Richard (Rich) Walsh

Occupation: Attorney

Occupational Background: Practicing attorney since 1986. Small business owner in Salem (1994-2000) and Keizer (2000-present). Rich has also worked as a union employee of UPS and Fred Meyers.

Educational Background: JD from the University of Oregon Law School.

Prior Governmental Experience: Keizer City Council 2000-2011. Served on or chaired numerous volunteer city committees and boards including Parks Board, budget committees, library exploration committee, and regional transportation committees.

JUSTICE

  • Rich has devoted his career to fighting for underdogs against powerful insurance companies.
  • Rich’s cases have advanced protections for all Oregon workers, including agricultural workers.
  • Rich understands that communities of color and seniors are most likely to be taken advantage of by predatory individuals and corporations.

HOMELESSNESS

  • Rich was among the first in our community to advocate for micro-shelters to give the unsheltered a chance at a new start.
  • Rich is currently serving on the Advisory Board of the non-profit group that provides micro-shelters and supportive services.

ENVIRONMENT

  • Rich believes that the legislature should prioritize protecting the climate.
  • Rich helped create Keizer’s first burn ban and curbside recycle program.

CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM AND HEALTH CARE FOR ALL

  • Rich is dedicated to work for campaign finance reform and health care for all.

RECOGNIZED LEADERSHIP IN GETTING THINGS DONE

  • Twice elected Keizer City Council President.
  • Received leadership award from the Council of Governments.
  • Received President’s award from Keizer Chamber.
  • Keizer Rapids Park’s road and boat ramp are named after Rich in recognition of his leadership role in creating the park.

I am running because too many politicians focus their time and attention on creating division and hatred instead of solving problems. Enough is Enough! Let’s focus on getting things done!

ENDORSEMENTS

Keizer City Councilor Roland Herrera

Salem Mayor Chuck Bennett

Former State Rep. Brian Clem, Salem

Former State Rep Betty Komp, Woodburn

Former Marion County Commissioner Randal Franke

State Rep Paul Evans, Monmouth

Community Organizers Aileen Kaye and Cindy Kimball

Former UFCW union secretary/treasurer Jeff Anderson

 

(This information furnished by Richard Walsh.)

Rachel Armitage

As someone who grew up working-class in southern Oregon, it is a great and humbling honor to be appointed State Senator in this beautiful district. I love this land and these people dearly. From the stunning coastline to the golden marshes, from the deep green forest to the swiftly flowing rivers, I find endless beauty in every corner of District 16. And most especially, I love the hardworking folks in all five counties—Tillamook, Clatsop, Columbia, Multnomah, and Washington—that I have the privilege to represent. I’m inspired by the hardworking Oregonians of my district—folks like farmers, brewers, teachers, nurses, construction workers, fishermen, and small business owners.​

I am deeply grateful to my parents and grandparents who raised me, to my siblings for their steadfast friendship, and to my husband and stepdaughter for their love and support. I could not do this work without all of them.

John D Velez

Occupation: Real State Principal Broker, Residential and Commercial Land Consultant, Small Business Owner

Occupational Background: Chief Executive Officer, Property Management and Preservation, Residential and Commercial Land Consultant

Educational Background: Southwestern Oregon College, AA in Business & Administration, Center for Equity and Inclusion Diversity Training, Fair Housing & Equal Opportunity Certified, Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice Certified

Prior Governmental Experience: Sherwood 2040 Community Advisory Committee 2021.

Community Service: Small Business Start-up Mentorship, Spanish Translator, Foster & Hospice for Animal Rescue Groups.

JOHN VELEZ FOR BALANCE

There is an opportunity for REAL BALANCE in Oregon. My goal is to listen to everyone’s concerns, find balance and advocate common-sense policies that will help our Small Businesses, Cities, School Districts, Veterans, and the people that live, work, and care about our District.

PROTECTING THE COMMUNITY

I will strongly support our First Responders, who compassionately keep our communities safe. I will advocate for sound policies that keep us safe while also expecting the funds we use for mental health and drug addiction to be audited annually for results. We need practical, proven methods to keep our community safe while providing for those in need who genuinely want help.

LOCAL CONTROL AND STANDARDS FOR EDUCATION

There needs to be a check and balance in our education system, and that is local control of our school boards. Radical Democrats in Salem should not be dictating what our local school boards can handle themselves. I will also push for achievable standards in our education system and push back on bad education policies. We need to make our kids smarter!

SUPPORTING SMALL LOCAL BUSINESS

I will be a fierce advocate in helping them succeed. As a small business owner myself, I understand the challenges of many people here in our communities. We all win with a strong core of small local businesses and manufacturing.

