SALEM — The 53rd House District has long been represented by Rep. Gene Whisnant, R-Sunriver, who is retiring.

Voters in the Deschutes County district that surrounds most of Bend like a squashed doughnut, must make a choice to replace him: Pick a Republican or a Sunriver resident.

Eileen Kiely, a retired corporate executive, lives in Sunriver. But she’s a Democrat.

Jack Zika, a real estate agent, is a Republican. But he lives in Redmond.

Add to the mix an uptick in Democratic and nonaffiliated voter registration in a district that has usually gone strongly Republican, along with the national political mood, and you should get a race that might have drawn more attention than in the past.

There’s a visibility problem. After a high-profile primary that saw Zika win the Republican nomination by just two votes, while Kiely triumphed by a more comfortable margin, the 53rd House District race has been often drowned out by the turmoil in the neighboring 54th House District.

That district, which includes most of Bend, has seen Democrats endorse then abandon two candidates. In one case, the Democratic nominee was accused of sexual harassment. In the other, a surrogate Democratic candidate with the Working Families Party, suspended her campaign after admitting she submitted false information on her Voters Pamphlet.

Meanwhile, in the 53rd District, Kiely and Zika have carried on a spirited — but relatively drama-free — campaign waged on the issues confronting their potential constituents.

While both candidates have said the issue has not been paramount in the minds of voters as they campaign door-to-door, the clearest partisan divide has been over abortion. Kiely is pro-choice and is supported by the National Abortion Rights Action League. Zika is anti-abortion and is supported by Oregon Right to Life.

The Bulletin asked the candidates for their positions on how the Legislature could influence two key local issues — affordable housing and a possible pedestrian bridge over the Deschutes River. They were also asked what other issue they feel is especially important to voters.

Affordable housing

The rising prices of homes, along with high rents are becoming a major factor for people living in the 53rd House District. What do you think the Legislature should do to make housing more affordable, while at the same time preserving the quality of life that attracts so many people to the district?

Kiely: “Our resource shortages incent the market toward projects with higher profit margins, not affordable homes. The state is funding a pilot project to try out potential solutions on a small scale, before committing to laws or spending that may not be effective. Possible bottlenecks include the availability of land, labor, public transportation, road and utility construction, and local zoning and permitting. We need to find the changes that make the most immediate impact. I also support complete transparency in the Urban Growth Boundary expansion process. The state must partner with cities to identify and overcome obstacles to sustainable growth.”

Zika: “Oregon’s land use system needs reform. Central Oregon is different from the Valley, and the Legislature should give Bend, Redmond and Deschutes County more control over our land use and housing policy. An example: no one doubts that Bend and Redmond both have a serious affordable housing crisis, yet the state will allow only one to expand its boundary to add affordable housing. The state needs to relax its death grip on Central Oregon communities and make it easier for our cities to add affordable housing. This will be the first bill I introduce or co-sponsor in the House.”

Deschutes River bridge

Over the past two legislative sessions, there has been an attempt to ban a pedestrian bridge across the Deschutes River near the southern edge of the Bend city limit. The bridge, as originally envisioned, would be just inside the 53rd House District. The issue is now going through a mediation process. Will you support that mediation? Will you pledge not to circumvent the mediation by carrying legislation either for or against the bridge prior to the outcome of the process?

Kiely: “I support mediation, and I see no reason to propose legislation until the process is complete. Current state law prevents a bridge. If the stakeholders — Bend Park and Rec, the environmental community, homeowners, and the U.S. Forest Service — come to an agreement that requires a change in state law, I will carry that legislation for them.”

Zika: “I support the mediation, and will not introduce legislation relating to the bridge prior to the conclusion of the mediation. Central Oregonians — and not legislators, lobbyists or activists from outside the area — should determine the fate of the bridge.”

Other key issues

What other one or two issues will be at the top of your agenda if you are elected?

Kiely: “The PERS Unfunded Liability undermines every level of Oregon’s government — state and local. Oregon ended excessive pensions with the 2003 PERS reforms, but did not address the debt we incurred from 1975 to 2003. State, local, and other government employers are $20 billion short in savings for the retirement payments due by law over the next 20 years. The unfortunate, but fiscally responsible truth is that we need to both raise revenue and cut costs to pay our debt. We need legislators who stay at the table and negotiate difficult choices. I have that experience, and will be that legislator.”

Zika: “The unfunded PERS liability is strangling our schools. I support PERS reform. My opponent thinks we only need to keep reviewing PERS. The writing is on the wall that the system is broken and our kids are paying the price. Enough is enough. Central Oregon’s economy is based on small business. My opponent supported a change to Oregon law that caused small business owners to pay $250 million more in taxes. She also says that any and all new and increased taxes are on the table for her. I disagree and will hold the line against job-killing small business taxes.”

— Reporter: 541-640-2750, gwarner@bendbulletin.com