The Bridge by OR360

A different way of thinking about governance, with Daniel Kemmis | EP 139

Daniel Kemmis is a giant figure in the politics of the American West. A former Speaker of the Montana House of Representatives and twice-elected Mayor of Missoula, Kemmis is also an author and political theorist. President Bill Clinton awarded him the Charles Frankel Prize for "outstanding contribution to the field of the humanities," and he also one the Wallace Stegner Prize from the Center of the American West. 
 
His first book, Community and the Politics of Place, was published in 1990, and his most recent came out in 2020, Citizens Uniting to Restore Our Democracy. In this episode, we discuss Kemmis' framework for community-based decision making, the importance of geography in politics, and his advice for elected officials navigating a polarized political landscape. For more information about Daniel Kemmis, visit his website: https://citizens-uniting.org/

Olivia Clark brings an impressive resume to the PDX Council race | EP 138

Olivia Clark has worked in state, local, and regional politics and policy for decades, including stints working with cities, DEQ, the Kitzhaber Administration, and TriMet. In this episode, she reflects on how her previous work will inform her approach as a Portland City Councilor. We discuss her work for Gov. Kitzhaber, the challenges she navigated in that period, and why she stayed for nearly two full terms. 
 
Olivia also offers her explanation for what went wrong in Portland over the last decade or two--and what can be done to fix it. She gives her vision for making the layers of government work together more effectively, and how she would approach the job of councilor in this new form of government. 

How does civility foster healthier politics? | EP 137 Part 2

In the second half of this conversation with George Fox's Civility project, the Oregon Bridge is doing a deep dive on what civility means in the context of politics and how creating a more civil political environment can lead to more productive bipartisan policy and discourse. 
A huge thank you to George Fox for inviting the Oregon Bridge out to be on this panel and for helping provide this programming.
You can learn more about the Civility Project here: https://sites.google.com/georgefox.edu/gfcivilityproject/home
 

The tables have turned. Ben & Reagan reflect on the Oregon Bridge with Ron Mock | EP 136 Part 1

In this special two part episode, recent guest Ron Mock returns to the Oregon Bridge but this time Ben and Reagan are the interviewees.
In this first half of the conversation, the team unpacks the history, thesis and origin of the Oregon Bridge Podcast, how that has evolved over time, and also the role that the podcast plays in both Ben and Reagan's Lives.
A huge thank you to George Fox for inviting the Oregon Bridge out to be on this panel and for helping provide this programming.
You can learn more about the Civility Project here: https://sites.google.com/georgefox.edu/gfcivilityproject/home
 

What happened in Newberg? | EP 135

Ron Mock is Director of the George Fox University Civility Project and Professor Emeritus of Politics and Peace Studies. He is also a former Newberg School Board Member, serving for nearly. His loss in 2021 triggered a conservative board majority that made international headlines for attempting to ban pride flags and BLM symbols--and ultimately for firing their superintendent. 
 
In this episode, Ron explains exactly what happened and why it happened. We talk about political polarization and divisiveness--and how it impacts communities. He shares what lessons other communities can learn from Newberg--and provides some specific examples of proactive steps community leaders can take to build a more productive political culture locally. We also discuss the occasional tension between being an advocate and being a convener--and whether "civility" is always the right framework for politics, or if today's political environment requires something different.
 
You can learn more about the Civility Project here: https://sites.google.com/georgefox.edu/gfcivilityproject/home

Tony Morse is the ”recovery candidate” for Portland City Council

Tony Morse is a candidate for Portland City Council's District 4 (the west side and a small slice of inner east Portland). Tony is an attorney by training and has worked in real estate and political organizing. He describes himself as "center left" and willing to work those who disagree with him to get things done. 
 
In this episode, we talk about Tony's recovery story and what it means to be a "recovery candidate" for the Council--including some specific ideas about how the City can help resolve the crisis. We talk about Ballot Measure 110, harm reduction strategies, public consumption of drugs, and his views on "safe use" sites. Finally, we talk about what it's like running to serve in a new form of government with a totally new way of electing leaders in Portland.

