Candidate Communications Strategy

Sample Candidate Statements for the Voters’ Pamphlet

Sample candidate statements from the November 8, 2022 Oregon General Election Voters’ Pamphlet.

US Representative, 3rd District Earl Blumenauer candidate statement

Representative Blumenauer used headings, bullet points and friendly sign-off to summarize the main points of his candidate statement:

The last few years have been difficult as our community continues to deal with the pandemic, global inflation, a hous- ing affordability crisis, worsening climate disruption, and the disastrous decision to overturn Roe v. Wade.

Despite these challenges, we are standing strong and getting things done.

• Passed the largest investment in climate action in our nation’s history;

• Allowed Medicare to negotiate the cost of prescription drugs and penalized companies for outrageous drug price hikes;

• Enacted bipartisan gun control legislation;

• Assured corporations pay their fair share with a 15% minimum corporate tax;

• Made polluters pay by reinstating the Superfund tax;

• Capped the cost of insulin at $35 a month;

• Accelerated the production of wind and solar projects and made it cheaper and easier to purchase electric vehicles;

• Provided more than $1 trillion in historic investments for bridges, transit, water, sewer, and broadband; and

• Eliminated tariffs on infant formula to help weather a nationwide shortage.

But there is still more to do.

• Reassert the federal government’s responsibility in providing affordable housing and helping those experiencing mental health and addiction issues;

• Create an equitable and fair tax system that generates opportunities for Americans and funds our future;

• Reimagine our food and farm policies to enhance Americans’ health and help family farmers keep farm- land in production;

• Fight to protect democracy;

• Finally end the failed war on drugs; and

• Ensure that all people have the same reproductive freedom that Oregonians have. We have made progress where many thought impossible. It’s critical to keep up the fight. We are all in this together.

With your vote, we can and we will succeed.

Courage,

Earl

Candidate for US Representative, 5th District, Jamie McLeod-Skinner

McLeod-Skinner used a quote from a trusted resource, headings, bullet points and linked to her website for more information in her candidate statement:

“In Congress, Jamie will be an independent leader who can be trusted to stand up for Oregon’s hard- working families, seniors and communities -- not corporate special interests or extremists.” - Senator Ron Wyden

A VOICE FOR ALL OF US

Jamie’s mom worked three jobs to feed their family. A small business owner who worked her way through college and law school, Jamie understands how hard it can be to make ends meet. In Congress she will battle inflation and stand up to anyone–even her own party–to deliver for Oregonians:

• Reduce the outrageous cost of healthcare and all prescription drugs.

• Increase affordable housing.

• Fight price gouging by billionaire corporations that drives inflation.

• Protect our water, natural resources, agriculture, and rural economies.

KEEPING US SAFE

As City Manager, Jamie balanced budgets and increased police funding, training, and accountability. Jamie led wildfire recovery efforts, helping communities prepare for and respond to emergencies. She will tackle the climate crisis that is fueling devastating wildfires and drought.

DEFENDING OUR FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS

Endorsed by Planned Parenthood Action Fund, Jamie will take on extremists like her opponent — who would ban access to abortion, even before a woman knows she’s pregnant — and keep government out of our personal medical decisions.

FIGHTING CORRUPTION

Jamie will work for us – not powerful DC insiders or party bosses. That’s why, unlike her opponent, she refuses to take money from corporate special interests and will vote for iron-clad ethics rules, including banning Congressmembers from trading stocks.

BROAD-BASED SUPPORT

Nominated by the Democratic, Independent and Working Families Parties

Supported by Democrats, Republicans, unions and organizations throughout our communities.

See the entire list: JamieforOregon.com

State Senator, 20th District Mark Meek

Meek started with a strong personal story, included multiple quotes from constituents, added a long list of endorsements and linked to his website in his candidate statement:

Mark Meek understands the struggles facing Oregon fami- lies. Mark was homeless and hungry for periods as a child - he knows firsthand how soaring prices and homelessness are hurting Oregon families. That’s why he’s fighting to reduce costs: investing in affordable housing, capping prescription drug prices, and opposing tolling. The issues facing Oregon families are personal to Mark.

“As a mother, Mark Meek is the only person I trust to keep our families safe. Mark will fight for more funding for law enforcement, and as a veteran he knows how dangerous weapons of war can be. That’s why Mark also supports common-sense gun safety measures, such as keeping people convicted of stalking or domestic abuse from owning guns”.

- Heather Bonney, Mother (Milwaukie)

“Some candidates talk. Mark Meek delivers. Mark is getting things done in Salem to bring down costs and build more affordable housing - and as a local home builder, I know I can count on him to do the job”.

