September 6, 2014

 

The incumbent Representative in Congressional District 1 is Suzanne Bonamici (D), who is running for reelection.  Her major party challenger is Jason Yates (R).  

 

JASON YATES, of Newberg, is a certified True Immigration Reformer, by NumbersUSA. -- he replied to their candidate questionnaire with answers  earning him that name.

  

In addition, he replied to the candidate questionnaire posted online by Oregon Abigail Adams Voter Education Project.  Here are his replies to these questions:

19.  Do you support requiring all employers to verify employee eligibility to work in the United States?  Yes.  All workers in the US should be citizens or have proper paperwork to work here.  No illegal aliens should hold an American job.  

20.  Do you support securing the borders before any form of amnesty is legalized?  Yes.  The border must be secured at all costs.  Amnesty should never be considered under any circumstance.    

21.  Do you support spending public funds to benefit illegal immigrants?  No.  Public funds should only be used for citizens and those who are here legally.    

22.  Do you support automatic citizenship to children born in the U.S. when both parents are not legal residents?  No.  Anchor children are currently legal but I will propose legislation to end this. 

   

Jason Yates’ campaign website is at: http://www.yatesforcongress.com/ .  It contains an Issues section including a statement on Immigration, as follows:  “This nation was founded on immigrants coming to this land to look for a better opportunity. I support legal immigration and the harsh enforcement of strong border control, including a well-armed border fence.”

 

His website gives information on his education, personal and career history.  This is his first run for Congress.

Contact for Jason Yates is through the webform on his website:  http://www.yatesforcongress.com/Contact.aspx or by email to:  YatesForCongress@gmail.com.

 

SUZANNE BONAMICI (D) of Beaverton, incumbent, has a long and very poor record on immigration issues.  She is rated D- by NumbersUSA based on her voting record in Congress, 2012 to date.  She recently sent an email to constituents stating her position on amnesty and the current surge of illegal immigrants coming across the Mexican border, which makes it very clear that she protects illegal aliens and wants them to have taxpayer-funded benefits.  During her time in Congress, Rep. Bonamici has displayed little to no concern for the volume of illegal or legal immigration and how it impacts citizens, nor any understanding of the importance of immigration law enforcement.  The record of her votes in Congress is summarized at https://www.numbersusa.com/content/my/congress/7047/reportcard/CAREER/, which gives links to details on each vote.

 

While serving in the House chamber of the Oregon Legislature, 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).   As an Oregon State Senator in 2011, she voted for the bill to grant in-state tuition to illegal aliens, SB 742.   This pattern of voting in the State Legislature has continued during her tenure in the U.S. Congress.

 

Bonamici’s campaign website is at:  http://www.bonamiciforcongress.com

Her website includes a section on priorities which has no mention of immigration.

Campaign email address:  info@bonamiciforcongress.com

 

Candidates in Addition to the Major Party Candidates

 

James Foster is the candidate of the Libertarian Party, and Stephen C. Reynolds represents the Progressive Party and the Pacific Green Party.  Both have expressed positions on immigration which are opposed to OFIR’s.  See Foster’s replies to questions 19-22 in the Oregon Abigail Adams Voter Education Project questionnaire.  See Reynolds’ website statement on immigration and his replies to the NumbersUSA questionnaire.

 

 

October 9, 2014

 

In Congressional District 2, the incumbent Representative is GREG WALDEN (R), of Hood River, who is seeking reelection to his 9th term.  His major party opponent is ADELEA CHRISTOFFERSON (D) of Bend. 

 

Rep. Walden has been in Congress since 1999.  He has a career grade of B+, based on his votes in Congress on immigration issues, as tabulated by NumbersUSA.  This is the best grade of any member of Oregon’s Congressional delegation.

 

NumbersUSA organizes vote histories of members of Congress into several subjects, and assigns a grade to each.  Here are Rep. Walden’s grades. 

 

The Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR) issued on Oct. 6 their voting record for the U.S. House, 113th Congress (Jan. 2013 to Sept. 2014). This record is a pdf document linked from http://www.fairus.org/legislation/federal/voting-reports.  It lists specific bills with amendments voted on, and gives legislators plus or minus marks for their votes according to agreement or non-agreement with FAIR’s recommendations.  The record for Oregon shows that Rep. Walden received 8 plus marks.  All the other Oregon Representatives received 8 minuses except Rep. Schrader who received one plus along with his 7 minuses.  Rep. Blumenauer is reported as Not Voting on 2 of the 8 measures, leaving him with 6 minuses.  FAIR explains the bills well and in detail.

 

Rep. Walden maintains a campaign website at: http://www.gregwalden.com/meet-greg/.  It contains an Issues section but there is no mention of immigration.  You can contact Rep. Walden through a webform on his campaign website at: http://www.gregwalden.com/contact/

 

ADELEA CHRISTOFFERSON is the candidate of the Democratic Party.  Her campaign website at http://www.aeleaforcongress.com/ includes an Issues section, and under the heading “Supporting Citizenship” she reveals her position on immigration in this statement:

 

 

There is no indication that she sees immigration in any broader perspective than that of the illegal immigrant who wants to continue to live and work here.  She appears oblivious to the effects of unlimited, uncontrolled immigration on citizens and this country.

