Oregon’s first district primary candidates speak

Oregon’s first district congressional primary election will conclude today, with three major contenders vying for the Democratic nomination for the House of Representatives seat left vacant by Representative David Wu’s resignation.

The three leading primary candidates working to gain the support of the Oregon public are Brad Avakian, commissioner of the Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries; Brad Witt, a state representative; and Suzanne Bonamici, a state senator. Whichever contender emerges victorious will have to provide answers to the state’s most pressing issues, with the key issue undoubtedly being high unemployment.

“Jobs and job creation are the most important issues, as well as economic status and education,” Bonamici said. “We need to get people back to work on infrastructure projects, things like roads, bridges and the electrical grid, which will help our renewable energy source.”

She also stressed a focus on helping small businesses gain access to capital.

Avakian made his campaign platform clear, saying: “There is nothing more important than putting 30 million people back to work who aren’t working enough to make ends meet for their families.”

As for funding new jobs programs, Witt called tax hikes “self-defeating.”

“We can’t be raising taxes on folks who are likely underemployed at this point,” Witt said. “The way we get ourselves back on track is to grow our economy, grow more jobs and grow more businesses.”

“That starts with a focus on public education,” Avakian said. “Part of getting people back to work is getting attractive businesses here, and that starts with a well-trained workforce.”

Portland State students should take solace in the fact that all three candidates make financial aid in public education a high priority. Each contender stressed a need to upgrade Oregon’s school system, and provide additional support to recent college graduates.

“A strong public education helps re-vitalize the economy,” Bonamici said. “We need to make sure that more students can afford to go to school through increasing Pell Grants, and we need to make sure that students can get jobs within the community. We’re also looking at loan forgiveness programs, which will make college more affordable to more people.”

Witt suggested adding a cost-of-living index to the Pell Grants, which would automatically increase grant aid for students in urban areas with high living expenses—an increase Witt called “absolutely critical.”

“For the U.S. to compete globally, we have to have the best-trained workforce that you can find anywhere on Earth,” Avakian said. “We’ve got to make sure that our university system, including PSU, is tops. That begins with decreasing tuition. We need more Pell Grants to make college accessible, we need to pass the DREAM Act so that children of immigrants have a better chance of getting into college and we need to do a better job of linking universities with local businesses so that we link students up with the same skill sets that businesses require.”

Each candidate is enthusiastic about the election, and believes that they will be able to make significant changes at both the state and federal levels. All three candidates have plans to positively impact the living conditions of Oregonians, and encourage citizens to closely study and then participate in today’s vote.

“Now’s not a time to play it safe. Now’s a time to stand up and be heard, whether you’re a student or someone running for Congress,” Avakian said. “Now’s a time to stand up, to be heard and to take action. Portland State University students should do that by voting.”

“This election is an opportunity for Oregonians to elect someone who is going to bring a strong, effective and principled voice to Congress to be their advocate,” Witt said. “It’s something that the First Congressional District has been in need of for a long time now. This is an opportunity that cannot be squandered.”

If you are a first district resident and registered to vote, you can pick up a last-minute ballot today between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m. at the Multnomah County Elections Division Office, located at 1040 SE Morrison Street. You can drop off your completed ballot anytime before 8 p.m. today at the Central Library, Pioneer Courthouse Square or the Multnomah County Elections Division Office, as well as at A-Boy Supply at 7365 SW Barbur Boulevard and the Hillsdale, Capitol Hill and Northwest library locations.