1StatesmanJournalminiquestionnaire

Statesman Journal mini-questionnaire for 2016 General

Election
Thank you for responding to this questionnaire.
For those of you who filled out our Primary Election questionnaire this year, this
one is similar although some questions have changed. We ask that you fill this out
completely, instead of referring to the previous questionnaire, or your resume, etc.,
because we will be posting this questionnaire online.
Why this matters: The Statesman Journal Editorial Board will use this
questionnaire in deciding whether and whom to endorse for the Nov. 8 General
Election. Reporters, who operate separately from the Editorial Board, may use your
answers in writing stories.
Please return the finished questionnaire to the Editorial Board as an email or an
attached Word document to Salemed@StatesmanJournal.com. (Handwritten, pdf,
WordPerfect or fax responses dont work.)
Important: Please return the questionnaire by the end of the day Monday,
Sept. 12.
Questions? Contact Editorial Page Editor Dick Hughes, 503-399-6727,
dhughes@StatesmanJournal.com, or Editorial Assistant Nancy Harrington, 503-3996864, nharring@StatesmanJournal.com.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Your name as listed on the ballot:
Ross Swartzendruber
Age: 52
(If your age will change before Nov. 8, please indicate your birthday. We want to
ensure we use accurate ages in pre- and post-election editorials and news
coverage.)
City/town of residence: Rural Salem, OR
Political party, if this is a partisan office: Democratic Party
Position you are seeking (name of position, district number, etc.):

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Oregon State Senator, District 12
Are you currently a full-time resident within the boundaries of the specific area
(district, county, etc.) that you seek to represent? Yes.
Number of current, consecutive years living within the district you seek to
represent:
52
Family (name of spouse/partner; number and ages of children if at home, or
number of grown children): Tanja Langen, Lillian, 13, Henry, 10, Rose 10
Your education (high school, trade, college, post-baccalaureate; indicate degrees
you earned):
Amity High School 1982, Chemeketa Community College, Oregon State University,
Boston University (BA in Biology, 1988)
If employed, current occupation, employer and job duties:
Self-employed, Black Sheep Advertising, Inc. Produce and place advertising (1997present)
Previous employers and when:
Swartzendruber Sheep Station (1990-1992, 1980-1987), Khlhofer AG (1993),
Genetics Institute, Inc. (1989), Boston University School of Education (1988),
Boston University Chemistry Department (1987), Oregon State University
Department of Microbiology (1984)
Military service and when:
Volunteer/civic/religious service and when:
Mid-Valley Video Festival (2006-2013), Salem Creative Network (2009-present),
Straub Middle School Music Boosters (2015-present) Board Director-elect, Bethel
College Board (2017)
Please list all public offices to which youve been elected, and when:
Please list any unsuccessful candidacies for public office, and when:
House District 23, 2012
Other prior political and government experience:
State Superintendent of Public Instruction Student Advisory Committee member
(1981-82)

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How the public can reach your campaign (remember that this information will be
made public):
Mail address:
P.O. Box 5124, Salem, OR 97304
E-mail address:
ross@friendsofross.org
Web site URL:
friendsofross.org
Phone: 503-364-1403
Facebook and other social media:
https://www.facebook.com/swartzendruberforsenate
Please limit your response to each of the following questions to about 75 words.
1. To an outsider, how would you describe the region you wish to represent -geographically, economically, politically and socially?
Geographically, Senate District 12 is the most gerrymandered political boundary in
the Willamette Valley, including rural parts of Washington, Yamhill, Polk, Marion and
Benton counties. The largest cities are Hillsboro, McMinnville and Dallas.
While more than 14,000 people work in administrative and management
occupations, the mainstay of farming has dropped to historic lows, employing only
2100. Most towns are bedroom communities, sending commuters to large,
bordering cities. Several counties are dependent on O and C federal payments and
struggle to transition their economies.
After 35 years of all-Republican rule, the district is slowly returning to Democratic
legislature, which started in Washington County. Socially, the district experienced
a revival in community events in 2016. Communities are beginning to organize
regular events, attracting thousands into into small town squares.
2. Describe the positives and negatives of this region (ward, district, county or
state) that you wish to represent:
The greatest positive of Senate District 12 is citizen gumption. Despite barriers
such as rural poverty and unequal education, citizens pioneer solutions that
benefit their communities.
These barriers are many. Small farm acreage is disappearing as 1000+ acre farms
grow. Transportation is under-funded. Single-driver commuters exacerbate climate
change. Renewable energy co-ops are slow to evolve. Federal timber payments
create a dependence difficult to overcome. Citizens will answer these challenges
by sharing best practices, as they have historically.