 

Contact information for Ms. Christofferson:  

Email: info@aeleaforcongress.com;  Phone: 541-728-3141

Mail: Aelea Christofferson for Congress, PO Box 7042, Bend, OR 97708

 

Other candidate in District 2:

Sharon L. Durbin of La Pine, who is a retired attorney, is the candidate of the Libertarian Party. There is some information about her on The Oregonian’s Voter Guide, but her views on immigration are unknown.  No website for her was found.

 

 

 

 

October 6, 2014

 

The incumbent Representative in Congressional District 4 is Peter DeFazio (D) who is seeking reelection to a 15th term.  His major party challenger is Art Robinson (R).   

 

ART ROBINSON, of Cave Junction, Josephine County, maintains a campaign website at:  http://www.artforcongress.com/.  It contains an Issues section but there is no mention of immigration.  His 2014 primary campaign website did contain a statement on immigration.

 

Here are the first 3 paragraphs: 

 

Mr. Robinson answered 2 of the 4 questions on immigration in the Oregon Abigail Adams Voter Education Project questionnaire, and left 2 of them unanswered.

 

You can contact Art Robinson through his website at http://www.artforcongress.com/contact_us.  He is also the candidate of the Constitution Party.

 

PETER DEFAZIO (D), of Springfield, has been in Congress since 1987.  He is now completing his 14th term.  Rep. DeFazio has an overall career grade of C+ based on his votes on immigration issues as tabulated by NumbersUSA.  However, recently, for the period, 2013-2014, his overall grade has slipped to D, with a grade of F- on reducing amnesty enticements and D on reducing unnecessary work visas.

 

In 2014, he voted against legislation to end DACA.  In 2013, he voted against the King Amdt to DHS Appropriations bill to prevent amnesty by prosecutorial discretion. Also in 2013, he cosponsored H.R. 15 to provide amnesty to illegal aliens.  In 2010 he voted for the DREAM Act amnesty, which would have rewarded illegal aliens with amnesty.  While the DREAM Act did not pass in Congress, President Obama later implemented it by his executive actions. 

 

You can view Rep. DeFazio’s voting record on NumbersUSA’s website at http://www.numbersusa.com; click on Congress – Immigration Grade Cards.

 

For further information, you can visit Rep. DeFazio’s campaign website at: http://www.defazioforcongress.org/, or contact him at http://www.defazioforcongress.org/contact/.  His website does not have an Issues section, and no mention of immigration was found.

 

Other candidates in District 4:  The Libertarian Party candidate is David L. Chester, of Florence. The Pacific Green candidate is Michael Beilstein of Corvallis.  Contact information and some other details about these candidates is posted at: http://onyourballot.vote411.org/candidate-detail.do?id=12554852#.VC3OUGd...

 

Mr. Beilstein replied to the Oregon Abigail Adams Voter Education Project questionnaire, and his answers were exactly opposite to OFIR’s positions. 

 

 

September 30, 2014

 

The incumbent Representative in Congressional District 5 is Kurt Schrader (D), of Oregon City, who is running for reelection.  His major party challenger is Tootie Smith (R), of Molalla.

 

TOOTIE SMITH replied to the 4 immigration questions in the Oregon Abigail Adams Voter Education Project’s questionnaire, and 3 of her 4 answers are in agreement with OFIR’s positions.  In the 4th question, she supports birthright citizenship, while OFIR stands with other true immigration reform organizations in supporting an end to birthright citizenship.

 

 

Mrs. Smith has a campaign website at http://tootiesmith.com/.  A statement on immigration is prominently linked from the homepage; the statement is rather general.  She proclaims support for enforcing immigration laws while also expressing concern for the desires of immigrants and employers who use illegal labor.

 

Her website’s “About” section gives a full biography.  She has served in the Oregon House of Representatives, and more recently on the Clackamas County Board of Commissioners.

 

KURT SCHRADER (D), incumbent, has a poor record on immigration issues.  He is rated D- on his career in Congress, 2009-2014, by NumbersUSA.  The record of his votes in Congress on immigration bills is summarized at

https://www.numbersusa.com/content/my/congress/1341/reportcard/CAREER/

which gives links to details on each vote.

 

He has voted on immigration bills in several categories of the subject matter considered by NumbersUSA in calculating grades.  In each of the following categories, he is graded F-:  on reducing illegal immigration at the borders, on reducing unnecessary workers visas, on reducing amnesty enticements, on reducing illegal immigration rewards, and on reducing refugee and asylum fraud.  On bills in all of these categories, he voted against the interests of citizens and for the interests of immigrants, especially illegal immigrants.

 

Schrader’s earlier record in Oregon -- While serving in the Oregon State Senate in 2003, he voted in favor of SB 10, “relating to resident status for higher education.”  That bill would have granted instate tuition to illegal aliens, but as it failed to pass the House, largely due to strong opposition from OFIR and friends, it did not become law.  In February 2008, he voted with the majority of both parties, in favor of SB 1080, the bill requiring proof of citizenship to obtain an Oregon driver license.

