State of Oregon Archives: on Principles & Values
Bob Niemeyer:
Separating church & state doesn't pull God out of government
We must begin this discussion of the Separation of Church and State with "God". The highest to lowest authority is God's Word, God, God's church, the Ordained, the Flock, and finally the People. Six levels of authority that the founding fathers used to
pattern this Nation after.[In government], the highest to lowest authority is Independence, Constitution, Government, the Elected, the Political Parties, and finally the People. Six levels of authority that have been around since the founding of this
Nation.
The Separation of Church and State has nothing to with pulling God out of government or preventing religion from being part of Government. The Separation is nothing more than two separate sets of authority to believe in. There is no difference
between what your faith believes to be true and what U.S. citizens believe to be Independence. The only difference between God's Word and Independence is that Independence gives you the freedom to believe in what you believe to be the truth.
Source: 2016 Oregon Gubernatorial campaign website, BobNiemeyer.com
Oct 9, 2015
Bud Pierce:
Wife killed in tragic traffic accident
Selma Pierce, a community leader and the wife of 2016 Republican gubernatorial candidate Bud Pierce, died Tuesday night after she was hit by an SUV in West Salem. She was struck around 5 p.m. on Doaks Ferry Road NW near Hidden Valley Drive NW,
according to Salem police. The driver of the Chevrolet SUV that hit Pierce remained at the scene and has cooperated with investigators.
Her husband, Dr. Bud Pierce, who was the Republican nominee for governor during Oregon's 2016 special election, released a statement on his Facebook page. "Selma Pierce, the glue of the Pierce family, an angel of a person, the only woman that
I have ever loved, died this evening in a sudden and tragic accident. We cannot believe that she has left us, but we are comforted in the knowledge that she is with God, and we will see her again."
Source: KGW-8 NBC-TV on 2022 Oregon Gubernatorial race
Dec 1, 2020
Bud Pierce:
From childhood, wanted to become a doctor
Dr. Bud Pierce is a pioneering figure in cancer care in the Willamette Valley. He is highly regarded by patients and peers, known for his commitment to excellence, and driven by the constant desire to learn more.
Dr. Pierce's lifetime dream, from his earliest childhood memory, was to become a doctor. With a medical career that now spans more than four decades, he has cared for thousands of patients.
Source: Oregon Oncology biography for 2022 Oregon Governor race
Jan 6, 2021
Bud Pierce:
Yanked Trump endorsement; history of working with Democrats
He yanked his endorsement of Donald Trump. Pierce has a history of working with Democrats:
He's given at least $35,000 to Democratic legislative candidates since 2010, including $17,500 to Senate President Peter Courtney (D-Salem).
Source: Willamette Week on 2022 Oregon Governor race
Sep 20, 2016
Casey Kulla:
Need marginalized people present at all levels of power
Historically marginalized people need to be present at all levels of power. No decisions should be made without meaningful input from those most impacted.
The work of culturally appropriate advocates needs to be recognized and compensated and those with the most power must amplify the most marginalized voices.
Source: 2021 OR Governor campaign website KullaForOregon.com
Aug 30, 2021
Casey Kulla:
Stop movement away from democracy & toward extremism
He hopes to play a role in healing the wounds of division should he be elected governor and find common solutions to common problems facing the state. "I feel like our state and country are on a knife's edge where we have a movement away from
democracy and toward extremism," Kulla said. "I think we need, as a community and state, to step up and do what's necessary to stop that. Everything has become a point of division and I believe I'm someone who can bridge those divides."
Source: The Portland Tribune on 2022 Oregon Gubernatorial race
Jul 6, 2021
Gordon Harold Smith:
Works often with Sen. Wyden (D-OR) & Sen. Obama (D-IL)
Smith made frequent reference to his ability to work both sides of the political aisle. He often cited his ability to work with Sen. Ron Wyden, his Democratic counterpart representing Oregon. He said he also has taken on Bush on several issues over the
years and has worked with Sen. Barack Obama, the Democratic nominee for president. But Merkley said he has been endorsed by Wyden. "Sen. Wyden needs a partner in Jeff Merkley," he said. Merkley said Smith has voted with Bush 90% of the time.