Metro Councilor Christine Lewis on housing, climate, and transportation | EP 133

Metro Councilor Christine Lewis has had an extensive career in Oregon politics. A Portland Business Journal "40 Under 40" honoree, she graduated from Reed College and quickly entered the world of political organizing. She has worked as campaign manager for former Senate President Peter Courtney, former State Rep. and Multnomah County Commissioner Jules Bailey, and several ballot measures. She also worked on the "official side" (non-campaign) for then-Speaker Tina Kotek, the City of Portland, and the Bureau of Labor and Industries. In 2018, she was elected as a Metro Councilor representing a large district including much of Clackamas County and parts of Multnomah and Washington. 
 
In this episode, we talk about Christine's career in politics and how Metro intersects with the most important policy issues facing the Portland area today: housing, homelessness, transportation, and more.

Phil Keisling on Tom McCall, Vera Katz, and vote-by-mail | EP 132

Former legislator and Secretary of State Phil Keisling has had a truly remarkable career in Oregon politics. Prior to his own tenure in elected office, he worked on the campaign of Gov. Tom McCall (McCall's third and only unsuccessful attempt) and for then-Speaker Vera Katz. Elected to the legislature in 1988 after a career in journalism, Gov. Barbara Roberts appointed him as a freshman legislator to assume the office of Secretary of State (it is an incredible story, involving Phil arriving an hour and a half late for his interview with the Governor). He was subsequently elected to two full terms. 
In this episode, we talk about Phil's career, the changing nature of Oregon politics (with an emphasis on policy over administration), the true story of how Oregon launched vote-by-mail (and the strange bedfellows who made it happen), and why attempts to open Oregon's primaries have failed. 

Who we can expect to see in the 2024 Oregon election cycle | EP 131

The 2024 election cycle is already heating up in Oregon even at this early stage! In this episode Ben and Reagan discuss what candidates will be expected to contend, as well as which candidates have already declared and began fundraising campaigns for some of Oregon's open seats in office.

Why Eric Zimmerman is betting on Portland | EP 130

Eric Zimmerman is a chief of staff for a Multnomah County Commissioner and a Major in the Oregon National Guard. Previously, he worked as a senior advisor to the Mayor of Portland and as an assistant city manager. He's also thinking about running for Portland City Council. 
 
In this episode, we cover Eric's background in the military, his experience running for office, and why he has hope for Portland's future--but wants a more action-oriented set of leaders in charge. We also talk about the time that he punched a man in the face (following an attack on his then-boyfriend)--and what it was like when the story hit the newspapers a year later. Finally, we touch on how the conflict in the Middle East has impacted state and local politics. 

Christine Drazan is looking for a new direction for Oregon | EP 129

Former republican minority leader Christine Drazan rejoins the podcast over 100 episodes later to reflect on Oregon's political leadership throughout the pandemic and present her framework for rebuilding what she calls Oregon's broken systems, through an organization called A New Direction, a 501c4 non-profit organization dedicated to connecting Oregonians with each other to advance policies and ideas that make Oregon a safer more affordable place to live and raise a family, strengthen checks and balances, improve transparency, empower Oregonians and support the next generation.
To learn more visit https://www.christinefororegon.com/

The chair of the Oregon GOP on how Republicans can win | EP 128

Justin Hwang is a Korean immigrant and small business owner.
He’s been chairman of the Oregon Republican Party since 2022 and was previously a candidate for state representative and state senate. He talks about the challenges Republicans are facing in Oregon and where he sees the opportunities for Republicans to hold and make additional gains.
https://oregon.gop/

Decoding Oregon’s swing county with Adam Marl | EP 127

Adam Marl is the City Commission President for Oregon City. He was worked for numerous Republican candidates and elected officials.
He serves in the most politically complex of the three major Portland metro counties: Clackamas. Marl is the youngest, as well as fist Asian person, to serve on the city commission. As someone who identifies as an Evangelical Christian but cites legislation from leaders like Sen. Mitt Romney, Marl has a nuanced take on Oregon politics.
In this episode, Ben and Adam cover a wide range of topics including tolling, culture wars, abortion policy, and what it means to be a young Republican in Oregon in today's political climate.
You can check out a piece that Adam recently wrote for The Way here: https://theoregonway.substack.com/p/how-oregon-republicans-can-further Also be sure to subscribe on Youtube if you haven't already! https://www.youtube.com/c/OR360
And huge shoutout to our newest partner OVBC, be sure to check out their typography survey and share your voice and opinions about Oregon politics here:  https://oregonvbc.org/