 

OTHER CANDIDATES – The Constitution Party candidate is RAYMOND BALDWIN, of Canby.  His website is at:  http://rbaldwinelection2012.wix.com/raymond-baldwin.  It includes his platform principles, and under the heading, Sovereignty, says “We are firmly committed to the protection of our borders, our trade and our common defense.”

He replied to the Oregon Abigail Adams Voter Education Project questionnaire as follows:

 

 

MARVIN SANNES is running as the candidate of the Independent Party.  His website, at http://www.marvinsannes.com/ contains an Issues section, but there is no mention of immigration.  He replied to the Oregon Abigail Adams Voter Education Project questionnaire, and all 4 of the stated positions there are exactly opposite to OFIR’s positions.

 

 

 

October 14, 2014

 

The two major party candidates for U.S. Senate are incumbent Senator Jeff Merkley (D)  and Dr. Monica Wehby (R).

 

MONICA WEHBY is a pediatric neurosurgeon and very knowledgeable about health insurance issues.  This is her first political campaign, although she has considerable experience in leadership positions with national medical organizations.  She gives a full account of her background and career achievements in the About section of her website:  http://www.monicafororegon.com/about-monica/

 

She has reached out to OFIR to learn more about immigration issues and had several meetings with OFIR officers.  Her website at http://www.monicafororegon.com/home/ contains an Issues section without a statement on immigration.  During her Primary campaign, this statement was displayed on her website:

 

 

You can email her using the webform for email at: http://www.monicafororegon.com/contact-us/

Campaign telephone: (503) 954-2717.

 

JEFF MERKLEY, incumbent Senator, was first elected to Congress in Nov. 2008 and was sworn into office in January 2009.   His 6-year term is now ending, and he seeks reelection.

 

His immigration-reduction report card from NumbersUSA is F for the current Congress, 2013-2014, and D- over his whole term, 2009-2014.  Broken down by subjects of bills, his grades for 2009-2014 include:

 

           F- on reducing illegal jobs and presence, reducing unnecessary worker visas, reducing amnesty entitlements and illegal immigration rewards, reducing refugee and asylum fraud, reducing chain migration; F on reducing illegal immigration at the border.

 

A detailed record of the immigration bills on which the grades are based is available on the website of NumbersUSA, http://www.numbersusa.com.  Click Congress – Immigration Grade Cards – Oregon, then click on Sen. Merkley’s name.

 

In 2013, Sen. Merkley voted in favor of S.744, a so-called immigration reform bill, which would give immediate amnesty to unknown millions of illegal aliens while only promising to enforce border security at some indefinite time in the future, thus ensuring permanent future illegal immigration.  It would also bring a record surge in legal immigration, doubling the current legal immigration level which is already triple the traditional average.  It would give green cards to 33 million workers in the first decade.  There are many other dangerous features of this bill, which has already passed in the Senate, but not the House.  More information on the bill is at  http://www.fairus.org/legislation/amnesty/s-744-bill-resources.

 

Prior to being elected to the U.S. Senate, Merkley was Speaker of the Oregon House and had served as a Representative there since 1999.  In 2005, he voted against House Bill 2583 requiring evidence of citizenship for persons registering to vote for first time.  In 2007 Democrats controlled both houses of the Legislature, and as Speaker of the House, Merkley was an important part of the leadership team.  OFIR and our friends in the legislature made heroic efforts to advance several good bills addressing illegal immigration, and all were stymied by the Democratic Party leadership.  In the special session of February 2008, after Governor Kulongoski had issued an Executive Order calling for proof of legal presence to obtain a driver license, Merkley did vote in favor of SB 1080, the driver license bill which passed the Legislature and became law.

 

His campaign website is at: http://jeffmerkley.com; it contains a Contact link.

 

Considering his overall record in Congress and the Oregon Legislature, it’s clear that Jeff Merkley if reelected to the U.S. Senate, will likely continue to support 1) the interests of illegal aliens and their employers over the interests of citizens, and 2), virtually unlimited legal immigration.

 

 

October 15, 2014

 

The two major party candidates for Governor are Dennis Richardson (R) and John Kitzhaber (D), incumbent governor, who is now running for a 4th term.

 

DENNIS RICHARDSON, of Central Point, has served as Representative from District 4, in the Oregon House since 2003.   By occupation, he is a lawyer, having graduated from Brigham Young University and its Law School.  There’s a full account of his background and career linked from the homepage of his website at http://www.dennisrichardson.com/home.

 

While serving in the House in 2005, he voted for HB 2583, a bill requiring evidence of citizenship for persons registering to vote for first time.  The bill passed the House but died in the Senate.   In 2008, he voted for SB 1080, the bill requiring proof of citizenship by driver license applicants which is still in effect today.  In March 2013, he voted for SB 2787, giving in-state tuition to illegal aliens.  In April 2013, he voted against SB 833, the bill granting official driver cards and i.d. to illegal aliens.  He was a leader in the opposition to this bill and spoke strongly against it on the floor of the House on April 30, 2013.  See his newsletters discussing the issue at:  http://www.oregonir.org/immigration-topics/oregon-legislators-opposing-s....  In Feb. 2014 he voted No on H.R. 4054, when supporters of SB 833 attempted to change the referendum ballot title to make it more favorable to their side.