Endorsed by

Senate Republican Leader Tim Knopp

State Senator Kim Thatcher

Join us – velezfororegon.com

(This information furnished by Velez for Oregon.)

 

Steve Bates

Occupation: Retired Executive and Small Business Owner

Occupational Background: Founder and CEO, Oregon Fire & Police Equipment Co.- Former Managing Partner, Stephen L. Bates Enterprises, LLC.- Former Sales Representative/Sales Supervisor, Western Fire Equipment Co. – Former Sales Supervisor and District Marketing Manager, Curtis Industries, Inc.

Educational Background: Barstow Union High School

Prior Governmental Experience: Boring Community Planning Organization

Community Involvement:

  • President, Vietnam War Memorial Fund
  • Secretary, Boring, Oregon Foundation
  • Chair, Committee on Memorials & Remembrance – Affiliated with Vietnam Veterans of America

Steve Bates for Oregon Senate District 26

A longtime community volunteer and leader, Steve has led efforts to honor veterans throughout Oregon and put Boring, Oregon on the map through international partnerships. He has been involved with the state legislature over the past several years, successfully promoting legislation for our veterans and his community. His top issues include safe communities, bringing accountability to state government, finding solutions for traffic congestion and reducing regulatory burdens faced by businesses.

Endorsements:

  • Senator Alan Olsen, Senate District 20 (Retired)
  • Stefani Carlson, Canby School Board Director
  • Fire Chief Jack Snook, Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue (Retired)
  • Mayor Sean Drinkwine, City of Estacada
  • Mayor Stan Pulliam, City of Sandy
  • Captain Vladimir Lomen, United States Army (Retired)
  • Laurie Smallwood, City of Sandy City Council
  • Sergeant Lynn Schoenfeld, Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office (Retired)
  • Commissioner Mark K. Shull, Clackamas County
  • Councilor Joel Litkie, City of Estacada
  • Councilor Carl Exner, City of Sandy
  • Sheriff Bob Skipper, Mutnomah County (Retired)
  • Dr. Jonathan Rhue, Oregon Trail Clinic
  • Paul Drechsler, Owner, Boring Bark & Landscape Materials and Cat’s Moon Coffee
  • Director John McAdoo, Estacada Rural Fire District No. 69
  • Chair John Ludlow, Clackamas County (Retired)
  • Representative Sal Esquivel, Oregon House District 6 (Retired)
  • Director Jim Syring, Clackamas Fire District #1
  • Colonel Bert W, Key, United States Army (Retired), also Retired Sandy High School Educator
  • Parents’ Rights In Education, PAC

For more information, go to: http://electstevebates.com

(This information furnished by Friends of Steve Bates.)

 

Melissa Busch

Occupation: Registered Nurse

Occupational Background: Home Health Nurse Case Manager, Board Vice-President of Open Adoption & Family Services, Board Member of United Way of Columbia County

Educational Background: Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Bachelor of Arts in Religious Studies

Prior Governmental Experience: Columbia County Medical Reserve Corps, State Emergency Registry of Volunteers in Oregon

Melissa Busch: Fighting for stronger, healthier communities

Melissa understands the challenges our communities face because she sees them every day in the lives of her patients. As a nurse and working mother, she knows the obstacles that stand in the way of good health and the quality of life that everyone deserves.

Melissa will lead with the same care and compassion she brings to her patients day-in and day-out. We can trust her to stand up for our rural and coastal communities.

Melissa knows small businesses and working families are the backbone of our community, from Tillamook to Astoria to Scappoose.

In Salem, Melissa will fight for:

  • Access to comprehensive healthcare for all Oregonians
  • Affordable and workforce housing solutions
  • Expanded childcare and eldercare
  • High-quality K-12 education for all children
  • Investment in higher education, career technical education, apprenticeship and trade programs

We Stand with Melissa:

US Senator Jeff Merkley

Oregon AFL-CIO

Oregon Nurses’ Association

Oregon Education Association

Planned Parenthood PAC of Oregon

Pro-choice Oregon PAC

WINPAC

IBEW Local 48

APANO

Basic Rights Oregon Equality PAC

Oregon League of Conservation Voters

Working Families Party of Oregon

SEIU Oregon

Rachel Armitage, Senator

Janeen Sollman, Senator

Elizabeth Steiner Hayward MD, Senator

Rachel Prusak, Representative

Casey Kulla, County Commissioner

Kathryn Harrington, Washington County Commission Chair

Beverly Stein, Former Representative and County Commission Chair

Joan Herman, Astoria City Councilor

Nadia Gardner, Clatsop County Planning Commission Chair

Sierra Lauder, Tillamook Urban Renewal Agency, Coast Real Estate Professionals

Borton Law, Small Business Owner

Debbie Boothe-Schmidt, Small Business Owner

Heather Howard, Small Business Owner

Emilia Ponti, Cloud Cap Farm, Small Business Owner

Mick Taylor Appraisal, Small Business Owner

www.melissafororegon.com

(This information furnished by Melissa for Oregon.)