A Once-in-a-Decade Opportunity to Share Your Voice! New Partnership with OVBC | EP 126

Returning to the podcast is Amaury Vogel. Amaury is the Associate Executive Director of the the Oregon Values & Beliefs Center (OVBC).   OVBC is an innovative organization that provides public opinion research for free to policymakers, news organizations, and the general public. In this episode we talk about how polling works (and why sometimes it doesn't work), and we discuss what makes OVBC unique.  
OVBC 2023 Typology Survey: Online Survey Software | Qualtrics Survey Solutions  
OVBC 2023 Typology informational landing page (also contains Pew and Policy Interactive Links): 
OVBC 2023 Typology Project - Oregon Values and Beliefs Center (oregonvbc.org)  
Pew Typology: Political Typology - Research and data from Pew Research Center  
Policy Interactive: Finding Common Ground in a Divided Political Culture – PolicyInteractive  
oregonvbc.org  
ovbc.info/23_Background

Producing our way out of the housing crisis with Jodi Hack | EP 125

Oregon is grappling with a severe housing crisis. Recent data reveals that the median selling price of homes in Oregon is hovering around the $500,000 mark. In swiftly growing cities like Bend, this figure climbs even higher due to significantly constrained housing availability. Governor Tina Kotek has set an ambitious target of constructing 36,000 new homes annually. However, critics argue that current regulations, coupled with limited land resources stemming from the Urban Growth Boundary and Oregon's stringent land use guidelines, render this goal unattainable.
Joining our discussion today is Jodi Hack, a former Republican Representative and now the CEO of the Oregon Home Builder's Association. Jodi will help us break down what all is contributing to the housing shortage and what policies may need to change in order to increase inventory and address the demand for affordable housing in Oregon.
 

Kathleen Stuart on winning campaigns and public official compensation | EP 124

Kathleen Stuart has held many of the top jobs in the Oregon Democratic campaign world--deputy director for the Senate Democratic Leadership Fund, Executive Director for FuturePAC, and head of the Democratic coordinated campaign effort in 2018 (where Gov. Kate Brown won by 6 points). She now owns her own firm, Stuart Collective, and was recently selected as one of the Portland Business Journal's 40 under 40.
 
In this episode, we talk about Kathleen's relatively rapid promotions in the political world, and her career trajectory from private sector public relations to politics. We cover how caucus campaign committees work, and what the "coordinate campaign" does. We also talk about compensation for public officials (legislators, judges, and statewide officials) and her recent piece in the Oregon Way called: "Where can Oregon step up to support women serving in office?". For more information on Kathleen, you can visit: www.stuartcollective.co
 

Freshmen legislators on being a mom and winning swing seats | EP 123

Rep. Annessa Hartman (D-Gladstone) and Rep. Emerson Levy (D-Bend) are freshmen legislators first elected in 2022.
They represent two swing districts (sometimes called “purple” seats) — Hartman in Clackamas County and Levy in Central Oregon (you can listen to our interview with then-candidate Levy here). They are also both relatively young legislators, and moms of young children. In this episode, we discuss the impact of running for office and public service on family, what it’s like running in ultra-competitive districts, and the policy wins they are most proud of.

Charles Lehman On Portland’s Drug Crisis | EP 122

Charles Lehamn is a Senior Fellow at the Manhattan Institute, a prominent center-right think tank that focuses on urban and city-related issues. The organization gained prominence in the 1980s and 1990s for brainstorming the "broken windows" theory and creating the policy blueprint for Republican New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani. Charles recently took a trip to Portland to examine the impact of Measure 110 and detailed his thoughts in a City Journal piece that we link to below and discuss the episode. We also dive into more technical issues such as defining what certain drugs like Fentanyl actually are, the hard statistics around Measure 110 and its outcomes, the differences between legalization and decriminalization and a host of other issues. This episode is also meant to give listeners the opposing view of the folks over at the Drug Policy Alliance who helped to pass Measure 110 (you can listen to that episode by clicking here).