Source: 2008 Oregon Senate Debate, in Southern Ore. Mail Tribune
Oct 14, 2008
Jason Beebe:
My country needs a patriot in Washington DC
I was born here in Oregon, I left and fought for my country in Iraq. When I came back home to Prineville ten years ago, I immediately knew my community needed me. I ran for city council and am now Mayor of my hometown.
My state needs a warrior and my country needs a patriot in Washington D.C.--what we don't need is 6 more years of Ron Wyden.
Source: 2021 OR Senate campaign website BeebeForOregon.com
Aug 29, 2021
Jeff Merkley:
I've lived a pretty unconventional life
In his mid-20s, Jeff Merkley hopped a bus with a friend in Los Angeles and headed south for what would become a hairy, life-changing journey through revolution-torn Central America.
Merkley raced midget motorcycles as a child, and once owned--and crashed--a Harley. He roomed with an impoverished family in Ghana as a teen, hitchhiked across Israel as a young man and went on, as he puts it, to help shut down one of
Portland's worst crack alleys. "I've lived," he says, "a pretty unconventional life."Yet for all that, he has become best known as the "establishment" candidate in a field of less-experienced upstarts. "I started this race unknown to Oregonians,"
Merkley says. "What they hear is ‘speaker of the House.' That sounds pretty uninteresting. There's no way to convey in a 30-second ad the history of your life."
Source: The Oregonian, "Oregon House speaker"
May 1, 2008
Jeff Merkley:
Endorsed by Sen. Wyden; I'll be his partner
Smith made frequent reference to his ability to work both sides of the political aisle. He often cited his ability to work with Sen. Ron Wyden, his Democratic counterpart representing Oregon. He said he also has taken on Bush on several issues over the
years and has worked with Sen. Barack Obama, the Democratic nominee for president. But Merkley said he has been endorsed by Wyden. "Sen. Wyden needs a partner in Jeff Merkley," he said. Merkley said Smith has voted with Bush 90% of the time.
Source: 2008 Oregon Senate Debate, in Southern Ore. Mail Tribune
Oct 14, 2008
Jo Rae Perkins:
Professional background as real estate and insurance agent
Jo Rae and her husband George, were married in 1978 and made their home in Albany, Oregon. They have 2 adult married children and 14 grandkids! Jo Rae's professional background includes experience as a real estate agent, personal banker,
financial advisor and insurance agent. She has owned her own financial planning business. Her husband George is a self-employed carpet installation contractor. She has also been active with several organizations over the years in the
Albany, Oregon, area. In the past, she was a member of Greater Albany Rotary, Beta Sigma Phi, founding chair of Mid-Willamette Women's Council of Realtors, Willamette Association of Realtors.
Jo Rae Perkins is a Main Street American who believes the US Constitution strongly and clearly spells out the role of the US Senate and the federal government."
Source: Ballotpedia.org on 2020 Oregon Senate race
May 20, 2020
Jo Rae Perkins:
Stands with Trump and QAnon
Perkins, who defeated three other candidates in a primary to be the Republican candidate, said in a now-deleted video: "I stand with President Trump. I stand with Q and the team. Thank you Anons, and thank you patriots. And together, we can save our
republic." The QAnon theory centers on an alleged government agent named "Q", whose top security clearance has provided insight into a deep-state conspiracy involving everyone from Hillary Clinton to special counsel Robert Mueller.
Source: The Guardian on 2020 Oregon Senate race
May 21, 2020
Jo Rae Perkins:
I'm hard-working & hard-hitting with Heartland Values
You deserve a U.S. Senator in DC, who stands tall for their country and will deliver on their word; A "Main Street American" just like you. I am a hard-working, hard-hitting
Oregonian with Heartland Values and I take my vows very, very seriously. I pledge to honor my Oath of Office and keep all of my promises.
Source: 2020 Oregon Senate campaign website PerkinsForUSSenate.com
Aug 17, 2020
Jo Rae Perkins:
Supports "batty, corrosive" QAnon conspiracy theory
Perkins is an unreconstructed exponent of a batty and corrosive conspiracy theory running a longshot campaign that carries only political downside for Republicans. They should do what they can to distance themselves from her candidacy. Perkins uploaded
a video to Twitter in which she held up a sticker bearing a QAnon slogan and said, "I stand with Q and the team. Thank you Anons, and thank you patriots. And together, we can save our republic."
