Vote 2014! OBA PAC
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
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John Russell, Chair Russell Development
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Gary Bauer, Vice Chair NW Natural
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Scott Bolton Pacific Power
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Julia Brim-Edwards Nike
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Justin Delaney The Standard
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Dave Robertson Portland General Electric
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Tom Kelly Neil Kelly Company
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Robin Richardson Moda Health
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Carly Riter Intel
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Don Washburn Private Investor
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Barb Young CenturyLink
OREGON BUSINESS A S S O C I AT I O N GENERAL ELECTION ENDORSEMENTS
O
BA’s Political Action
Following are the OBA
Committee works hard to
endorsements for the 2014 General
endorse candidates who
Election.
support bipartisan policy solutions and are supportive of OBA’s mission
For questions regarding the Political
-- “Oregon businesses large and small,
Action Committee, please contact
urban and rural -- working to achieve
OBA at 503-641-0990 or send
OBA’s Political Action Committee
balanced policy solutions to strengthen
email to OBA@oba-online.org.
supports candidates from both sides
quality of life and the state’s long-term
More information is available on
economic competitiveness.”
our website, OBA-Online.org.
of the aisle. The PAC seeks to support independently-minded individuals
We traditionally endorse Oregon
who are balanced in their approach
State legislative and some statewide
to solutions and have a clear vision
elected offices.
to help grow the state’s economy.
Governor’s Office Governor John Kitzhaber, MD
The Governor’s interest in health care public policy, along with a deep concern for the livelihoods of rural Oregonians and love for Oregon’s natural heritage, led him to public service. He first won election to the Oregon Legislature in 1978, serving one term in the Oregon House of Representatives. In 1980, he
was elected to the Oregon State Senate and served three terms. He served as Senate President from 1985 to 1993. He was elected as Governor in 1994, and again in 1998. “John Kitzhaber has proven himself to be the energetic, forceful and innovative leader that Oregon has needed to produce big results. We need those qualities for the next four years to tackle the daunting issues still facing us,” said John Russell, OBA PAC Board of Directors Chair.
SENATE Endorsements: Dr. Alan Bates, D-Medford Senator Bates is an excellent example of a legislator who brings OBA’s mission to life as a champion of balanced policy that benefits all Oregonians. He has lived in the Pacific Northwest for most of his life. Dr. Bates was a pre-medical student for two years at Wayne State University when he enlisted in the US Army and served one tour of duty in Vietnam. Upon his return, Dr. Bates completed his bachelor’s degree at Central Washington State University in 1969.
Before entering politics, he was Chief of Medicine at both Rogue Valley Medical Center and Providence Medical Center, and a founding board member of a primary care physicians’ group. Dr. Bates was first elected to the Oregon House of Representatives in 2000. During his first two terms of office, he was instrumental in drafting legislation to revamp the Oregon Health Plan (OHP), authoring the provider tax legislation to maintain critical funding for OHP patients and bring additional federal dollars to Oregon for Medicaid patients. He also passed legislation to increase funding to Oregon’s Trauma Centers to ensure the viability of Oregon’s lifesaving trauma care system. In 2004, Dr. Bates was elected to the Oregon State Senate. Peter Courtney, D-Salem Currently the longest-serving member of the Oregon Legislature, Senate President Peter Courtney is now serving a recordsetting sixth term as Senate President. Courtney was first selected Senate President in 2003 when the Senate was evenly divided with 15 Democrats and 15 Republicans. He was re-elected as the chamber’s presiding officer in 2005, 2007, 2009, 2011 and 2013. He previously served seven terms in the Oregon House of Representatives, including four terms as House Democratic Leader. Courtney began his career in public service in 1974 as a member of the Salem City Council, where he served until 1980. He also was a member of the Salem Area Mass Transit Board. Born June 18, 1943, in Philadelphia, Courtney was raised in Virginia, West Virginia and Rhode Island. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science and a Master’s Degree in public administration from the University of Rhode Island. He earned a law degree from Boston University.