What Oregon leaders can learn about battling corruption from the Truman Committee, with Steve Drummond | EP 121

The Watchdog, a brilliant book by NPR senior editor Steve Drummond covering the Truman Committee's oversight of the defense buildup and war production effort of World War II, begins in Portland, Oregon. The book chronicles Harry S. Truman before he became president--his development from a junior senator from Missouri without much power, recognition, or stature to the Vice President of the United States (and, just a few months later, President). 
 
The Truman Committee is a case study on effective government oversight. Ultimately, the Committee saved billions of dollars, prevented countless American deaths, and helped the United States win World War II -- and the Committee is undoubtedly what launched Truman from political obscurity to political powerhouse. In this episode, we discuss the lessons that today's leaders can learn about fighting corruption from Harry Truman and the Truman Committee.

John Frohnmayer on polarization, ethics, and why third party candidates fail | EP 120

John Frohnmayer served as the fifth chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), appointed by President George H.W. Bush in 1989. He has held numerous civic leadership roles and briefly ran as an Independent candidate for the United States Senate in 2008 (the election where Jeff Merkley defeated incumbent Senator Gordon Smith). Frohnmayer is the author of seven books, including memoirs from his saga leading the NEA during a particularly turbulent time that still impacts contemporary politics ("Behind the right’s loathing of the NEA: Two ‘despicable’ exhibits almost 30 years ago" from the Washington Post). His latest book is a novel, Blood and Faith, and a sequel will be released shortly.
 
In this episode, we talk about what it was like growing up as Frohnmayer alongside his brother (future Attorney General Dave). We talk about the role of athletics in his life (and his thoughts on the PAC-12 shake-up), and the confusion of being a young person who isn't quite sure what they want to do. We also talk about him getting "canned" from the NEA, the first amendment, polarization, ethics, and what we might do to make our politics work better.

Will Lathrop is the first Republican candidate to declare for Oregon’s Attorney General race | EP 119

Will Lathrop is running for the position of Oregon's Attorney General. In this episode Reagan and Will discuss his top priorities as a candidate as well as his perspective on some of Oregon's most hot button issues including Measure 110, Measure 11, and non-unanimous jury verdicts. Lathrop has an extensive background as a prosecutor and believes that solving the 'drug crisis' in Oregon should be a top priority for the AG, as well as Government corruption and crime.
To follow Lathrop's campaign visit: https://www.willlathrop.com/ 

Author Marc Johnson on how Mansfield and Dirksen used political power to solve big problems in turbulent times | EP118

Majority Leader Mike Mansfield and Minority Leader Everett Dirksen, with opposing parties, leadership styles, and personalities, were two of the most impactful figures in America in the 1960s. During a period of political turmoil--global superpowers on the brink of nuclear war, the assassinations of JFK, RFK, and MLK Jr., war, and racial strife--two men from different parties shepherded monumental legislation (the Civil Rights Act, the Voting Rights Act, the Nuclear Test Ban Treaty, the Great Society, etc.) through the Senate with bipartisan consensus. How did they pull it off?
 
In this episode, we talk with author and historian Marc Johnson about these two men, their leadership styles, their relationship with each other (and with Presidents John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson), and their accomplishments. Importantly, though, we talk about whether or not it's possible in today's political environment to do what they did the way they did it. We talk about the lessons that political leaders, including those in Oregon politics, can learn from these two men--and how specifically their approach might have been fundamentally different than most politicians' today. 
 
If you enjoy The Oregon Bridge podcast, you will love this book ("Mansfield and Dirksen: Bipartisan Giants of the Senate"). For young people who have only ever known a dysfunctional Congress, it's a beautiful portrait of two fascinating leaders who guided the US Senate during turbulent times. For everyone, it's a reminder of what's possible when exceptional leaders use political power to solve big problems.

The Scramble for Statewide Office | EP 117

Ben and Reagan are giving the rundown on who you might expect to be in the running for Oregon state-wide positions of Attorney General, State Treasurer, and Secretary of State in the 2024 election cycle. 
For more information check out the article here and be sure to subscribe to the Liftoff weekly newsletter : 
https://theoregonway.substack.com/p/the-liftoff-the-scramble-for-statewide
 

Portland City Commissioner Mingus Mapps is running for Mayor! | EP 116

This week the Oregon Bridge is welcoming back Portland City Commissioner Mingus Mapps who has announced his candidacy for Mayor of Portland! In this episode Mapps lays out his optimistic outlook for the future of the city of Portland, as ell as shed some light on the current structure of the city council and the ways in which the city's governance is expected to change in the coming years. 
 