- Mark Beirwagen, Home Builder (Oregon City)

“Mark Meek will stand up for our seniors and continue fighting pharmaceutical companies to stop price hikes for prescription drugs. Mark is also the only candidate in this race who will protect access to birth control and defend a woman’s right to choose”.

- Honey Robbins, Family Nurse Practitioner (Oregon City)

Endorsers:

U.S. Senator Ron Wyden

Oregon AFL-CIO

Planned Parenthood PAC of Oregon Pro-Choice Oregon PAC

Oregon Education Association - PAC

Stand for Children

Oregon State Building & Construction Trades Council Basic Rights Oregon Equality PAC

Oregon League of Conservation Voters Denyse McGriff, Oregon City Mayor

David Emami, Happy Valley City Councilor www.VoteMarkMeek.com

US Representative, 6th District, Andrea Salinas

Salinas started with her story, then used boldface headings to highlight the main points of her campaign, included endorsements and linked to her website for more information in her candidate statement:

As the daughter of a Mexican immigrant who worked in the fields and served in Vietnam to become a U.S. citizen, Andrea knows change can happen in a generation through hard work. As a mom and State Representative, Andrea’s driven by a commitment to create opportunities for all Oregonians and build a stronger future for her daughter’s generation.

Andrea’s been on the frontlines fighting for:

AFFORDABLE HEALTH CARE – When prescription drug prices were getting out-of-control, Andrea held the pharmaceutical industry accountable and passed legislation that lowered drug costs for Oregonians.

TACKLE HOMELESSNESS CRISIS – Andrea knows we must tackle our homelessness crisis head on. She believes it’s time to invest in affordable housing, expand mental health services, fund addiction treatment, and grow economic opportunity.

BUILDING AN ECONOMY THAT WORKS FOR ALL – Andrea will fight for hard-working Oregonians, not big corpora- tions. She helped increase the minimum wage and passed paid family and medical leave. She’ll work for a more fair tax system, so the rich pay their share and working people aren’t over-burdened. She’s committed to lowering costs for families and increasing opportunities for our communities.

REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS – Andrea helped pass the nation’s strongest reproductive rights law so Oregon women have the right to choose even after the Supreme Court decision. In Congress, Andrea will fight to protect access to abortion.

PROTECTING OUR LAND, AIR, WATER – Andrea knows we need urgent solutions to our climate crisis. She has stood up to corporate polluters to reduce pollution, protected clean air and water, and put Oregon on a path to 100% clean energy.

Endorsed by:

Planned Parenthood Action Fund

Oregon League of Conservation Voters Oregon AFL-CIO

SEIU Oregon

Oregon Education Association - PAC Independent Party of Oregon

Ron Wyden

And more! www.AndreaSalinasForOregon.com

Governor Tina Kotek

Kotek started off by describing her background and qualifications then described challenges the state was facing, then used purposeful language and many boldface statements to highlight her plan to get results, included a quote from a trusted resources, endorsements and linked to her website for more information in her candidate statement:

Proven Leader Ready to Tackle Oregon’s Serious Challenges

I spent the last 20 years working to make things better for Oregonians. At Oregon Food Bank and Children First, I fought to create more opportunities for working families, and then as Oregon’s House Speaker – I passed the strongest abortion access law in the country, raised the minimum wage, and guaranteed paid sick leave for workers.

Oregon is facing major challenges - homelessness, crime, addiction, skyrocketing costs, and wildfires. We need a Governor who can fix problems and will always be on the side of working people.

I’ll be a force for positive change and deliver results. As Governor, I will:

• Defend and expand access to reproductive health care.

• Work to reduce gun violence by increasing the age to buy assault weapons from 18 to 21.

• Take on our homelessness crisis by increasing street outreach teams, expanding managed shelters, improving access to mental health services, and building more housing.

• Fight back against the drug cartels in Oregon and deliver on our promise to expand access to addiction treatment and recovery services statewide.

• Make sure our schools fund career and technical education, improve graduation rates, and support student mentalhealth.

• Fight climate change and create good-paying jobs in clean energy. “Reproductive freedom is under attack in every single state. Tina Kotek is the onlycandidate for Governor we trust to defend our right to control our own bodies.” -Planned Parenthood PAC of Oregon Executive Director An Do TINA IS THE ONLY CANDIDATE FOR GOVERNOR ENDORSED BY: Planned Parenthood PAC of Oregon Everytown for Gun Safety Action Fund Oregon League of Conservation Voters Oregon Nurses Association Oregon State Building & Construction Trades Council U.S. Senators Ron Wyden & Jeff Merkley

More endorsements: TinaForOregon.com