Source: National Review on 2020 Oregon Senate endorsement
May 23, 2020
Jo Rae Perkins:
Bummed that consultants made her take down QAnon video
Perkins told OPB in a lengthy interview that she regretted allowing her campaign consultants to take down a video she posted on primary election-night Tuesday in which she praised QAnon and said, "I stand with Q and the team."
"Am I bummed I took it down?" said Perkins, a semi-retired insurance agent from Albany, Oregon. "Yeah, I am really bummed. But I also hired a consultant whose job it is to 'protect me.'"
Source: Oregon Public Broadcasting on 2020 Oregon Senate race
May 22, 2020
Jo Rae Perkins:
Most of our laws are based on Biblical principles
Q: Do you promise to protect the freedom of Christians to share the Gospel and to practice Biblical principles?A: Yes.
Q: What does "separation of church and state" mean to you?
A: The federal government shall make no laws requiring how we are to
worship God. The federal government has no jurisdiction on the subject of religion and religious expression. This is to be left to the States and the people. It means the courts, public officials may not impose unreasonable restrictions on religious
free speech, students, educators. Most of our laws are based on Biblical principles, i.e. the 10 commandments.
Q: Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values?
A: I believe that Jesus of Nazareth is the Son of God. I believe
God speaks to everyone who listens, be it through dreams or "visions" or through that still, small inner voice we all hear at times. I believe the Bible is the infallible Word of God in written form.
Source: AFA iVoterGuide on 2020 Oregon Senate race
Nov 3, 2020
Jo Rae Perkins:
Posts pro-QAnon video, then says it's merely an info source
What really garnered the attention on Election Day was a now-deleted video where Perkins made references to QAnon, including saying that she stood with "Q" and holding up a QAnon sticker.The day after Perkins' video was posted,
her campaign released a statement saying that she was not a follower of QAnon. Perkins said that she uses QAnon message boards as merely a "source of information" posting articles from various media outlets, tweets and unclassified government documents.
Source: KVAL "Report for America" on 2022 Oregon Senate race
Oct 12, 2020
Jo Rae Perkins:
Was in DC for Trump rally, did not enter the Capitol
Perkins was among those in Washington D.C. Trump supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol. In multiple Facebook posts, Perkins was seen in D.C. marching along with fellow Trump supporters. "I removed myself because if there's going to be mayhem,
I'm not going to be in the middle of it," Perkins said. Perkins then asserted unsubstantiated claims that anti-fascists were at the Capitol, disguised as "patriots, so it made it look like it was us."
Source: KOIN-6 Portland CBS News on 2022 Oregon Senate race
Jan 7, 2021
John Kitzhaber:
36 years in government: state House; state Senate; Governor
I remember standing in this chamber in 1979--36 years ago--being sworn in as a freshman in the Oregon House of Representatives. And I remember the first time I sat on this dais 30 years ago as a newly elected Senate President in 1985. I have spent most
of my adult life in this building and I love it very much. I have just been sworn in for the very last time--what I would like to accomplish over the [next] four years--which will complete the arc of my political career.
Source: State of the State address to 2015 Oregon Legislature
Jan 12, 2015
Kevin Stine:
Separate church & state, but some leeway for societal norms
Q: Do you support or oppose the statement, "Keep God in the public sphere"?
A: Oppose. I believe in separation between church and state, but I give some leeway on matters that are societal norms.
Source: Email interview on 2016 Oregon Senate race with OnTheIssues
Jan 1, 2016
Kevin Stine:
Served in Navy for 9 years; on City Council for 1
Stine, 29, was elected to the city council in 2014. He said he was in the Navy for nine years, serving three submarine deployments. He is married and has a 2-year-old daughter.
He says he is studying political science at Southern Oregon University.
Source: The Oregonian on 2016 Oregon Senate race
Sep 21, 2015
Kevin Stine:
The Senate is full of multi-millionaires over the age of 60
Q: How will you try to reduce polarization in Congress so problems can be solved?
