The Bridge by OR360

This week, Ben and Alex discuss some big changes happening with the podcast -- and the formation of Oregon360, a partnership with The Oregon Way and The Liftoff Newsletter. Subscribe for free, or become a founding member, at www.TheOregonWay.substack.com. We really appreciate your support!

Then, we dive into the biggest news stories of the week with everything you need to know about what's happening in Oregon politics, government, campaigns, and elections. We offer analysis on Speaker Tina Kotek's likely announcement she is running for Governor, Nick Kristof's residency memo, Val Hoyle's good week, and more. We also talk redistricting and whether national Republicans will invest cash in Oregon, the saga of the Newberg School Board, Proud Boys vs. Antifa, and the ever-controversial kicker.

Dr. Bud Pierce is a familiar name in Oregon. A cancer doctor, he was the GOP nominee for Governor in 2016, losing to Governor Kate Brown by about 8 points. Six years later, with an open seat in 2022, Dr. Pierce is once again a leading contender for the GOP nomination -- and he thinks Oregon is ready to break the Republican losing streak. This interview spans Dr. Pierce's personal life, political views, and policy ideas.

He shares how he has coped with the recent loss of his wife, Selma, and what advice he has for others who are grieving. Dr. Pierce also offers his perspective on masks, vaccines, and other pandemic-related policy. He has an interesting reason for opposing mask mandates (it has to do with his goal of getting more people vaccinated). We talk about the GOP brand and the impact of Donald Trump, Portland's challenges with housing and homelessness, and his view on the Governor's role in education policy and how he would measure his success. We also talk about campaign finance reform and the impact of his significant self-funding on the race.

Casey Kulla has worn many hats: cannabis farmer, ecologist, entrepreneur, scientist, husband, father, and Yamhill County Commissioner. He's now added "gubernatorial candidate" to the resume as the first Democrat to officially launch a bid for Oregon Governor. He knows he has an unusual background for this kind of race and that his bid may be a long-shot in some folks' eyes, and in this interview he discusses why he believes he is the right candidate for this moment and how he plans to win.

We talk about how a proposed walking trail in Yamhill county has ignited the urban-rural divide and polarized the community (and what that tells about broader social/political forces). We discuss the decline of Oregon's timber industry and what Democrats should offer to folks living in economically depressed rural communities. He explains why he believes racial justice groups are not happy with the status quo leadership in Oregon, and what he would do differently. Finally, we ask about viability and how he plans to beat the heavyweights who are certain to enter the field soon.

Susheela Jayapal is a Multnomah County Commissioner. She moved to the United States from India at the age of 16; a Portlander for the last 25 years, she also has deep roots in the Pacific Northwest (her sister is also in politics, Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal from Washington State). Her resume is extensive and impressive, including working as Adidas America's top lawyer and serving in leadership roles with many nonprofits and community-based organizations. 

In this episode, Commissioner Jayapal discusses Portland's reputation, whether or not our existing homelessness solutions are at scale, and the intersection between racial justice and criminal justice. Also: an interesting discussion about why and how the identities of the five commissioners (all women, three women of color) matter -- plus, one thing she is doing to help close the urban-rural divide. It's an interesting conversation that ranges from deep policy analysis to personal stories about her family -- we hope you enjoy!

There is no one else in the Oregon legislature like Sen. Sara Gelser. Over the last decade, she has been at the center of some of the most important issues in Oregon politics. She has received national recognition (e.g. Time Person of the Year during the #MeToo movement) -- and she occasionally criticizes her own party and leadership. She has long been a legislative warrior on child welfare issues in Oregon, and this episode includes some wild stories.

This is a fascinating conversation that covers a lot of ground: the significant power vested in the House Speaker and Senate President, culture change and sexual harassment in the legislature, the urban-rural divide, and the dramatic failures and meaningful successes of Oregon's child welfare system. Pro tip for this episode: at the 30-minute mark, the discussion shifts to child welfare, and it is both remarkable and important. We highly recommend you listen to the last segment of the episode. 

James Ball and Nick Prelosky are longtime Republicans...but they can't stand Donald Trump. Nick and James have a successful podcast called "The Rational Republican" that explores the state of their Party in Oregon and nationally. In this episode, Alex (a proud Trump admin alum) and Ben (a progressive Democrat) debate, argue, and even sometimes agree. It's a lively conversation.

Can Republicans win statewide in Oregon again? Maybe. We talk about what it would take. We also talk about Portland's homelessness/housing problem -- and what we could do about it. We touch on abortion, taxes, big tech, and more. 

Today, we've got an Oregon Bridge exclusive interview! Lori Chavez-DeRemer, a Republican former mayor of Happy Valley, just announced that she is challenging Rep. Kurt Schrader in Oregon's 5th Congressional District. In this interview, we ask her about why she's running -- and she drops some clues about the kind of campaign she will run against Rep. Schrader. We talk about the role President Joe Biden may play in the campaign, whether anything can get done in a broken Congress, and the prospect of a rematch against Rep. Janelle Bynum (if they both get drawn into a new congressional district after redistricting). 

Rep. Dacia Grayber is considered a rising star in Oregon politics. A professional firefighter, she was named by Willamette Week as a "Leader who Emerged" during the pandemic and she is one of the few true "labor Democrats" in the state legislature. In this interview, we talk about her unusual (and sometimes aggressive) social media use, whether Republicans in Oregon have a shot at winning more working class voters, reparations, and the prospect of another devastating wildfire season.

Congressman Cliff Bentz is the newest member of Oregon's congressional delegation, defeating Knute Buehler, Jason Atkinson, and eight other candidates in 2020 to replace longtime Rep. Greg Walden in Oregon's second congressional district (the state's only safe Republican seat). Previously, Bentz was a state legislator with a reputation for dealmaking (e.g. one of the architects of Oregon's $5.3 billion transportation package in 2017). In Congress, Bentz' voting record has been interesting: he voted against certifying Pennsylvania's election results, but in favor of establishing a commission to investigate the January 6 insurrection against Congress. In this episode, we discuss whether an infrastructure deal is possible in DC, how Congress compares to the legislature, and Oregon's urban-rural divide. We also talk about the pressure (or lack thereof) of party leadership in DC (Kevin McCarthy!) and his thoughts on the Greater Idaho movement.

Mayor Stan Pulliam of Sandy, Oregon has made national headlines (New York Times!) over his resistance to Oregon's response to the COVID-19 pandemic (especially Governor Kate Brown's executive orders). He is among the "top-tier" GOP candidates for Oregon Governor in 2022 and he's beginning to pick up steam with the grassroots. In this episode, he talks about being mayor of a small city, his vision for Oregon's pandemic recovery, and what Oregon's governor should and shouldn't do with regards to racial justice, homelessness, and public education. The conversation includes some animated sparring on the impact of COVID-19 on Oregonians and the role of government in emergency situations.