 

A contact link for Richardson is on the homepage of his website.

 

JOHN KITZHABER, of Portland, has shown his loyalty to illegal aliens in public appearance at their Capitol rally where he spoke enthusiastically in favor of benefits to them.  He is responsible for calling together a study group for the purpose of extending driving privileges to illegal aliens, a group which invited supporters only without allowing representatives of the public interest. OFIR’s officers specifically requested to join the group and were denied.

 

His campaign website at http://johnkitzhaber.com/ gives information about his background.  He was a physician when first elected to the Oregon House in 1978.  He served one term, then was elected to the Oregon Senate, continuing there for 12 years, to 1993.  He has been elected Governor 3 times and now seeks a 4th term.

 

Although he’s been in public life for many years, there is no available evidence that he understands or cares about the broader implications of illegal immigration.  He has demonstrated only a concern for the welfare of illegal aliens in Oregon with no reference to the effects of illegal immigration on citizens’ wages and job opportunities or the multiple dangers of uncontrolled immigration.

 

A contact link for Kitzhaber is on the homepage of his website.

 

The Oregon Abigail Adams Voter Education Project at http://oregonabigailadams.wordpress.com/ has links to videos of 6 debates between Richardson and Kitzhaber that you can listen to for further information on their views on various issues.

 

 

October 16, 2014

 

Who voted Aye on SB 833?   This was a critical test for Oregon legislators.

 

SB 833, the bill granting official driver cards and i.d. to illegal aliens passed the Oregon Legislature on April 30, 2013.  All Democrats in both chambers of the Legislature voted Aye for SB 833,  except Senators Betsy Johnson and Chip Shields and Representative John Lively who did not vote and were reported as Not Voting.

 

Seven Senate Republicans voted Nay; one did not vote, and 6 voted Aye.  In the House, 20 Republicans voted Nay to SB 833, one did not vote, and 5 voted Aye. 

 

Many of those who voted Aye are now running for reelection.

 

The following is a list of those legislators who voted for SB 833 and are now seeking reelection.  Only half of the Senate seats are up for election this year; the other half will be up for election in 2016.

 

Democratic Senators who voted for SB 833 and now seek reelection:

 

Bates, Alan (SD-3);

Beyer, Lee (SD-6);

Courtney, Peter (SD-11);

Devlin, Richard (SD-19); unopposed

Dembrow, Michael (SD-23), unopposed; was a Representative in 2013 and voted in the House.

Edwards, Chris (SD-7); unopposed

Monroe, Rod (SD-24); unopposed

Prozanski, Floyd (SD-4);

Steiner Hayward, Elizabeth (SD-17).

 

Sara Gelser is running for Senate in SD-8 and voted for SB 833 while in House in 2013.

 

Republican Senator who voted for SB 833 and now seeks reelection:

 

Thomsen, Chuck (SD-26), a sponsor of SB 833.

 

Democratic Representatives who voted for SB 833 and now seek reelection:

 

Barker, Jeff (HD-28); unopposed

Barnhart, Phil (HD-11);

Barton, Brent (HD-40);

Boone, Deborah (HD-32);

Buckley, Peter (HD-5); unopposed

Clem, Brian (HD-21);

Dembrow, Michael (HD-45), now running unopposed for Senate (SD-23);

Doherty, Margaret (HD-35); unopposed

Fagan, Shemia (HD-51);

Frederick, Lew (HD-43); unopposed

Gallegos, Joe (HD-30);

Gelser, Sara (HD-16), now running for Senate (SD-8);

Gomberg, David (HD-10); unopposed

Gorsek, Chris (HD-49); unopposed

Greenlick, Mitch (HD33); unopposed

Holvey, Paul (HD-8); unopposed

Hoyle, Val (HD-14);

Keny-Guyer, Alissa (HD-46); unopposed

Komp, Betty (HD-22);

Kotek, Tina (HD-44);

McKeown, Caddy (HD-9);

Nathanson, Nancy (HD-13);

Read, Tobias (HD-27); unopposed

Reardon, Jeff (HD-48

Vega Pederson, Jessica (HD-47), a sponsor of SB 833; unopposed

Williamson, Jennifer (HD-36); unopposed

Witt, Brad (HD-31); unopposed

 

Republican Representatives who voted for SB 833 and now seek reelection:

 

Davis, John (HD-26);

Gilliam, Vic (HD-18), a sponsor of SB 833;

Johnson, Mark (HD-52), a sponsor of SB 833;

Smith, Greg (HD-57); unopposed.

 

Sources: http://gov.oregonlive.com/bill/2013/SB833/

https://olis.leg.state.or.us/liz/2013R1/Measures/Overview/SB833

 

---------------------------------------

Many of the above Representatives voted also for HB 4054, the bill to change the ballot title of the referendum on SB 833 into a wording favorable to supporters of SB 833.  HB 4054 never reached the Senate.  It passed the House by a vote of 36-24.  

