Category Archives: News

April 27, 2022

In recent years, Schrader has been reliable only as an obstructionist. He voted against COVID stimulus checks because he wanted more means testing. He held up Biden’s infrastructure package because he didn’t want to let Medicare negotiate prescription drug prices. On a conference call with Democratic leadership, he complained that the second impeachment of President Donald Trump would be “a lynching.”

April 27, 2022

“Our new “community of interest” stretched from Clackamas County to Sunriver and has the potential to lead to absentee governing from a Willamette Valley rep too indifferent to show up in Central Oregon. Kurt Schrader is this nightmare come to life.

Even with the advent of Zoom endorsements and debates, Schrader cannot be bothered with the primary. He went so far as to turn down time in front of the City Club of Central Oregon and the League of Women Voters, relying on mail bombardment as a brand-building technique. If Schrader is not interested in women voters in this day and age, we’re not sure where his priorities lie.

Thankfully voters have a thoughtful and passionate candidate who currently resides in Central Oregon and is passionate about representing the district—the whole district. One of the qualities that strikes anyone fortunate enough to spend time discussing the issues with McLeod-Skinner is her voluminous understanding of the concerns facing constituents. We were impressed with her willingness to stand up against the uneven pressure large pharmaceutical companies are exerting on the health care system, her personal involvement in environmental issues—particularly wildfire prevention and recovery, and support for rental assistance.

….. Jamie McLeod-Skinner deserves your vote.”

May 13, 2022

“In Oregon, Democratic Rep. Kurt Schrader is facing an existential primary threat… insiders we talk to believe Schrader is in genuine danger of losing the primary.”

Wall Street Journal: Oregon Voters, Angry Over Crime and Inflation, Create Tough Race for Rep. Kurt Schrader

May 13, 2022

“Mr. Schrader must make it through a May 17 primary where he is being challenged from his left over not doing more to move the Democratic agenda through Congress… interviews with more than two dozen voters in the district also show an electorate eager for change.”

Cook Political Report: May Massacre? Primary Alarm Bells for Multiple House Incumbents

May 12, 2022

“According to multiple sources familiar with new polling data, Blue Dog Reps. Kurt Schrader (OR-05) and Henry Cuellar (TX-28) are now trailing progressive opponents…In OR-05, local school board member and progressive activist Jamie McLeod Skinner has the late momentum against the seven-term Schrader.”

Roll Call: Multiple threats mean there’s no shortage of vulnerable House members

May 12, 2022

“With less than six months to go until Election Day, the 10 most vulnerable House members face different threats… Schrader’s biggest vulnerability stems from a challenge in the May 17 primary from fellow Democrat Jamie McLeod-Skinner, an attorney and emergency response coordinator.”

New York Times: In an Uphill Year, Democrats of All Stripes Worry About Electability

May 11, 2022

“Ms. McLeod-Skinner has amassed considerable support from local institutions… everal county Democratic Party organizations in Oregon, ordinarily expected to back the incumbent or remain neutral, endorsed Ms. McLeod-Skinner and urged the House Democratic campaign arm, which is supporting Mr. Schrader, to stay out of the primary.”

“The seven-term congressman has a serious primary challenger—possibly the most serious he’s ever had as an incumbent… despite Schrader’s money, name recognition, and national support.”

Now top liberal groups and figures including Sen. Elizabeth Warren (Mass.), the Working Families Party and Indivisible are looking to oust the 13-year incumbent from Congress. They’ve lined up behind Jamie McLeod-Skinner, a school board member from central Oregon who’s challenging Schrader from the left, in what could become the next marquee Democratic House primary to watch.

In a big break with tradition, Democratic Party officials in four Oregon counties have endorsed the Democratic challenger to incumbent Democrat Kurt Schrader in the primary battle in Oregon’s newly redrawn 5th Congressional District.

At least two-thirds of party officials in each county voted to endorse Jamie McLeod-Skinner, who is challenging the seven-term incumbent from the left.

United Food and Commercial Workers Local 555, which represents 24,000 grocery and other workers, was the first to endorse Jamie McLeod-Skinner’s campaign for Congress. Now Oregon Education Association (OEA), the 41,000-member teachers union, is also supporting her campaign, after a truly overwhelming 93% vote by delegates to the union’s political action committee.

6/13