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3. What specific skills or experiences do you have that would make you
effective in this office?
Born and raised in the district, I know the issues that affect rural Willamette Valley.
Experience in creating projects for renewable energy, cultural festivals and
downtown revitalization, gives me the tools to work with diverse groups in
achieving broad goals.
As a trained scientist,I rely on facts and logic to reach conclusions. My background
in the family sheep farm gives me insight on new market development and the
transformative power of small business. Twenty years in advertising allows for
exposure to a wide variety of business models and the importance of
communication. I understands that public education is a foundation of democracy
and requires greater support.
4. What separates you from your opponent(s)? Be specific.
I've demonstrated my commitment to community improvement through years of
volunteer work in schools and organizing disparate groups for positive social
change. I've worked with leadership, delivering successful grass roots efforts. I rely
primarily on individual contributions and refuse corporate donations. I have
received no contributions from unions or corporations. About $60,000 separates
our campaign funding totals.
5. How much will your General Election campaign cost? Be specific.
$10,000
6. Have you ever been convicted of a crime, been disciplined by a professional
licensing board/organization or had an ethics violation filed against you? If so,
please give the details.
No.
7. Have you ever filed for bankruptcy, been delinquent on your taxes or other
major accounts, or been sued personally or professionally? If so, please give the
details.
No.
8. Is there anything (such as health issues, etc.) that would affect your ability to
serve your full term? Are any relevant changes in your life situation expected or
contemplated before the election or before you would take office?
No.
9. What are the three most important issues you would address if elected, and
how? (75 words for each issue)
A. Campaign finance reform is the number challenge needing a solution in our
legislature. Unlimited contributions from corporations, PACs and foreign nationals

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has led to the greatest inequality seen in Oregon for 80 years. I will offer legislation
to limit contributions and organize citizen pressure to get it passed.
B. I will offer legislation to end privatization of public schools in Oregon and
restore teachers to the professional level of lawyers and doctors. Online charter
schools should be defunded and best practices in other charter schools adopted by
public schools. Summative assessments and interim benchmarks lacking
researched evidence of success, which transfers tax money out of district, should
end. Learning management systems violate privacy and lead to increased
surveillance and need citizen oversight. Social-emotional learning measurement
revives the 20th-century eugenics attempt at behavior control and is dangerous to
democracy. These issues demand immediate action.
C. Support for emerging markets in rural tourism, technological and climate
change is essential to my district. Regional efforts in rural tourism require sharing
best practices and acting in concert to attract visitors. Robotics, biotechnology,
and open source computing start-ups need legislative support. Renewable energy
co-ops for small towns keep local money in the community.
10.

What do you see as other important issues?

Mass transit, Willamette Greenway transportation options, cultural development

and land use planning outcomes need attention during the next legislative session.
11.
There is a strong anti-government sentiment in much of the nation and
Oregon. How would you deal with that? I educate citizens about the Knights
of the Golden Circle, the source of anti-government sentiment in Oregon.
They brought slavery into Oregon in the 1840s and attempted to form a
Pacific Coast Republic separate from the United States. Nearly one-third of
Oregonians supported Pro-slavery Vice-Presidential candidate Joseph Lane in
the 1860 election. Communities in my district answered by forming Union
Leagues and protecting ballot boxes with armed guards. While temporarily
defeated, these secessionists continue to re-surface and try to become
relevant again.
While we must tolerate their free speech, Oregonians have repeatedly
stepped up and stopped them when they cross the line and negatively affect our
communities. My greatest concern is addressing the root causes leading to their
dissatisfaction, like political corruption and income inequality.
12. How would you evaluate the work of the Attorney General's Public Records
Reform Task Force. Are the proposed changes adequate, inadequate or just right?
These changes are a step in the right direction. Sunshine laws are critical for a

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healthy democracy and should be enforced to benefit our communities.
13. Any skeletons in your closet or other potentially embarrassing information that
you should disclose before it comes up in the campaign?
No.
14. As a political candidate, your views on national politics are relevant to voters.
Whom do you support for U.S. president in the General Election?
I support the Democratic nominee for U.S. President.
15. As a political candidate, your views on state ballot measures are relevant to
voters. Please indicate whether you favor (YES) or oppose (NO) each of these
measures:
Measure 94, Amends Constitution: Eliminates judges mandatory retirement age.
YES
Measure 95, Amends Constitution: Allows investments in equities by public
universities. YES
Measure 96, Amends Constitution: Dedicates 1.5% of state lottery net proceeds
to services for Oregon veterans. YES
Measure 97, statutory: Increases corporate minimum tax when sales exceed $25
million. YES
Measure 98, statutory: Requires state funding for dropout prevention, career and
college readiness programs in high schools NO
Measure 99, statutory: Creates Outdoor School Education Fund funded through
Lottery to provide outdoor school programs statewide. YES
Measure 100, statutory: Bans purchase or sale of parts/products from certain
wildlife species. YES

Thank you. Please return this questionnaire to the Editorial Board as an

attached Word document to Salemed@StatesmanJournal.com by Sept. 12,
2016.