Summers

In Oregon, we know that nature requires balance. Politics shouldn’t be any different. A balance of perspectives and challenging conventional wisdom has long been the secret ingredient to delivering progress in America.

But in Salem, where Democrats are on the cusp of supermajorities in both chambers of the legislature, balance is hard to come by. As a result, not much is getting done to solve Oregon’s biggest issues.

Working families are struggling to afford the basics. Business growth is stifled by senseless rules and regulations. Our students are falling behind national standards, leaving them ill-prepared for the competitive job market. Meanwhile, homelessness continues to rise, and public safety is in decline.

I’m running for state Senate because enough is enough — you deserve results.

My opponent, Anthony Broadman, offers more of the same policies that have already failed us. A Democrat among Democrats has done little to address our most pressing issues — and it won’t change in the future. His record proves as much.

For four years on the Democrat-dominated City Council, Broadman’s unchecked policies have allowed homeless camps to expand in public spaces, exacerbating issues with drug use and wildfire risks. He’s also pushed to end qualified immunity for police officers — a reckless step that threatens public safety on our streets.

And much like his allies in Salem, Broadman has supported policies that leave working families paying more. As a City Councilor, he backed increases in water, sewage, and stormwater rates for Bend residents — at a time when making ends meet is already challenging.

As another example, Broadman’s support for Bend’s new tree code is counterproductive, raising housing prices and complicating affordable housing efforts. The code imposes impractical tree preservation requirements and costly mitigation fees, which even local building advocates warn could limit, home construction and increase costs, especially for workforce housing

Broadman’s policies are exactly the kind that will continue to emerge from Salem unless we make a change.

Even in his campaign tactics, Broadman plays by the same old playbook—spending heavily to distort his record, relying on outside political groups to spread lies about me and my service to the community, and using scare tactics to convince people that their abortion rights are in jeopardy if they vote for me.

Let me be clear: Instead of addressing pressing issues like education, affordable housing, wildfires, homelessness, and mental health, Oregon’s top priority has become funding abortion on demand for anyone, for any reason, at taxpayer expense. Rather than focusing on abortion, my emphasis will be on providing comprehensive healthcare and support for women and families, especially mothers who choose to keep their babies. As a father of four daughters, I want these scared mothers to know that they have well-funded alternatives to abortion.

If you’re as tired of these same worn-out tactics as I am, let’s build something new — together.

In the state Senate, I will be Central Oregon’s voice for building stronger and safer communities by prioritizing victims’ rights and addressing court backlogs. I’ll fight for common-sense solutions to prevent crime, hold criminals accountable, and support the men and women in law enforcement who keep us safe. I’ll also work to hold accountable those who flood our streets with dangerous drugs while helping people break the cycle of addiction.

I’ll push for increased funding for mental health and addiction services while enforcing drug laws to keep our streets safe and reduce wildfire risks. It’s about helping those in need while protecting our communities.

As a third-generation small business owner, I’ll tackle the red tape holding businesses back by streamlining permitting, reducing fees, and creating public-private partnerships to make childcare and housing more affordable for Central Oregon’s families, teachers, and first responders. And I’ll lead efforts to cut government waste and implement tax reforms to lower the cost of living—without introducing a sales tax.

When Oregon is more affordable for families and businesses alike, we can all thrive together.