You can check out our previous conversation with Mapps here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6E468Vpotf0

Introducing Reagan’s Candidate Tracker | EP 115

Host Reagan Knopp is bringing the candidate tracker to OR360 subscribers! The candidate tracker will be updating subscribers with real time information about new candidates as they declare and/or make changes to their campaign trail. Be sure to check out the tracker here: https://theoregonway.substack.com/p/or360-launches-candidate-tracker
And also be sure to subscribe to our YouTube Channel! 
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3t7BqGHYlwrGo2pYX_-W4Q
 

What it’s like to be a Republican National Committeeman with Solomon Yue | EP 114

Solomon Yue is a long-time Republican Party official and Oregon's Republican National Committeeman (RNC). Escaping from Communist China during Mao's cultural revolution, Yue found himself as an immigrant to the US by way of Alaska before ending up in Oregon. Once in Oregon, he slowly began to rise through the ranks eventually culminating in to the peak of GOP influence as a Republican National Committeeman. 
 
Solomon walks us through his time upbringing including his time in a Chinese re-education camp, how being an immigrant shaped his views on politics and policy, and what it's like in a day-to-day capacity as an RNC. We also talk about the Oregon GOP and changes that Solomon would like to see with the party going forward. Solomon also shares his take on a number of newsy topics -- such as the 2024 Republican presidential primary and if he thinks Trump will skip the first debate. 

What the life and legacy of Steve ”Pre” Prefontaine mean to Oregon with Tom Jordan | EP 113

Steve "Pre" Prefontaine is an Oregon legend. Pre was charismatic, controversial, magnetic, gritty, outspoken, and iconic. One of the most talented athletes in Oregon history, Pre was a runner on Bill Bowerman and Bill Delinger's track team at the University of Oregon. He grew up in Coos Bay (which helped shape who he was) and was on the cover of Sports Illustrated by the time he was 18. He was the first athlete ever paid to wear Nike shoes. Pre's life was cut short in a tragic and somewhat mysterious car accident when he was 24-years-old on Skyline Boulevard in Eugene--his death remains the source of conspiracy theories and unanswered questions over 50 years later. 
 
In this episode we talk to Tom Jordan, a giant in the Oregon Track and Field world in his own right, who directed the Prefontaine Classic for 37 years--and who literally wrote the book on Pre. We discuss Pre's life--his childhood in Coos Bay, his swagger as an athlete, his battles against the AAU, his relationship with Nike, the legendary 1972 Olympics, and his untimely death. As a former athlete, reporter, and a contemporary of Pre's, Tom had a front-row seat for many of Pre's accomplishments. We conclude by talking about Pre's legacy and why he matters to Oregon. 

The ”Three Act Play” of the 2023 Legislative Session | EP 112

The 2023 Legislative Session is officially over! After a six-month rollercoaster ride, the legislature adjourned on Sunday, June 25 (the absolute last day possible!). 
 
In this episode, we offer a framework for how to think about the session (a three act play!)--and we also cover some of the major pieces of legislation and budget investments that were passed. We talk about the constitutional referrals (elected official compensation, ranked choice voting, and impeachment) and some of the more highly-publicized bills (e.g. "the potato bill" and self-serve gas). We also discuss what bipartisanship looked like in a politically fraught legislative session (which might surprise you). 

Explaining the ”Greater Idaho” Movement with Matt McCaw | EP 111

Matt McCaw is the spokesman for Greater Idaho, a grassroots organization seeking to allow Idaho to absorb a number of rural Oregon counties. The organization was started a number of years ago in response to the urban-rural divide and what Matt explains are irreconcilable  differences politically and culturally between different parts of the state. Greater Idaho has gained significant international and national media attraction including write ups in the New York Times, CNN, and other major publications.
 
Matt walks us through exactly what the Greater Idaho movement is, why folks like him are pushing for this proposal, and his political reasoning for the cause -- some of which are certain to surprise listeners. He also walks us through the course of action it would take to redraw state borders, resolutions different counties have passed supporting the measure, and common questions he gets. This is an episode you won't want to miss. 