 

Gary Bucholtz

Christine Goodwin

Occupation: Business Owner, State Representative

Occupational Background: Teacher, Small Business Owner

Educational Background: Portland State University, B.S. Education

Prior Governmental Experience: State Representative, Douglas County Commissioner, Planning Commissioner, Parks Advisory Board, Umpqua Community College Foundation Board, School Board Chair

ABOUT CHRISTINE GOODWIN

Chris has been a resident of southern Oregon for over 40 years. She was a teacher at Roseburg High School before opening and operating Oregon South Fitness. Her next venture was the successful SoCo Coffee Company operated out of the building that she and her husband built for his Optometry practice. She is the Chief Financial Officer of that practice, and has always stayed actively involved in our community.

FIGHTING FOR SOUTHERN OREGON

Chris believes the heart of our community is small business. She opposes burdensome regulations and excessive taxation. Creating an environment where businesses can grow will keep southern Oregon thriving. Chris will continue to fight for the traditional values that we all share. She stands up for life, small business, gun rights, law enforcement, timber & agriculture, and school choice.

DON’T PORTLAND OUR OREGON

Chris pushes back against big-city policies that disproportionately give resources and influence to Portland.

BACKING LAW ENFORCEMENT

Chris supports law enforcement and will continue to fight against any efforts to weaken our police. She is grateful that our community values our police and sheriffs and does not tolerate lawlessness and rioting.

EFFECTIVE WILDFIRE MANAGEMENT

We must responsibly manage our natural resources to rebuild a robust economy and protect our working lands. Annual wildfires diminish our quality of life, and threaten one of our greatest commodities. Christine will continue to work on positive reforms for managing our forests and fighting wildfires.

ENDORSED BY

Oregon Right to Life

Oregon Gun Owners

Oregon Farm Bureau

Coalition for a Healthy Oregon

Oregon Optometric Physicians Association

Representative Duane Stark

Oregon House Republican Leader

Alek Skarlatos

WWW.CHRISTINEGOODWINFOROREGON.COM

(This information furnished by Christine Goodwin.)

 

Chelsea King

Occupation: Chair, West Linn-Wilsonville School Board; Small Business Owner; Mom

Occupational Background: College Instructor, Conflict Mediator

Educational Background: Portland State University, Communication Studies, BS, MS

Prior Governmental Experience: West Linn-Wilsonville School Board, 2015-Present; West Linn-Wilsonville Budget Committee, 2014- 2015

Community Service: Feed the Hungry, 2020- Present; Co-Founder, Wilsonville Alliance for Inclusive Communities 2018- Present; PTA President, Lowrie Primary, 2012- 2014; Oregon Local Leader of the Year, 2014

Chelsea King: Listening to our community – and delivering.

Oregon public schools changed my life. They’re where I experienced stability and opportunity. Investing in our schools is crucial for our future. That’s why I’ve worked for our schools for 13 years.

Today, our schools are ground zero for political battles, losing sight of students. Not on my watch. Elected Chair of our school board unanimously by a politically divided board, I’ve brought people together in contentious times. Real progress for students includes:

  • A K-12 Spanish-Immersion program and Career and Technical High School – innovative programs to prepare students for success.
  • Increasing school counselors and psychologists as kids face record mental health needs.
  • Working with parents, educators and administrators to make our district the first in the area to return to in-person instruction. Safely.
  • Raising graduation rates to 99%.

As a small business owner and mom of three public school students, I know Oregonians are stretched thin. In the Senate, I’ll put division aside, work hard, fight for our public schools and:

  • Enforce paid leave, affordable child care, fair pay.
  • Combat climate change and protect Oregon’s waterways.
  • Protect full access to healthcare – including mental health and reproductive freedom.

Endorsements Include:

Former Representative Margaret Doherty
Former Senator Ginny Burdick

Oregon Education Association
Women’s Investment Network PAC
Planned Parenthood PAC of Oregon
Pro-Choice Oregon

Representative Dacia Grayber
Representative Rachel Prusak
Representative Andrea Salinas
King City Mayor Jaimie Fender
King City Councilor Shawna Thompson

International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 48
Pacific Northwest Council of Carpenters
Joint Council of Teamsters

www.ChelseaKingForOregon.com

(This information furnished by Chelsea King for Oregon.)

 

Aaron Woods

Occupation: Clackamas Community College Board

Occupational Background: U.S. Army; Xerox; Tektronix

Educational Background: Marylhurst College, B.A. & M.A.

