Special Election, January 31, 2012 - Congressional District 1

Article subtitle: 
Who will replace Wu? It's up to you!
Article date: 
Thursday, January 5, 2012
Article category: 
Oregon Issues
Medium
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In less than 2 weeks, ballots will be arriving in the mail for the Special Election for Representative, First Oregon Congressional District. This is a very important position as Congress is the branch of the Federal Government that makes immigration laws. The former Representative, David Wu, served for over 10 years almost always voting for benefits to illegal aliens and higher immigration levels. We need a Representative who understands the urgency of stopping illegal immigration and reducing the numbers legally admitted.

Following is a summary of available information on the immigration positions of candidates for Congress in this Special Election, January 31, 2012, to elect a candidate to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Rep. David Wu.

Suzanne Bonamici (Democrat) – She was elected to the Oregon House in Nov. 2006, from District 34 (Beaverton), and began serving in January 2007. In 2008, she was appointed to fill the vacancy representing Senate District 17 (Beaverton, Portland), and she continued in the Senate until Nov. 2011 when she resigned in order to run for Congress.

While serving in the House, in the February 2008 Special Session, she voted to continue giving Oregon driver licenses to illegal aliens, when she voted against requiring proof of legal status to obtain a driver license (SB 1080). In the Senate's 2011 session, she voted for the bill to grant in-state tuition to illegal aliens, SB 742.

Her campaign website is at: www.bonamiciforcongress.com. The site has a Priorities section with no mention of immigration. There is a site-wide search box, and typing in the word "immigration" returned this reply: "Sorry, but no results were found." From the lack of any mention, we can conclude that immigration is a non-issue for her, and she does not wish to discuss it. Her record of voting in the State Legislature makes it clear however, that she protects illegal aliens and wants them to have taxpayer-funded benefits. She can be expected to vote the same way in Congress, that is, for lax-to-no enforcement of immigration laws, and for benefits for illegal aliens, enticing more to come. As the Democratic Party leadership opposes mandatory use of E-Verify, she would probably follow party policy on that issue as well.

Rob Cornilles (Republican) – Cornilles was born and grew up in Oregon; he has been a businessman most of his adult life. His website at www.cornillesforcongress.com has a lengthy Issues section, and one of the several topics covered is Border Security, in which he points out the dangers of uncontrolled immigration and shows strong support for better border security. It ends with this reference to immigration: "And as we secure the borders, we should also focus on increasing the efficiencies of legal immigration because, as always, legal immigration strengthens the American family and builds our economy."

He has stated in communications with individuals that he supports E-Verify as part of a broader approach to addressing the problem of illegal immigration. This leaves open the question of whether he supports amnesty for illegal immigrants now in the country.As Republican nominee for Congress in Nov. 2010, opposing Rep. David Wu (Democrat), Cornilles had this statement on his campaign website, in the then-section on National Security: "When it comes to immigration, we must first secure our borders and enforce our current laws, with illegal immigrants and with employers." In that election (Nov. 2010), OFIR endorsed Cornilles, and he received nearly 123,000 votes to Wu's 160,357.

James Foster (Libertarian) – His website is at http://www.votejamesfoster.com .
He answered the Political Courage Test of Project Vote Smart, and said that he does not support the enforcement of federal immigration laws by state and local police. To the question, "Should illegal immigrants who graduate from Oregon high schools be eligible for in-state tuition at public universities?" he said Yes.
http://www.votesmart.org/candidate/political-courage-test/128415/james-foster/

Steven Reynolds (Progressive) – His website is at: http://www.orneeds.it
No statements by him on immigration policy were found.

SOME UPCOMING CAMPAIGN EVENTS:

If possible, attend one or more of these events and ASK specific questions of these candidates about their plans to stop illegal immigration.  If you get a response, please share with OFIR.  Be certain to talk with your neighbors and co-workers about the special election and make certain they vote.

Jan. 6: DEBATE: Portland City Club debate, 12:15 pm. To reserve tickets:
http://www.pdxcityclub.org/content/first-congressional-district-debate-0

Jan. 8: Rob Cornilles is the first guest on KATU's new public affairs show, "Your Voice, Your Vote." Airs at 9 am.

Jan. 9: DEBATE: Washington County Public Affairs Forum, 11:45 am Call 503-922-2014 for more information

Jan. 10: DEBATE: Washington County Chambers of Commerce, 7:30 am
To reserve tickets: http://wcccp1stcongressiondistrictdebate.eventbrite.com/

Jan. 10: DEBATE: KGW/Oregonian Debate, Live broadcast on KGW Channel 8 7pm-8pm.

Jan. 17: DEBATE: OPB's Think Out Loud KOPB FM 91.5 9am-10 am

Jan. 17: DEBATE: Portland Rotary Debate 12:45 CALL 503-922-2014 for more information