The unsolved murder of an Oregon state agency leader | EP 110

Michael Francke, then the head of the Oregon Department of Corrections, was murdered at work in 1989. The case is both fascinating and disturbing. We know that Francke uncovered corruption within the agency. We know that he was scheduled to testify before a key legislative committee the next morning. We know that Frank Gable, who was prosecuted and convicted of the murder, has been exonerated--and that Francke's family believed Gable was innocent all along. But, three decades later, we still don't know who killed Michael Francke--or why they did it. 
 
In this episode, we talk to three guests who are experts on the case: Kevin Francke (Michael's brother), Phil Stanford (a journalist who covered the story for decades), and Lauren Bright Pacheco, the host of "Murder in Oregon" about the case. We cover the basics of the case and jump into the controversy, intrigue, characters, and the many unsolved mysteries. Importantly, we discuss why this case still matters today--and why we should all care about justice for Michael and the Francke family. Finally, we talk about what should happen next. 
 
We highly recommend the "Murder in Oregon" podcast, a twelve-episode series that features interviews with Nigel Jaquiss, former Oregon State Treasurer Jim Hill, former State Rep. Chuck Sides, journalist Jim Redden, and many more. You can listen on Spotify, Apple, or wherever you get your podcasts. 

What politicos need to know about psilocybin with Nate Howard | EP 109

Nathan "Nate" Howard is an entrepreneur, activist, and political strategist. Having cut his teeth as Deputy Campaign Manager and then a Senior Advisor to Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler, Nate has also worked on some of the most influential ballot measures in Oregon history to include Measure 109 and Measure 110. Measure 109 made Oregon the first state in the country to legalize and regulate Psilocybin services for medical purposes -- an experiment that pro and anti legalization policy wonks are watching closely.  Nate walks us through his background in further detail, the ins-and-outs of psilocybin, and where he sees the ballot initiative taking the state including the ups and downs. 

How do we restore a sense of safety in Portland? Multnomah County District Attorney Mike Schmidt | EP 108

Mike Schmidt is an accomplished attorney and public servant currently serving as the District Attorney of Oregon. With a strong commitment to justice and fairness, Schmidt has made significant contributions to the legal system throughout his career.
Born and raised in Oregon, he possesses an intimate understanding of the community's needs and has dedicated himself to creating a safer and more equitable society. Having earned his Juris Doctor from Lewis & Clark Law School, where he developed a deep passion for criminal justice reform, Schmidt recognized the systemic flaws within the legal system and sought to address them through innovative approaches and progressive policies. Before assuming the role of District Attorney, Mike was a TFA teacher in New Orleans, and then worked as a prosecutor in the District Attorney's office before staffing the Judiciary Committee, and becoming the Executive Director of the Oregon Criminal Justice Commission. This experience provided him with invaluable insight into the challenges faced by marginalized individuals and the pressing need for criminal justice reform.
As the District Attorney of Oregon, Schmidt has spearheaded a groundbreaking approach to criminal justice that emphasizes restorative justice and community engagement. He understands that the traditional punitive methods of prosecution often perpetuate cycles of crime and fail to address the underlying causes. Instead, Schmidt seeks to implement programs that prioritize rehabilitation, reducing recidivism rates, and giving individuals the opportunity to reintegrate into society successfully.
Schmidt has actively worked towards fostering trust and transparency between law enforcement agencies and the communities they serve, and has implemented measures to increase police accountability, promote racial equity, and minimize the unjust targeting and prosecution of marginalized communities, and is recognized as a progressive leader within the legal community.
to learn more about his campaign for 2024 visit: https://mikeschmidtforda.com/
 

Who will be the next Secretary of State? | EP 107

The Oregon politics community is abuzz with questions and theories about the vacancy in the Secretary of State’s office. In this episode, we discuss the role and its significance in state government. We discuss the complex political dynamics of the vacancy and the process for how the position is filled (and the requirements for who can fill it). We also cover the potential candidates and the public statements that have been made by the Governor and other political leaders. Finally, we offer some historical context of how previous vacancies have been filled—and what that might say about this vacancy.

