrying of federal officer’s actions.

Senator Merkley accuses Trump of fueling chaos in Portland and proposed an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act bill to limit the use of federal law enforcement against violent protesters in cities like Portland. It would restrict federal agents’ jurisdiction to federal property and streets surrounding Federal buildings or property, require wearing identification clearly visible when working crowd control, and prohibit unmarked vehicles. President Trump repeatedly says, “Democrats are sticking up for the violence. These are anarchists in Portland that have moved into the state. Any time they’re ready I’ll send in help.”

Perkins’ longtime belief is that the federal government needs to be dramatically reduced in scope. She’s insistent that both the state and federal governments have been overreaching during the current pandemic. She opposes the use of masks saying she has done lots of research and distrust experts and official death statistics. Rightfully so since this week CDC reduced the death count for deaths solely due to COVID-19 from 161,392 to 9,683.

Merkley was one of nine Democrats that signed a letter to Defense Secretary Mark Esper over the Pentagon's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. They wrote their concerned citing news reports about COVID-19 cases among U.S. troops “the Department is still not properly prioritizing the health and well-being of our service members." Then accused them of insufficient response. The assistant secretary responded accusing the Democrat senators of using "inaccurate media reports that have been discredited, to unfairly portray the Department while we are in the middle of the COVID-19 fight." Merkley also said he wanted to ban middle seats on airlines, “these airlines are only flying because we’re subsidizing them.”

Government arrogance or overreach? Who has their focus on We The People?


--Donna Bleiler

Post Date: 2020-09-09 13:52:25Last Update: 2020-09-07 13:19:46



Candidate Comparison: Nathanson vs. Smith
A portion of Lane County

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 for House District 13 David J. Smith is running against incumbent Nancy Nathanson to represent a portion of Lane County.

Three major issues to Oregon voters is the economy, safety and education. Nathanson voted to increase taxes and fees including cap and trade, corporate gross receipts tax, increased fees on public utilities, and reduce the kicker. Smith indicates he would stand against any tax that has the possibility of shutting down businesses.

Nathanson helped sponsor the bill that nullified Measure 88 passed by voters allowing undocumented driver’s license. Voted to require employers to notify employees of ICE investigations, and prevents courts from asking immigration status and notifying ICE. Smith said legislators must listen to the voters. He also thinks ICE is doing a good and necessary job, and courts have an obligation to enforce the laws.

In the area of education, Nathanson voted to include in all curriculum’s contributions from every minority group such as immigrants, LGBTQ, disabled and women. She voted to require mandated vaccination with no exceptions and ban those from schools that don’t comply. Smith would vote no and let parents decide on vaccinations, and education shouldn’t be used to promote a group over another.


--Donna Bleiler

Post Date: 2020-08-30 10:12:37Last Update: 2020-09-30 10:53:31



Read More Articles