STINE: I served in the military, which has very strong diversity among its ranks. I have been able to work with everyone no matter the differences in background and style that we may have.
The United States Senate is among the least representative places in America. Despite having two members from every state, the Senate is full of multi-millionaires over the age of 60.
I will go the US Senate with an open mind and find the common ground needed to get legislation enacted to help Oregonians.
Source: League of Women Voters Guide to 2016 Oregon Senate race
Sep 9, 2016
Knute Buehler:
Freedom and new opportunities are bedrock GOP principles
Buehler's variation on the typical Republican isn't about bucking his party. I suspect it originates in his rural roots. Buehler seemed almost weary as he described the massive size and scope of government in Oregon and its need to shrink. "What's
good about the GOP is the focus on freedom and creating opportunities for people. Those really are the bedrock principles," said Buehler. "However, I think we do need more openness to new ideas and new people being involved in the party."
Source: Oregon Catalyst on 2018 Oregon Governor race
Apr 18, 2017
Mark Callahan:
Religious freedom is under attack by political correctness
Statement of Faith: I am a Christian and I believe in God. I believe in Christ and the Bible. As you may know, most of America's founding fathers publicly proclaimed their Christian faith. I am not shy about expressing my belief in God either.
I was raised in a family that was Protestant Christian. In our country, political correctness has taken over and become a means of division that plagues every aspect of our lives.
As Americans, we have been taught to "walk on eggshells" and be afraid of "offending" someone all in the name of political correctness. Our religious freedom is under attack by political correctness.
Those that claim to have been bullied in the past have become the bullies. In my opinion, political correctness will be the death of our great nation.
Source: 2016 Oregon Senate campaign website, CallahanForOregon.com
Oct 9, 2015
Mark Callahan:
God is guiding me to fight for the freedom of our country
Q: Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.Callahan: I am a Christian, I believe in God, and I have accepted our Lord Jesus into my heart as my Lord and Savior.
I have been baptized, and I feel that God is guiding me on my journey to fight for the freedom of our country, and restore it to the constitutional republic that it was founded to be.
Source: 2016 AFA Action iVoterGuide on Oregon House race
Nov 8, 2016
Mark Callahan:
Very conservative first-time office holder
Q: Considering all issues (social, economic, national security, etc.), which political philosophy best describes you?Callahan: Very Conservative
Q: Please defend your answer to the previous question by referencing your publicly available track record.
Source: 2016 AFA Action iVoterGuide on Oregon House race
Nov 8, 2016
Monica Wehby:
AdWatch: Parents trust her as a pediatric neurosurgeon
Monica Wehby features a patient whose child she helped as a pediatric neurosurgeon in a new emotional television ad. The ad, titled "Trust," runs a minute long and highlights the story of Lexi Liebelt, whose daughter needed reconstructive surgery
on her spinal cord shortly after she was born. In the ad, Liebelt tells the story of how Wehby helped her daughter that day:"She just hugged me and kissed my forehead and she said, 'It's gonna be okay sweetheart. I've got her and
I'm gonna see you in a couple hours,'" Liebelt recounts. "I gave her the most precious thing I had. I trusted her." A shot of Liebelt's daughter, now 12, flashes on the screen, with Wehby brushing her hair from her face, as
Liebelt touts the candidate for Senate. "Dr. Wehby would make an incredible senator. She will always do the right thing. She will act with integrity. All of Washington needs to be full of people like Dr. Wehby," she says.
Source: AdWatch by The Hill e-zine on 2014 Oregon Senate race
Apr 23, 2014
Monica Wehby:
Declined to debate on live TV in Senate primary
Wehby has turned down what would have been the only live televised debate of the primary race between her and state Rep. Jason Conger. Wehby rejected an offer to debate Conger on KGW TV in the last weeks of the race.KGW, in partnership with The
Oregonian, has for several years held several influential political debates that reach a statewide television audience, and it's been rare for candidates to refuse offers to participate. Said KGW's Executive News Director, "I can't remember the last time
it's happened" [that KGW was turned down].