 

Ayes, 36.  All Democrats voted for HB 4054 except Brent Barton.  Republicans who voted Aye:  Bob Jenson, Vic Gilliam, Greg Smith.  Jenson is not running for reelection.  Both Gilliam and Smith are up for reelection.  For Democrats up for reelection, see list for SB 833; names are the same except for Brent Barton.

 

Sources: http://gov.oregonlive.com/bill/2014/HB4054/

https://olis.leg.state.or.us/liz/2014R1/Measures/Overview/HB4054

 

 

 

October 17, 2014

 

Those who are candidates for reelection in 2014 are noted here.

 

All No votes on SB 833 were from Republicans.  No Democrat cast an opposition vote.

 

In the Senate, these 7 Republican Senators voted No:

 

Betsy Close, Albany.  She is running for OR Senate against Rep. Sara Gelser (D).

Fred Girod, Stayton.  Will be up for reelection in 2016.

Tim Knopp, Bend. Will be up for reelection in 2016.

Jeff Kruse, Roseburg.  Will be up for reelection in 2016.

Alan Olsen, Canby.  He is running for reelection against Jamie Damon (D).

Bruce Starr, Hillsboro.  He is running for reelection against Chuck Riley (D).

Doug Whitsett, Klamath Falls. Will be up for reelection in 2016.  

 

Jackie Winters, Salem, did not vote.  She is running unopposed for reelection.

 

In the House, these 20 Republican Representatives voted No:

 

Cliff Bentz, Ontario.  He is running for reelection against Peter W. Hall (D).

Vicki Berger, Salem.  She is not running for reelection.

Kevin Cameron, Salem,   He is not running for reelection to the House.

Jason Conger, Bend.  He is not running for reelection.

Sal Esquivel, Medford.  He is running unopposed for reelection.

Tim Freeman, Roseburg.  He is not running for reelection.

Wally Hicks, Grants Pass.  He is not running for reelection.

John Huffman, The Dalles.  He is running unopposed for reelection. 

Bill Kennemer, Oregon City.  He is running unopposed for reelection.

Wayne Krieger, Gold Beach.  He is running for reelection against Jim Klahr (D).

Mike McLane, Medford.  He is running for reelection against Richard V. Phay (D).

Andy Olson, Albany.  He is running unopposed for reelection.

Julie Parrish, West Linn.  She is running for reelection against Gerritt Rosenthal (D)

Dennis Richardson, Central Point.  He is running for Governor.

Sherrie Sprenger, Scio.  She is running for reelection against Rich Harisay (D).

Kim Thatcher, Keizer.  She is running for OR Senate against Ryan Howard (D).

Jim Thompson, Dallas.  He is not running for reelection.

Jim Weidner, Yamhill.  He is running for reelection against Ken Moore (D).

Gene Whisnant, Sunriver.  He is running unopposed for reelection.

Gail Whitsett, Klamath Falls.  She is running unopposed for reelection.

 

Bruce Hanna, Roseburg, did not vote.  He is not running for reelection.

 

Sources:

http://gov.oregonlive.com/bill/2013/SB833/

https://olis.leg.state.or.us/liz/2013R1/Measures/Overview/SB833

--------------------------

 

NO votes on HB 4054, the bill to change the ballot title of the referendum on SB 833 into a wording favorable to supporters of SB 833.

 

One Democrat voted No on HB 4054 – Brent Barton, Oregon City.

These 23 Republicans voted No on HB 4054: Bentz, Berger, Cameron, Conger, Davis, Esquivel, Freeman, Hanna, Hicks, Huffman, Johnson, Kennemer, Krieger, McLane, Olson, Parrish, Richardson, Sprenger, Thatcher, Thompson, Weidner, Whisnant, Whitsett.

The 3 Republicans who voted Yes on HB  4054: Vic Gilliam, Silverton; Bob Jenson, Pendleton; Greg Smith, Heppner.

 

Sources:

http://gov.oregonlive.com/bill/2014/HB4054/

https://olis.leg.state.or.us/liz/2014R1/Measures/Overview/HB4054

 

 

 

October 21, 2014

 

The major party candidates in House District 23 are Mike Nearman (R), of Independence, and Wanda Davis (D) of Dallas.

 

MIKE NEARMAN maintains a campaign website at http://nearmanfororegon.com/

giving information on his background and beliefs.  He is a software engineer by occupation.  He replied to the Oregon Abigail Adams Voter Education Project’s candidate questionnaire, which included these questions on immigration:

 

15.  Do you support AUTOMATICALLY registering people to vote using DMV data?  NO

17.  Do you support requiring proof of eligibility when registering to vote?  YES

32.  Do you support mandating all Oregon employers to use the federal E-Verify system to determine the employee's work eligibility status?  YES 

 

He has attended meetings of Oregonians for Immigration Reform, participated in its activities, and helped in the campaign for a NO vote on SB 33.  He serves on the OFIR Board.

 

Mr. Nearman won the primary election over a long-term incumbent showing that concerned voters respond to his ideas, enthusiasm, and energy.

