Susan Sokol Blosser Enters Race for State Representative Against Jim Weidner

 

Businesswoman ready to help re-invent Oregon’s economy and create jobs
 
Dayton farmer and small businesswoman Susan Sokol Blosser filed the necessary forms with the Oregon Secretary of State Tuesday to become a candidate for State Representative in House District 24. The Yamhill County Democrat will take on first-term incumbent Republican Jim Weidner.
 
“For nearly four decades, my life, my business, and my family have been deeply rooted in Yamhill County,” Sokol Blosser said. “Now, I’m ready to serve my neighbors and create a strong, independent future for the state we all love.”
 
A pioneer of Oregon’s wine industry, Susan Sokol Blosser planted her first vines in the Dundee Hills in 1971. She managed her family’s orchards and vineyards for 27 years. She also worked as a teacher, served on the Dayton school board and raised her three children in Yamhill County.
 
“I’m not a politician. I never have been. I’m a business person and a farmer,” Sokol Blosser stated. “I think Oregon needs more of that perspective in the legislature.”
 
“I wasn’t planning to run for office, but like many Oregonians I’ve become extremely concerned about what’s happening to our economy, our environment and our future.”
 
Sokol Blosser said she plans to focus on helping re-invent Oregon’s economy to create good jobs that can support families.
 
“Reinventing Oregon’s economy will depend heavily on how well we educate our young people from pre-school all the way through college,” Sokol Blosser commented. “I’m convinced we can only succeed if Oregon leads the nation in the growth of new sustainable businesses that create good paying jobs and protect our natural resources.”
 
Susan Sokol Blosser believes Oregon can’t afford politics as usual anymore. “Too many politicians don’t even seem to be able to ask the right questions,” she said. “They’re more interested in finger-pointing and partisan bickering than in finding new ways to move forward.”
 
“We need a new Representative in District 24 who will bring independent, balanced judgment to Salem,” Susan Sokol Blosser concluded. “I’m ready to work with committed leaders from both parties to help get us out of this economic crisis and on the road to a better future.”

Will Boettner to Mount Strong Challenge in House District 59

As posted today on BlueOregon:

By Jack Lorts of Fossil, Oregon. Jack is the mayor of Fossil, the chair of the Democratic Party in Wheeler County, and is the former chair of the DPO's Rural Caucus.

As the deadline for filing approaches for candidates running for Oregon legislative seats, we are learning of more and more exciting candidates. Here in the always winnable Oregon HD-59, encompassing The Dalles, Madras, John Day and the Fossil/Condon areas, we have an exciting challenger to the entrenched establishment.

Fossil resident Will Boettner has announced that he has filed to run against Republican incumbent Rep. John Huffman of The Dalles, a former radio station executive. Boettner is a long time community activist, chair of the Wheeler County Planning Commission chair of the DPO Rural Caucus, vice-chair of Wheeler County Democrats, and more. Boettner is an articulate and outspoken advocate for rural issues. As a professional geologist, he brings a wealth of experience in water resource and land management to the task at hand. Another cardinal issues for Boettner is rural health care which he knows first hand. His wife Debbie is a physicians assistant in Fossil and the driving force behind Fossil's well-known fitness program.

House District 59 has always been one of the most winnable districts east of the Cascades and it looks to be in play again this year, just as it has for the past ten years -- only more so. Boettner is a likeable, intelligent, charmastic guy who is doing his homework and is going to offer the voters of District 59 a real choice. The Republicans are going to know they have a tiger on their hands this time. This is a race to really follow!

Dr. Rodney Orr Announces House Run Focusing on Rebuilding Rural Oregon Economy

Family practice physician Dr. Rodney Orr announced he’s running for the Oregon House of Representatives in District 18.

"My medical practice has been a good training ground for running for office,” said Dr. Orr. “I have the privilege of getting to know people from all walks of life -- farmers, small business people, college kids. Their hopes are my hopes and their worries keep me up at night too.”

Dr. Orr’s top priority is making sure that Oregon’s small towns get the economic help they need to rebuild their economies. “Life in Oregon’s small towns has been getting tougher and tougher over the last few years and it’s time that our economies are as much of a priority for the Legislature as Portland is,” said Orr. “Silverton, Molalla, and every other small town in Oregon have plenty of talented, hardworking people. With the right investments, our local economies can blossom again.”

As a doctor, Orr also has a unique perspective on how to make health care more affordable. After decades of seeing medical emergencies wreck his patients’ finances, Dr. Orr places reducing costs at the top of his health care agenda.

Dr. Rodney Orr has been a family practice physician for thirty years. He received his medical training at OHSU and family practice residency at Northern Colorado Medical Center. Dr. Orr was born and raised in Oregon and lives in Silverton with his Wife Dr. Shandra Greig and has four children.

Toby Forsberg files for State Representative in HD 39

Says district needs independent leader focused on jobs

February 25, 2010 Democrat Toby Forsberg today filed the necessary forms with the Oregon Secretary of State to become a candidate for State Representative in House District 39. Forsberg narrowly lost the seat in 2008 in one of the closest House races in the state.

“I am running for State Representative for many of the same reasons that influenced me last time,” said Forsberg. “With the severe economic crisis we face, I think the need for new ideas and independent leadership is more urgent than ever.”

“We’ve all seen that business as usual isn’t working anymore,” Forsberg continued. “We have one of the highest unemployment rates in the nation. More and more people are losing their homes. And partisan fighting isn’t solving our problems.”

“We need a new Representative who will take an independent, bipartisan approach,” Forsberg said. “We need someone who will reach across the aisle to get good things done for our economy and for middle class families. That’s why I’m running.”

Toby Forsberg, 39, works in marketing for Clackamas County. He has a background in economic development and is a former small business owner and credit union executive. He and his wife live in Oregon City with their 6 year-old son, Devon.

"Toby Forsberg is an incredible community and business leader and will make an amazing State Representative,” said Oregon House Speaker Dave Hunt. “Toby’s fresh perspective and strong ideas will challenge our state to do its best for Oregon’s families. He has my enthusiastic endorsement.”

“I’ll be sharply focused on one important issue as the next Representative from House District 39,” Forsberg concluded. “For me, it will all be about jobs. Jobs that can support a family. Jobs that can pay a mortgage. Jobs that can turn around this economic crisis and move our state forward. We need a Representative who will make our economic recovery his number one job.”