Prior Governmental Experience: Wilsonville Planning Commission; Wilsonville Arts, Culture, and Heritage Strategy Task Force

AARON WOODS: EXTENDING A HAND TO HELP OTHERS

Aaron grew up in a working family on the south side of Chicago. A community organization helped him attend a tech-oriented high school. That training and service in the U.S. Army prepared him for a successful career – including induction to the national Tech Hall of Fame. Since retiring, he’s dedicated his life to uplifting others.

BUILDING SAFE, SUCCESSFUL, AND WELCOMING COMMUNITIES

Aaron will make sure our communities are places where families and residents can succeed and thrive. Aaron will fight for:

A Home for Everyone: Shelter and services to help people experiencing homelessness; Housing affordability

Strengthening Healthcare: Lowering costs; Ensuring access; Reducing racial disparities

Protecting Our Environment: Prepare for climate-related hazards like wildfires and extreme weather; Protect our air and water

Pathways to Good Jobs: Expanded apprenticeships; CTE education; Workforce training for high-paying jobs

Services for Seniors: Supports to help people age at home; Identity theft protection; Technology literacy programs

An Equitable Future: Dismantle discrimination; Ensure accessible, responsive government for all people

“We all agree: Aaron is the advocate we need in the Senate. We’ve worked with him to expand access to housing and strengthen our local community college.” Wilsonville Mayor Julie Fitzgerald, Tigard-Tualatin School Board Chair Maureen Wolf, and Wilsonville-West Linn School Board Member Betty Reynolds

AARON IS SUPPORTED BY:

SEIU Local 503 & 49
PCUN Farmworkers Union
American Federation of Teachers, Oregon
Oregon School Employees Association
Oregon League of Conservation Voters
The Mother PAC
Planned Parenthood PAC of Oregon
Pro-Choice Oregon PAC
APANO
Bill Bradbury, Former Secretary of State
Charlotte Lehan, Wilsonville City Councilor
Dr. Marvin Lynn, Tigard-Tualatin Schools Vice Chair
Ken Gibson, Former King City Mayor
Jeff Reardon, State Representative, District 48
Travis Nelson, State Representative
Mark Hass, State Senator

(This information furnished by Friends of Aaron Woods.)

 

Paul J Romero Jr

Rank of Life Scout with Troop 28 in Prineville, Oregon, 1984

American Legion Boys State Representative, July 1983

Forest Firefighter for Oregon State Forestry summer of ’85.

Funded my own college efforts, attended Texas State Technical Institute (College), Waco, Texas, Work towards an AA in Instrumentation Technology, Worked three part-time jobs while attending.

US Navy, Recruit Training Command Orlando, FL, Recruit and Yeoman for 85 man Company , C052. Entered service Dec 1985.

Secured a Topsecret SCI Security Clearance based on a Special Background Investigation with polygraph and attended Cryptologic Technician Communications “A” and “C” schools at Naval Technical Training Center Corry Station, Pensacola, FL. Honor Graduate, and selected as the 50,000th CT to graduate from NTTC Corry Station.

Ten years honorable service in the US Navy stationed in NSGA Rota, Spain, DIRSUP; JUSMMAT/TLO Ankara, Turkey; NSGA Skaggs Island Sonoma, CA; USS Hue CIty Mayport, FL; VQ-2 Sigonella, Sicily. Spent time on the following ships in the Meditteranean, Red Sea and Persian Gulf: USS Nimitz CVN-68, USS Saratoga CV-60, USS Wainwright CG-28, USS Richard K. Turner CG-20, USS Bainbridge CGN-25, Attained the rank of E-6, Petty Officer 1st Class. Crossed the Equator and traversed the Suez Canal and Panama Canal twice.

Medals & Ribbons earned: Joint Service Achievement Medal, Navy Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, (2x) Navy Good Conduct Medal, Meritorious Unit Commendation, Navy Battle “E” Ribbon, (3X) Sea Service Ribbon, (2X) Overseas Service Ribbon.

Completed Bachelor of Science in Workforce Education & Development from Southern Illinois University through satellite campuses on various military installations, Dec 2010.

Work towards Bachelor of Science Double Major in Mechanical Engineering and Mathematics from the University of Louisiana Lafayette.

University of Louisiana Rugby Team, Ragin’ Cajuns. Two years at first string Tighthead Prop.

Following my 10 year military career, in no particular order, I worked as: Car Salesman; Investment Executive w/ PaineWebber; Special Coatings Business Owner; Outside Sales Engineer; Project Manager; Materials Coordinator; Generalist in Appliance Repair; Fence Builder; Building Maintenance; Handyman; and now, after the culmination of a lifetime of experiences, CEO of Youwalk Today, Inc.