 

WANDA DAVIS did not reply to the OAAVEP questionnaire.  There is some information about her in this Polk County Itemizer article of Oct. 14, as well as other candidates in the race.

 

Her campaign website, at http://wandadavis4oregonhouse23.nationbuilder.com/, gives her background and lists supporting organizations.  These include:  United Food and Commercial Workers Union Local 555, Service Employees International Union Local 503, and Oregon AFSCME Council 75.  All of these organizations are large contributors to the YES on Oregon Safe Roads PAC, the main group campaigning to give driver cards to illegal aliens.  The SEIU Local 503 alone has given $100,000 to the campaign to accommodate illegal aliens and their employers.

 

Since Ms. Davis has not addressed immigration issues, and in view of the organizations supporting her candidacy, it can reasonably be expected she will follow the Democratic Party’s leadership, meaning she will vote for more benefits to illegal aliens, amnesties, and lax to no enforcement of the immigration laws.

 

October 21, 2014

 

The major party candidates in House District 24 are Jim Weidner (R), incumbent, of Yamhill, and Ken Moore (D) of Yamhill.

 

JIM WEIDNER, incumbent, has served as Representative from District 24 from 2009 to date.  His campaign website at http://www.jimfororegon.com/ gives a moving account of his personal principles and how he became involved politically.  In his time at the Legislature, he has voted consistently for respecting and enforcing immigration laws.

 

When first running for office, in 2008, Weidner was quoted in the McMinnville News-Register of May 3 thus:  “When a guy is arrested and booked, we need to find out his immigration status, and at that point, he needs to be deported.”  The newspaper said that state law currently prohibits that, and that Weidner supports its repeal. 

 

During his first term in the Legislature, in 2009, he introduced HB 3364 for OFIR, a bill that would have had Oregon participate in the federal Rapid REPAT program, which allowed states to transfer certain illegal alien prisoners (those not convicted of violent crimes) to the federal government for early release and deportation.

 

In February 2013, Rep. Weidner voted no on HB 2787, the bill giving in-state tuition to illegal aliens.  In April 2013, he voted no on SB 833, the bill giving official state driver cards and i.d. to illegal aliens.  In Feb. 2014, he voted no on HB 4054, the bill that would have changed the ballot title of our referendum on SB 833 to a wording more favorable to supporters of driver cards for illegal aliens.

 

KEN MOORE has a campaign website at http://moorefororegon.com/ containing an Issues section, but there is no reference to immigration.

  

On his candidate filing paper with the Secretary of State, he lists his occupation as Self-employed Handyman.

 

In the About section of his website, there is a long list of community organizations and institutions with which he has done volunteer work. 

 

He lists 10 organizations endorsing his candidacy, using acronyms for each.  One is SEIU, (Service Employees International Union), which through its locals 49 and 503 in Oregon, has contributed $120,000 to the YES on Oregon Safe Roads campaign, the main group working to get official driver cards and i.d. for illegal aliens.

 

Absent any indication of Mr. Moore’s views on immigration issues, it’s reasonable to expect he would follow Democratic Party leadership and support benefits for illegal aliens, amnesties, and lax to no enforcement of the immigration laws.

 

October 21, 2014

 

The major party candidates in House District 25 are Bill Post (R) of Salem, and Charles Lee (D) of Keizer.

 

BILL POST’s website at http://www.billpost.us/ gives an interesting account of his life so far, and discusses several public issues.  A radio talk show host now, he has lived in Oregon since 1971 and worked in radio here since college days.  He is Operations Manager as well as talk show host at Willamette Broadcasting, Salem.

 

He replied to the Oregon Abigail Adams Voter Education Project questionnaire, including these questions on immigration:

15.  Do you support AUTOMATICALLY registering people to vote using DMV data?    No.

17.  Do you support requiring proof of eligibility when registering to vote?    Yes, always.

32.  Do you support mandating all Oregon employers to use the federal E-Verify system to determine the employee's work eligibility status?    Yes, always. 

 

He has given considerable airtime to immigration issues, and been welcoming to OFIR officers, often inviting them to speak on his program about bills at the state Legislature, in Congress, and related matters.

 

CHUCK LEE is President of Mountain West Career Technical Institute and previously was President for many years of the Blanchet Catholic School.  He describes his personal and career history on his website at http://www.votechucklee.com/.

 

Lee’s Issues section is rather brief and covers mainly education and job training issues.  He did not reply to the Oregon Abigail Adams Voter Education Project questionnaire.

 

He displays a long list of individuals and organizations supporting his campaign.  Among the organizations is the Service Employees International Union, whose locals 49 and 503 in Oregon have contributed $120,000 to the YES on Oregon Safe Roads campaign, the main group working to get official driver cards and i.d. for illegal aliens.

 

Since there seems to be no public indication of Mr. Lee’s views on immigration, it’s reasonable to expect he would follow Democratic Party leadership and support benefits for illegal aliens, amnesties, and lax to no enforcement of the immigration laws. 

 

October 19, 2014

 

The candidates in District 8 are Betsy Close (R), of Albany and Sara Gelser (D), of Corvallis.