Richard Devlin, D-Tualatin Senator Ricard Devlin began his service in the Oregon Legislature after being elected to the House of Representatives in 1996. He served three terms in the House before his election to the Oregon Senate in 2002 and was the Senate Majority Leader from 2007-2010. He has served as co-chair of Joint Ways and Means since 2011. In addition, to his work in Joint Ways and Means, Sen. Devlin was chair of the Senate Rules and Executive Appointment Committee during the 2009 legislative session. In the 2009/10 interim, he served as the chair of the Senate Rules and Executive Appointment Committee. Throughout his career, Senator Devlin has been a leading advocate on education and child safety issues. Chris Edwards, D-Eugene Senator Chris Edwards, is a sixthgeneration Oregonian born in Roseburg. He spent his early years in Bandon and later his family moved to Eugene where he attended middle school and high school. Edwards earned his Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and served as chair of the student fees committee for the OSU Student Government. After graduation from Oregon State, he returned to Eugene to learn the ins and outs of the family’s forest products business. He served in the Oregon House for three years, before being unanimously appointed by the Lane County Commission to serve in the Oregon Senate. After his appointment, Edwards sought and won election to serve the 126,000+ constituents of Senate District 7. In addition to his service in the Oregon Senate, Edwards is the founding partner of an international export representation and consulting business that helps U.S. companies develop sales and distribution channels in Asia.
Betsy Johnson, D-Scappoose Senator Betsy Johnson is serving her second term in the Oregon Senate. She joined the Senate after being appointed to fill the District 16 position formerly held by Senator Joan Dukes. The appointment came as Johnson began her 3rd term in the Oregon House of Representatives. Betsy received her undergraduate degree in History from Carleton College in Northfield, Minnesota and her Law degree from the Northwestern School of Law, Lewis & Clark College. A licensed commercial pilot of both fixed and rotor-wing aircraft, she founded Transwestern Helicopters, Inc. in 1978. In September 1993, Johnson was selected as Manager of the Aeronautics Division of the Oregon Department of Transportation, a position she held until September 1998. In the 2013 Legislative Session, Johnson was appointed to the Joint Committee on Ways and Means where she has served since her first session. In addition to serving as Vice Co-Chair of the Full Ways & Means Committee, her 2013 legislative duties included cochair of the Transportation & Economic Development Subcommittee of Ways & Means, member of the General Government Subcommittee of Ways & Means, the Economic & Community Development Commission and member of the Legislative Administration Committee. Bruce Star, R-Hillsboro Senator Bruce Starr is a successful small businessman who cares about Oregon and its future as one of the best places to live and raise a family in America. Starr is a native of Hillsboro and a graduate of Portland State University. After graduating from PSU, the young entrepreneur started his own construction company focused on residential and commercial roofing and repair. His experience as a small business owner gave him a first-hand
look at the challenges of growing a business and creating jobs. Since 1999, Starr has served in the Oregon state legislature, in both the House and Senate. He has been a leader on issues impacting the state’s economy and has focused on ways to make it easier for small businesses to grow and thrive.
Since first being elected, Chuck has served as a Hood River County Commissioner for 16 years. With the combined hard work of his colleagues on the Commission, Thomsen has been instrumental in balancing the budget, creating jobs and protecting businesses in their county.
Dr. Elizabeth Steiner Hayward, D-NW Portland/Beaverton Senator Steiner Hayward has called Oregon home since 1991. After receiving her undergraduate degree from the University of Chicago and her medical degree from the University of Massachusetts, she moved to the great northwest where she completed her residency in Family Medicine at Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU). When not at the Capitol, she serves as a family physician at OHSU where she works to provide primary care to both children and adults and currently serve as the Director of the OHSU Knight Cancer Institute Breast Health Education Program. She has served on the Board of the Oregon Academy of Family Physicians since 1999, including as President from 2011-2012.
Jackie Winters, R-Salem Senator Jackie Winters began her life-long interest in citizen involvement in public policy listening to her parents’ discussions around the table in Topeka, Kansas, where she was born, and later in Portland, Oregon where her family moved in 1941. She attended Portland Public Schools and continued her education through the Oregon University System’s Continuing Education coursework, with an emphasis on Intergovernmental Relations. She is a Flemming Fellow graduate.
Chuck Thomsen, R-Hood River Senator Chuck Thomsen is a fourth generation orchardist from Hood River, Oregon. He graduated from Hood River High School in 1975, and went on to graduate from Willamette University with a degree in Political Science and Economics. As an orchardist, Thomsen learned the value of hard work, dedication to his community, and the importance of remaining honest and trustworthy in all his endeavors. Thomsen has served as a volunteer firefighter with the Pine Grove Fire Department for thirty years. In addition, he has been an active volunteer in the community as a coach and referee for Little League and OSAA youth sports.