Wehby's campaign manager said that Wehby had already agreed to another debate [that same day] before being approached by KGW, adding, "We have done 11-plus debates so far."
But Conger's campaign manager
dismissed most of those events as joint appearances before small crowds that included other candidates in the race. [There has been only one] head-to-head debate between the two [frontrunners], and its organizers did not allow the event to be recorded.
Source: The Oregonian on 2014 Oregon Senate race
Apr 30, 2014
Nicholas Kristof:
At NY Times focused on human rights, global health issues
The son of a refugee who came to Oregon in 1952, Kristof attended and graduated from Yamhill public schools, landing his first reporting job as a high school student at the McMinnville News-Register.
As a reporter, managing editor and columnist for The New York Times for more than 30 years, his news stories and columns illuminated human rights and global health issues here and abroad.
Source: 2021 Oregon Governor campaign website NickForOR.com
Oct 27, 2021
Nicholas Kristof:
Won two Pulitzers: for Tiananmen and genocide in Darfur
I got the job of a lifetime, working for The New York Times, and while there I met Sheryl--another journalist from an immigrant family. Our work at The New York Times took us around the world, and in 1990 we became the first married couple to
win a Pulitzer Prize for journalism for our reporting of the 1989 Tiananmen democracy movement in China. I won another Pulitzer in 2006 for coverage of the genocide in Darfur.
Source: 2021 Oregon Governor campaign website NickForOR.com
Oct 27, 2021
Paul Romero:
The STATE shouldn't have undue influence over religion
Q: What does "separation of church and state" mean to you?A:
- This has more to do with the STATE not having undue influence over freedom of religion for Americans and basic 1st Amendment guaranteed rights.
- The other side of the coin is that
elected persons in power do not unduely [sic] target those of a specific belief system with the exception of if a belief system targets others physically.
- The Constitution is a reflection of the Judeo/Christian VALUES that birthed our country.
To ignore that as part of our ingrained culture is foley.
Q: Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values?A: I believe in God and the sacrifice of His Son Jesus Christ for all mankind. In this life there are the
Shepherds, the flock, the wolf and the sheep dog. I am the sheep dog. I defend and protect the flock and deal with the wolf as needed. That is my role and I feel as a US Senator I'll be able to do this on a grander scale.
Source: AFA iVoterGuide on 2020 Oregon Senate race
Nov 3, 2020
Ron Wyden:
FactCheck: No truth to rumors that Wyden lives in New York
Ron Wyden's campaign has been crying foul in recent days over a dishonest smear effort on behalf of his opponent, Jim Huffman. Republican officials, radio propagandists and campaign gossips have been quietly spreading the lie that Wyden doesn't live in
Oregon anymore. This is false, as The Oregonian's Charles Pope reported in a story last week. It is a lie revolving around Wyden, his wife, Nancy, their 2005 marriage and her role as co-proprietor of the famous Strand bookstore in New York City.
That this stays alive is mainly Huffman's fault for not calling efforts to inflate a non-issue into a persistent but baseless canard. Consider this Aug. 31 exchange, for example, between Huffman a radio show host:Q: Wyden's new wife, with whom he has
toddler twins--that they essentially live in New York?
Huffman: Well, I understand that he's got some real estate here in Oregon.
Q: Does he have a trailer somewhere?
Huffman: It could be.
Q: He does appear now more and more to be a carpetbagger.
Source: OregonLive.com coverage of 2010 Oregon Senate debate
Aug 31, 2010
Ron Wyden:
Give voice to those who often feel left out of the debate
Q: How will you try to reduce polarization in Congress so problems can be solved?WYDEN: Americans expect their representatives in Congress to solve problems and work together. My home is in Portland and I love Portland but I am the Senator for all of
Oregon. I take great pride in my commitment to visiting all 36 counties every year and giving voice to those who often feel left out of the debate. There are always going to be things you don't agree with others on, but to dwell on them is a waste
of time. That's why I've always worked to find common ground among my colleagues. The reality is in the Senate neither side has enough votes to have it their way. We face so many challenges--we can't afford partisan stalemates.