 

BETSY CLOSE was appointed in October 2012 to the Oregon Senate, to serve the unexpired term of Senator Frank Morse who resigned.  She had previously served 3 terms as Representative, from 1999 through 2004, first from House District 36, which was renumbered to be District 15 for the 2003 session.  Her ability was recognized by the Party which named her Assistant Majority Leader.  She was in the Legislature during the early days of OFIR and in 2003, she introduced a bill at OFIR’s request, HB 2578, calling for proof of citizenship to obtain a driver license.  The bill did not pass then, but later after years of effort by OFIR and others, a similar bill did pass in 2008.

 

As a Senator in 2013, she voted against SB 833, the bill granting driver cards to illegal aliens, and against HB 2787, the bill giving instate tuition to illegal aliens.  The 2014 bill, HB 4054, changing the ballot title for the referendum on SB 833, did not reach the Senate; strong and widespread opposition stopped it after passing the House.

 

Sen. Close describes her background as the daughter of educators and a teacher herself,  on her campaign website at http://www.betsyclose.com/meet-betsy/.  She can be contacted through a webform on her website.

 

SARA GELSER has a campaign website at http://www.saragelser.com/, listing the organizations supporting her; the top listed one is SEIU Local 503, a union that has contributed $100,000 to the YES on Safe Roads PAC, the main group campaigning for driver cards for illegal aliens.

 

She has served as Representative from Oregon House District 16 since 2005, replacing Kelley Wirth who resigned in November 2005.  In 2008 she was one of 15 Democrats in the House to vote No on SB 1080, the bill to require proof of citizenship for driver license applicants.  The bill passed the House 45-15 and is now law.  In 2011, she was a sponsor of SB 742 granting in-state tuition to illegal aliens; that bill passed the Senate but failed to pass the House.

 

In 2013 she was again a sponsor of an in-state tuition bill, HB 2787, that passed the Legislature on March 21.  On April 30, she voted Aye on SB 833, the bill giving driver cards to illegal aliens, and later, in 2014, also voted Aye on HB 4054 that would have changed the ballot title on the veto referendum on SB 833 to a wording favorable to supporters of SB 833.

 

 

October 20, 2014

 

The candidates in District 11 are Patti Milne (R), of Woodburn, and Peter Courtney (D) of Salem.

 

PATTI (PATRICIA) MILNE has served as a Marion County Commissioner for the past 15 years, from 1999 to date.  She is thoroughly familiar with the county, its government, economy, and population.  Previously she served 3 terms as State Representative, 1993-1998, including service as Majority Whip in 1995.  Before that she was a member of the Woodburn School Board from 1989-1992.

 

While serving on the Marion County Commission, she was instrumental in having the  County sign up with the Federal E-Verify program, and now the County government is able to check its  newly hired employees to be sure they’re legally eligible to work in the U.S.  

 

Her campaign website is at http://www.pattimilneforsenate.com/.  It contains background, lists supporters, and gives contact information. 

 

Incumbent PETER COURTNEY has been in the State Legislature for many years.  He began as a Representative, serving 1981-1984 and 1989-1998, then moving to the Senate in 1999 where he has remained since then.  He has been President of the Senate since 2003.

 

In his position as President of the Senate from 2003 to date, he has played a leading role in the management of bills, and he favors publicly-funded benefits to illegal aliens.  He has opposed bills requiring proof of citizenship when registering to vote, efforts to require employers to use E-Verify, efforts to strengthen cooperation between local law enforcement and federal immigration authorities.  He has consistently supported in-state tuition for illegal aliens.  In 2013 he voted to give official state driver cards to illegal aliens (SB 833). 

 

 

October 19, 2014

 

The two candidates in Oregon Senate District 13 are Kim Thatcher (R) and Ryan Howard (D).

 

REP. KIM THATCHER has been serving in the Oregon House since 2005.  She has always been supportive of immigration control measures.  In 2007 she and a colleague introduced a slate of bills, called the Sensible Immigration Package, which included bills requiring evidence of citizenship for persons registering to vote for first time; a bill prohibiting state government from employing individual who is not legally present or legally employable; one permitting law enforcement agencies to apprehend person based upon probable cause that person is in violation of immigration law, and one requiring Dept. of Human Services to verify lawful presence in U.S. of applicants for public assistance.  All were stifled by the Democratic Party leadership.

 

Again in 2011, she introduced several good bills, including one requiring evidence of citizenship to register to vote for first time, one prohibiting state agencies from providing employment, products, services or licenses to persons who are not lawfully present in the U.S., and one requiring all business to sign up for the federal E-Verify program.

 

During the current campaign she replied to the Oregon Abigail Adams Voter Education Project’s candidate questionnaire, giving these answers to the questions on immigration:

 

Her campaign website is at http://kimthatcher.us/.  In the Issues section, in Protecting Freedoms and 2d Amendment Rights, there is this statement:

 

RYAN HOWARD has served on the Newberg City Council since 2010 and as President of the Council since Jan. 2014.  He is an attorney and a graduate of Lewis & Clark Law School.  

