Category Archives: What your neighbors are saying

Over a decade ago, when Kurt Schrader first ran for office in the new 5th Congressional District, I voted for him. I even put up a lawn sign because he was well experienced for the job and presented himself as moderate and constructive. I voted for him twice more after that, but then became convinced that he was neither moderate, nor constructive. He is, in reality, an extreme outlier among the Democratic caucus: one of five to oppose Nancy Pelosi’s speakership, and one of only three to vote against the continuing budget resolution as part of the Build Back Better negotiations. Nor is he constructive.

Loren Northup, Lake Oswego

As a school psychologist, I see the impact of lead on child learning and brain health.

Oregon is not so different from Flint, Michigan. In 2019, over 50% of the schools in Marion County registered lead contamination levels above the EPA standard. In Portland, high levels of lead have alarmed the Oregon Health Authority, which has demanded that the city’s water bureau take action.

Rep. Kurt Schrader in 2016, was one of only three Democrats who voted for H.R. 5538, which would have delayed the EPA’s efforts to prevent lead poisoning.

I care about children and our community so I am glad to have a better choice Jamie McLeod-Skinner is a small business owner, engineer and attorney, who has focused her career on Oregon rebuilding communities after wildfires and protecting our natural resources. I want a representative who represents us.

Mary Luthy
Turner, Oregon

Candidate for redistricted Congressional District 5—our district as of November—Rep. K. Schrader declares he is a progressive and has been doing all he can to address the climate crises. This missive covers two points: what is meant by Mr. 47% and more importantly, who funds this unlikely progressive regarding the climate crises.

Redistricted CD5 includes most of Bend and amoebic-like extends northwesterly into southern Portland. That shape excludes voters who used to see Schrader on their ballots and includes voters who were previously in another district. Specifically, 53% of new CD5 voters do not see him as an incumbent. Only 47% will have had his representation in the past. He is not an incumbent to the majority. Thus, he is Mr. 47%.

Schrader serves on the U.S. Energy and Commerce Committee. Great seat to address the climate crises. ECC oversees many federal entities, notably; Environmental Protection Agency, Department of Energy and Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. Conflict of interestingly, Schrader is totally in the pocket of polluting carbon corporations; Koch Industries, Exxon Mobil, BP Corp, Chevron Employees, Conoco/Phillips Spirit, American Petroleum Institute, Petroleum Marketers Associates of America, Marathon Petroleum Corp, Valero Energy Corp, Phillips 66, Duke Energy and Haliburton Co. Rep. Schrader was the 6th largest recipient 2019-2020, receiving $98,000 from these PACs.

We all know petroleum corporations donate expecting returns from their legislative campaign investments. FYI: Jamie McLeod-Skinner, a candidate for CD5, actually is a pragmatic progressive who has never accepted any corporate PAC donations.

Susan G.
Cobb, Oregon

Kurt Schrader has a dubious working relationship with his fellow Democrats on issues related to healthcare.

He has been a co-sponsor on reducing regulatory government involvement on issues related to our health eliminating safeguards already in place. When the issue is related to health perils such as lead poisoning or cancer-causing chemicals, Schrader sides with industry and not with the health and well-being of his constituents in Oregon’s District 5.

As a senior and cancer survivor I am angry that he did not support negotiating lower drug prices for Medicare.

We have an alternative in Jamie McLeod-Skinner who is one of us. As our representative she will make sure our voices are heard and not the ones from Corporate PACS, such as big pharma.

Jamie is a bridge-builder and she is a longtime advocate of healthcare for all.

Let’s elect someone who actually has our interests at heart.

Pamela Berg
Lake Oswego

Jamie McLeod-Skinner is a trusted public servant with a history of working for her constituents.

U.S. Rep. Kurt Schrader votes against protections for rivers, wildlife, and fish when these protections go counter to the interests of corporations, particularly those who fund his campaign.

In the last election cycle, he was the largest Democratic recipient from the forest-products industry and second largest overall in the House, taking in $76,750. He received even more, $98,000, from the oil and gas industry, including Koch Industries. Less than 2% of his funding came from donations under $200. That should tell you right there who Kurt Schrader listens to.

It is time for a change. Jamie McLeod-Skinner is a trusted public servant with a history of working for her constituents on city and statewide levels. As an engineer, small-business owner and environmental attorney, she has what it takes to advocate for Oregonians.

Jamie has never taken corporate Political Action Committee money. She will listen to you and me and ignore the corrupting influence of PACs.

Jamie McLeod-Skinner has the skills, experience and integrity to represent Oregon’s 5th congressional district. Vote for Jamie.

Jean Lofy
Oak Grove, Oregon

Jamie McLeod-Skinner has a record of working for Oregon families
Oregon City residents deserve better representation in our congressional district.

U.S. Rep. Kurt Schrader has lost touch with the average people of the district and is too connected to big-industry donors, voting against Biden’s climate agenda while our forests suffer from drought and fire. We can’t afford to have Kurt continue to take direction from big-oil and gas contributors, including Koch Industries, and vote with Republicans against our needs.

Jamie McLeod-Skinner has a record of working for Oregon families and she would be a great representative. She has experience as a small-business owner, engineer and attorney. Her record of public service in Oregon includes elections to a city council and an education service district board, as well as appointment to a statewide natural resources board. She led recovery efforts for a city that lost a third of its homes to wildfire and secured millions of dollars in aid and housing.

Representing the people is hard work. Let’s elect someone who understands the challenges and is committed to getting the job done for all of us. Let’s elect Jamie McLeod-Skinner to represent Oregon’s 5th Congressional District.

Marti Franc
Oregon City, Oregon