She began her governmental service in 1959, at Oregon Health Sciences University in the medical records unit and later joined the staff of the Portland Model Cities Program. In 1969, she was recruited to be supervisor of the Office of Economic Opportunity’s New Resources Program at the request of Governor Tom McCall. In 1979, she was appointed Ombudsman, by Governor Victor Atiyeh. During this service, she helped create the Oregon Food Share Program, which grew in 2010, to include a statewide system of food banks serving most of Oregon’s neediest families. In 1998, voters of District 31 elected Winters as their State Representative, the first African-American Republican to achieve this honor. She was reelected to this office in 2000. In 2002, 2006 and again in 2010, she was elected as State Senator for District 10. Senator Winters has lived in Salem for 40 years.
HOUSE Endorsements: Cliff Bentz, R-Ontario Representative Cliff Bentz has served in the Oregon House since his appointment in 2008. He holds degrees from Eastern Oregon State College and Lewis & Clark University. His professional experience includes working as an attorney and Partner at Yturri Rose, LLP. Bentz is also a farmer and owner/operator of a real estate business and an advocate for rural education and economic development. Dr. Knute Buehler, R-Bend A doctor, small business owner, inventor, civic leader, husband and father, Knute Buehler says he is running for the House District 54 seat because he believes in “public service, helping people solve problems and improving our quality of life.” A native Oregonian, Buehler grew up in Roseburg and earned a degree in microbiology from Oregon State University in 1986. Buehler earned his medical degree from Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in 1991. He and his wife Patty live in Bend with their two children. John Davis, R-Wilsonville Representative John Davis is fourthgeneration Oregonian, a native of Clackamas and Washington counties, a husband, a father, and a business and real estate attorney. Davis graduated summa cum laude from George Fox University, then dedicated a year of service through the AmeriCorp*VISTA program where he served as Programs Director for a community non-profit. He was elected to the Oregon House in 2012 and elected Republican Deputy Leader in 2013. Davis is an advocate
for increasing school days in Oregon, as well as supporting technology, innovation and education to revitalize Oregon’s economy. Kathy Goss, R-Salem With a Bachelors Degree from Oregon State University in Elementary Education, a Masters in Guidance and Counseling from Western Oregon University, and a Doctorate from Portland State University in Education Administration, Kathy Goss is not only an experienced educator but known as a champion of public education. A fourth-generation Oregonian, Goss has also owned and operated an appraisal business in Salem for the past 18 years. Val Hoyle, D-West Eugene Representative Val Hoyle was sworn in to represent House District 14 in the Oregon Legislature on September 29th 2009. She is currently House Majority Leader. Hoyle has 32 years of experience as an advocate, community volunteer, campaign worker and small business professional. Hoyle has worked as a legislative aide and policy analyst for State Senator Floyd Prozanski and prior to the 2011 Session she was the director of the 100% access initiative for United Way of Lane County. Hoyle also has a successful business background. John Huffman, R-The Dalles Representative John Huffman was appointed to the Oregon House in 2007 after years of raising a family, running businesses and serving his community in The Dalles. Huffman is an active member of The Dalles Area Chamber of Commerce, and has served on its Economic Development Committee for many years. He helped efforts to attract Google to the Port of The Dalles, as
well as to develop the National Scenic Area Discovery Center. As an appointee to the Bi-State Advisory Council, Huffman helped direct millions of dollars in grants and loans to economic development projects throughout the Columbia River Gorge. Mark Johnson, R-Hood River Representative Mark Johnson is a long-time resident of District 52. He grew up in the community of Parkdale and attended Hood River County schools from grade 1-12. After attending Whitworth College in Spokane, Johnson moved back to Hood River. He was elected to his first term in the State House of Representatives in November of 2010 and was then reelected to his second term in November of 2012. During the 2013 session, Johnson served on the House Higher Education and Workforce Development Committee and Consumer Protection and Government Efficiency Committee. He was also appointed to Vice Chair of the Energy and Environment Committee. Betty Komp, D-Woodburn A fourth-term legislator serving House District 22, Representative Betty Komp is also a staunch supporter of public education and is recognized as a hardworking legislator willing to take on tough challenges. She serves on the House Education Committee and the Joint Committee on Ways and Means. Rep. Komp earned a bachelor’s degree from Western Oregon University in 1990 and her M.A. from Western Oregon University in 1992. Her professional experience includes work as a teacher at Woodburn High School, as assistant principal at Woodburn High School and as principal of French Prairie Middle School.