 

For his campaign for Oregon Senate, he maintains a website is at: http://www.howardfororegon.com/.    His website has an Issues section but there is no mention of immigration in the Issues section or elsewhere in the website.  He did not reply to the OAAVEP questionnaire.  In the absence of any statement, we can assume he will take the Democratic Party leadership’s position which supports benefits for illegal aliens and their employers, along with lax or no enforcement of the immigration laws.

 

October 19, 2014

 

The candidates for Senate in District 20 are Alan Olsen (R), incumbent, of Canby, and Jamie Damon (D), of Eagle Creek.

 

ALAN OLSEN was elected to the Oregon Senate in 2010 and is now completing his first term of 4 years.  In addition to his work in the legislature, he is a general contractor and small business owner building homes and structures across Oregon. He is also a veteran of the U.S. Army, serving from 1969 to 1971.

 

In 2011, he voted No on Senate Bill 742 granting instate tuition to illegal aliens.  The bill passed the Senate but failed in the House.  In March 2013 he voted No on HB 2787 granting instate tuition to illegal aliens.  This bill passed both chambers and became law.  OFIR worked hard to stop the bill but solid Democratic majorities forced the bill through.  They were joined by 5 House Republicans and 3 Senate Republicans.  No Democrats voted against the bill.

 

In April 2013, Senator Olsen voted No on SB 833, the bill granting driver cards to illegal aliens, which is now the subject of a citizens’ veto referendum, Ballot Measure 88.  He also voted No on HB 4054, the bill to change the Ballot title to wording more favorable to supporters of SB 833.

 

His campaign website is at http://www.alanolsen.com/.  He gives email and postal addresses at:  http://www.alanolsen.com/contact.php

 

JAMIE DAMON maintains a campaign website at http://votejamiedamon.com/.  It contains a Priorities section with no mention of immigration.

 

She was appointed to the Clackamas County Board of Commissioners in 2011 and served until 2013.  Her website states that she “has worked as a mediator and facilitator with individuals, citizen groups and all levels of government to guide individuals and groups through controversial and highly contentious situations.”  There is little information given about the particular projects involved.

 

An article in the Oregon Catalyst, Sept. 6, accuses her of not reporting income received from work as a state bureaucrat over the last year on an ethics disclosure form required of all state candidates.  See: http://oregoncatalyst.com/28499-ethics-complaint-filed-jamie-damon-conce...

 

Lacking any statement on immigration issues, and citing Sen. Wyden and Rep. Kurt Schrader among her main supporters, it’s reasonable to assume that Jaime Damon would follow the Democratic Party leadership on immigration issues, meaning she would vote for amnesties, continued very high levels of legal immigration, benefits to illegal aliens, and lax or no enforcement of the immigration laws.

 

 

October 21, 2014

 

The questionnaire of the Oregon Abigail Adams Voter Education Project for this year’s general election is a rich resource for learning what candidates think about important public issues, including immigration.

   

Listed here are the people who replied to the OAAVEP questions on immigration for 3 groups of candidates: Congressional, Oregon Legislature, and county commissioners.  Questions were different for each group.

 

All who replied to the OAAVEP questionnaire are persons who’ve thought about public issues and are willing to say what their views are.  Politicians are often accused of vagueness and speaking only in generalities, but those who answered the OAAVEP questionnaire are stating specific opinions for voters to consider.

 

OAAVEP questions for Congressional candidates:

   

The only major party candidates who answered these questions are all Republicans: Jason Yates, CD 1; James Buchal, CD 3; Art Robinson, CD 4; Tootie Smith, CD 5.

 

OAAVEP questions for Oregon Legislative candidates:

Major party candidates for Oregon Legislature who answered these questions are listed below.  Many of those replying gave answers supporting E-Verify and voter restrictions, but some opposed or added qualifications to their answers.  All are Republicans except those with an asterisk before the name.  

 

State Senate candidates:  Kim Thatcher, S13; John Verbeek, S17.

 

State House candidates:  

*Jim Klahr, H1; Duane Stark, H4; Sal Esquivel, H6; Casey Runyon, H9;

Laura Cooper, H13; Mike Nearman, H23; Bill Post, H25; 

Larry Ericksen, H31; Rick Rose, H32; Brenden King, H34; *Gerritt Rosenthal, H37; 

Tim McMenamin, H41; Michael Harrington, H44; George Yellott, H48; Bill Beckers, H49; 

Gene Whisnant, H53; *Richard Phay, H55; Gail Whitsett, H56; Greg  Baretto, H58; 

John Huffman, H59; *Peter Hall, H60.

 

Candidates for local county offices (Commissioners and Clerks)  also had the opportunity to complete the OAAVEP questionnaire, and several did.  These local offices are nonpartisan in some counties and partisan in others.  Here are the questions on immigration in the questionnaire for local offices:

 

Columbia County – Wayne Mayo

Coos County – Don Gurney

Crook County – Walt Wagner

Deschutes County – Jack Stilwell

Douglas County – Jeff Admire, Gary Leif

Jackson County – all 4 candidates for Position 1, and the 2 candidates for Position 3.

Jefferson County – Mae Huston

Yamhill County – Mary Starrett

 

To see replies to the OAAVEP questions, please visit http://oregonabigailadams.wordpress.com/