That's why I try to lead by example and invite my colleagues to find consensus without sacrificing core principles. Sometimes this means progress isn't as great as you hoped, but it's a foundation to build on.
Source: League of Women Voters Guide to 2016 Oregon Senate race
Sep 9, 2016
Tina Kotek:
A person of faith, I believe there's equality among us all
Kotek says she believes that Oregon and the U.S. can be a place where there's more fairness and equality. "I'm a person of faith," she says. Kotek grew up Roman Catholic but now attends the Episcopal Church. "I believe that there's equality among us
all. We don't need people who have so much money that everybody else has so little." The role of the government is to ensure that there aren't barriers in the way of allowing people to access opportunities to succeed, Kotek says.
Source: Eugene Weekly on 2022 Oregon Gubernatorial race
Nov 24, 2021
Betsy Johnson:
Confront prejudice and racism honestly and directly
The KKK had a strong influence in state politics for many years. Blacks, Asians, Native Americans, Hispanics, and Jews have faced discrimination and acts of intimidation and violence in our state, and still do today. I believe Oregon and
America have made important strides in overcoming our racist past, but prejudice and racism still exist. I will confront these issues honestly and directly to protect our citizens and help our state live up to our values.
Source: 2022 Oregon Gubernatorial campaign website RunBetsyRun.com
Oct 6, 2022
Betsy Johnson:
Democracy needs to stop being so contentious
If you want a better Oregon, I believe my candidacy represents a better way. Democracy needs to stop being so contentious. We need the parties to bring people together to get stuff done instead of running through our partisan tribal corners and just
poking at each other. We need an independent governor to make the parties work together for the common good.
Source: Canby Herald on 2022 Oregon Gubernatorial race
May 24, 2022
Jo Rae Perkins:
Called to "stop the coup d'état" of the 2020 election
Oregon Republican nominee Jo Rae Perkins has been a vocal proponent of the QAnon conspiracy theory. Perkins has also touted baseless conspiracy theories about the 2020 election--falsely proclaiming in December 2020 that "the Electoral College was
stolen," calling for a recount in November 2020 to "#StopCoupDeTat" (sic), and posting on Facebook in 2021 to push false claims about how the election was supposedly rigged.When CNN asked Perkins for comment for this article, and informed her that we
planned to mention that she has promoted false claims about the election being rigged against Trump, she responded in an email: "I will not answer your questions since you already have a skewed opinion without talking to me directly. How do you know the
claims are false?"
Perkins was on the steps of the Capitol during the insurrection of January 6, 2021. She has said she does not support the people who broke into the building, did not go inside and was there in part as a "citizen journalist."
Source: CNN on 2020 Election Denial in 2022 Oregon Senate race
Sep 15, 2022
Tina Kotek:
Oregon is a state that has allowed me to be myself
In 2013, Tina Kotek made history when she was elected as Oregon's Speaker of the House and became the first out lesbian speaker in any state house in the country.Kotek is also running to succeed Gov. Kate Brown (D), who is bisexual and became the
first out LGBTQ governor in the country when she was elected in 2014. Brown can't seek another term because of term limits.
Running for governor of Oregon, Kotek could become the nation's first out lesbian governor. "It's an honor and frankly a
privilege to be a trailblazer in this regard," Kotek told LGBTQ Nation. "I think for me it comes down to what message it sends to young people--It is still hard out there."
"I've had the good fortune to be in the position to do
things that really improve the lives of Oregonians, and this is a state I love--and it's a state that has allowed me to be myself. It's a beautiful place and I want to give back. It's about making sure we can continue to improve people's lives."
Source: LGBTQ Nation on 2022 Oregon Gubernatorial race
Nov 18, 2021
Tina Kotek:
My sense of hope comes from my personal faith in God
I tend to think that a prerequisite for public service is a fundamental belief that "the future will be better"--a confidence in a brighter tomorrow, the potential for progress--basically, hope for the future. I know my sense of hope comes from my
personal faith in God, as it does for many of you. The choices we make as leaders will have a ripple effect on generations to come, and the good choices will yield health, prosperity, and community resilience.
Source: 2025 State of the State Address to the Oregon legislature
Jan 13, 2025
Page last updated: Feb 07, 2026