Tina Kotek, D-Portland Representative Tina Kotek is serving her fourth term in the Oregon House. Serving as Speaker of the House during the 2013 Legislative Session, Kotek made education and economic development her priorities. She led the effort to make a historic $6.75 billion re-investment in public education, working to rehire teachers, bring down class sizes, and add school days. She also oversaw a number of efforts to speed the economic recovery, help more Oregon students access a higher education, and strengthen opportunities for Oregon’s middle class families. Kotek holds a B.S. in Religious Studies from the University of Oregon and an M.A. in International Studies from the University of Washington. Ann Lininger, D-Lake Oswego Representative Ann Lininger was raised in Southern Oregon. She works as general counsel and a vice president at Oregon Iron Works. She has also served as a Clackamas County Commissioner, an executive at a local foundation called the Meyer Memorial Trust, and as an attorney for Legal Aid Services of Oregon, a private law firm, and the Sierra Club Legal Defense Fund. Lininger is on three legislative committees: House Energy and Environment, House Housing and Human Services, and House Judiciary. She is passionate about helping students “prepare for the good jobs of today and the future and helping existing and new companies create good jobs for Oregonians.” John Lively, D-Springfield An Oregon native, Representative John Lively was born in LaGrande and raised in Springfield. He graduated from Thurston High School, Lane Community College, and the University of Oregon. He spent
four years serving our country in the Army Security Agency during the Vietnam War. He has called Springfield home for 49 years. He served as mayor of Springfield from 1976-1985. Lively is a champion of removing barriers on new businesses and the ability of existing business to expand. He also supports working with local communities to support their job creation efforts. Dan Mason, R-Hillsboro Citing a passion for “people and public service” as his main reason for running for office, Dan Mason is a recognized business leader and community advocate. He grew up in Southern Oregon where he studied history and political science at Umpqua Community College. For the past decade, he has worked his way up from night attendant to community manager of Prime Group. He is also co-founder and past President of Emerging Leaders of Oregon. Caddy McKeown, D-Coos Bay Representative Caddy McKeown was elected to represent District 9 in the Oregon House of Representatives in November 2012. Her priorities include reinvesting in public education, fostering a friendly business environment in Oregon, and maintaining critical services for Oregon’s most vulnerable citizens. McKeown was born and raised in Coos Bay. Her family has lived on the Oregon Coast for four generations. McKeown attended Coos Bay public schools and went on to study at both the University of Oregon and Oregon State University, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in Liberal Studies/Horticulture. Mike McLane, R-Powell Butte Representative Mike McLane, House Republican Leader, has deep roots in rural Oregon. He grew up in Condon, where
he worked summers on local farms and ranches. He was active in sports, 4-H, and FFA. He attended Oregon State University where he received a degree in Agricultural Resource Economics in 1987. McLane values the needs of rural communities as they fight to retain jobs and attract new economic opportunities. In addition to serving on the Prineville/ Crook County Economic Advisory Board, McLane is an attorney in Central Oregon with Miller Nash, LLP. He is known for fighting on behalf of small businesses and those in agriculture to make sure their efforts are rewarded. Julie Parrish, R-Tualatin/West Linn Serving House District 37, which includes the communities of West Linn, Tualatin, Stafford, River Grove, Durham, Rep. Parrish was elected in 2010 and has served as the Deputy Leader for the House Republican caucus. She currently owns PIP Communications, a data and online media company. Parrish serves as a Vice-Chair for the House Committee on Veterans Affairs. She is a member of the House Committee on Education and the House Committee on Transportation and Economic Development. Tobias Read, D-Beaverton First elected State Representative for District 27 in 2006, Rep. Read has played a key role in legislative efforts to protect education, improve access to healthcare, promote innovation in government and the private sector, and create new jobs statewide. He serves in leadership roles as the Majority Whip and the Chair of the House Committee on Transportation and Economic Development. Outside of government, Read has worked as a development officer for Willamette University, building partnerships with business and community leaders.