A year ahead: who’s running for Senate

Oregon U.S. Senate candidate John Frohnmayer told students at a town hall meeting held at Portland State on Wednesday afternoon that they should be concerned with the national debt, the government’s overemphasis on fighting the war in Iraq and the financial burden educational debts cause for students after graduation.

“When the [President George W. Bush] administration took over, there was a surplus and now we’re at a debt,” Frohnmayer said. “Educational debt is another concern because when students look at the next 10-15 years of their careers they will be forced to find ways to pay the money back.”

Frohnmayer, who is running as an independent, said the federal government should look at ways to help students pay off their debts, like teaching about money management. He also said Pell grants are currently “woefully inadequate.”

Frohnmayer has been openly adamant about his belief that President Bush should be impeached, writing an op-ed article about the topic for The Oregonian on Oct. 3. At the town hall meeting, Frohnmayer said Bush should be impeached because he is not fulfilling the duties set forth to him in the Constitution, and his approach to the presidency could reflect negatively on future administrations.

Other topics addressed by Frohnmayer include his beliefs that the government is not spending enough on education in Oregon or the entire nation, healthcare should be provided for all Americans and military forces should be withdrawn from Iraq immediately.

A native of Medford, Ore., Frohnmayer was the chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts under George H.W. Bush and has committed 25 years to being a civil rights attorney. Frohnmayer, a former Republican and brother of University of Oregon President Dave Frohnmayer, said he decided to run as an independent because of partisanship between the Democratic and Republican parties.

“I really think our politics are broken,” Frohnmayer said. “Each party is too worried about beating up each other.”

Another U.S. Senate candidate, Steve Novick, visited Portland State on Sept. 24, speaking about healthcare and environmentalism. Novick, a Democrat known for his short stature and the metal hook he has in place of his left hand, will return to Portland State on either Oct. 23 or Oct. 25 to speak about issues paramount to his campaign, according to campaign manager Jake Weigler.

Weigler said Novick is an advocate against the increasing cost of higher education and hopes to provide more financial assistance because he believes the amount of debt students face following college it too substantial. A supporter of the Sanders-Boxer bill, which seeks to reduce greenhouse gas emissions considerably by 2050, Novick is a strong advocate for climate change, Weigler said.

Frohnmayer and Novick are running against incumbent Republican U.S. Senator Gordon Smith and Speaker of the Oregon House of Representatives Jeff Merkley (D-Portland) in the Nov. 2008 elections.

Who else is running?

Jeff Merkley: State Representative, Portland (Democrat)

What he’s accomplished:

Assisted in the creation of the “Shared Responsibility” Oregon Opportunity Grant, which helps students finance higher education. The grant uses a formula that includes tuition, hours worked each week and family income to assess how much money a student can pay and how much the state can fund.

Helped in passing new ethical standards for politicians and public officials.

Advocated for Oregon students to have a full school year, reasonable class sizes and academic programs.

Led the passing of a rainy-day fund to finance public education and critical state services during economic downturns.

What he hopes to achieve:

Propose a bill that allows students to receive $10,000 in tax reductions for college tuition each year.

Fight against financial aid cuts and provide more Pell grants and loans for students.

Get troops out of Iraq immediately.

Advocate for every person in America to receive affordable healthcare.

Reduce America’s reliance on fossil fuels, especially foreign dependence, in favor of cleaner fuel sources.

Gordon Smith: Incumbent (Republican)

What he’s accomplished:

Is currently chairman of the Senate Hunger Caucus, and has worked to reduce hunger in Oregon and around the world.

Has composed bills to lower student loans interest rates, add additional Pell grants and increase the Head Start Program’s funding.

Funded federal timber bills and expedited efforts for extinguishing the Biscuit Fire.

Assisted in the passage of bills to reduce the federal income tax, capital gains tax and marriage penalty, which have benefited over 1.3 million Oregon taxpayers.

Wrote bills to increase hybrid vehicles and improved energy efficiency in buildings across Oregon.

What he hopes to accomplish:

Advocate the removal of troops from Iraq immediately.

Keep Internet access tax-free and extend broadband access to rural areas.

Expand children’s health care and provide coverage for the uninsured. Is also a proponent of mental health programs.

Protect Oregon’s landmarks, including Mount Hood and the Columbia River.