The role of effective communication in Oregon politics with Kristina Edmunson | EP 106

Kristina Edmunson is a seasoned communications professional with a wealth of experience in the field. She is best known for her role as the former Communications Director for Oregon's Attorney General, Ellen Rosenblum. Throughout her tenure, Kristina demonstrated exceptional skills in strategic communication, media relations, and public affairs, contributing significantly to the successful implementation of the Attorney General's agenda.
With a keen understanding of the complexities of legal matters and their impact on communities, Kristina played a pivotal role in shaping the public image of the Attorney General's office. Her expertise in crafting clear and compelling messaging helped to effectively communicate the office's initiatives, priorities, and accomplishments to various stakeholders, including the public, media outlets, and government agencies.During her time as Communications Director, Kristina demonstrated an unwavering commitment to transparency and accountability. She skillfully navigated challenging issues and crisis situations, working closely with the Attorney General's team to ensure accurate and timely dissemination of information while maintaining public trust.
Kristina's ability to forge strong relationships with journalists and media professionals proved instrumental in securing positive media coverage for the Attorney General's office. Her strategic media outreach efforts ensured that important legal developments, consumer protection initiatives, and other key announcements received the attention they deserved.
Prior to her role with the Attorney General's office, Kristina honed her communication skills in various positions within the public and private sectors. Kristina holds a bachelor's degree in Communication Studies, with a focus on strategic communication and public relations. She continues to stay up-to-date with the latest trends and best practices in the field, recognizing the ever-evolving nature of effective communication in today's digital age.
In this episode we take a deeper dive into the role of communications in Oregon's political climate and the threats currently being posed to the field of journalism and the impact that can have on the democratic process.

What political leaders need to know about childbirth and maternal health, with Rebecca Grant

Rebecca Grant is a freelance journalist based in Portland, Oregon, who covers reproductive rights, health, and justice. She recently published a book called "Birth: Three Mothers, Nine Months, and Pregnancy in America" that follows three women in Oregon through the course of their pregnancies. Grant's work has appeared in NPR, The Atlantic, The Washington Post, and many other other publications. She has received grants and fellowships from the International Women’s Media Foundation, the International Reporting Project, and The Investigative Fund. 
 
While abortion often dominates the political discourse on reproductive health in the United States, there are many other critical facets. In this episode, we talk about maternal health outcomes, racial disparities in medical treatment, the tension between OBGYNs and midwives, why hospital births are so dominant (compared to birth centers and home births), and how miscarriages became stigmatized--and why that might be changing. 
 
Links:
Learn more about "Birth" (signed copies available at Powell's!)
Rebecca Grant's website

Why the 1990 election changed Oregon forever, with Jeff Mapes | EP 104

Jeff Mapes is a legendary Oregon political reporter. He spent over 30 years with The Oregonian and retired working for Oregon Public Broadcasting (OPB). He covered dozens of gubernatorial, congressional, and legislative elections in Oregon and had a front row seat to the changing political dynamics of this state. He also wrote and produced an acclaimed podcast called "Growing Oregon" about land use planning in Oregon. If you enjoy The Oregon Bridge, we highly recommend Growing Oregon. 
 
In this episode, we talk about Jeff's storied career as a reporter: how he got started, how the state and political parties have changed, and key figures who made an impact along the way. We talk about land use planning, both historically and in the context of today's political debates.
 
We spend the bulk of the episode talking about one of the most impactful and fascinating elections in Oregon political history. In 1990, Barbara Roberts shattered Oregon's glass ceiling by becoming the first woman ever elected governor, defeating moderate Republican Attorney General Dave Frohnmayer, and independent candidate Al Mobley, who ran as a staunch conservative. We talk about what made the race so unique, and two other election issues in 1990 that still reverberate today: Measure 5 (property tax limits) and the spotted owl. 

What’s next in criminal justice justice reform, with Justin Low | EP 103

Justin Low is an investigative researcher for the Oregon Justice Resource Center (OJRC). OJRC is an organization focused on promoting civil rights and improving legal representation for historically underserved communities; they have been major proponents for criminal justice reform in Oregon.
 
Justin grew up in Oregon City and was raised in an immigrant Filipino-Chinese household. He attended the University of Portland and graduated with a BA in Political Science and Psychology. After college, Justin went on to work as a paralegal/litigation assistant, a campaign manager for state and local races, and a legislative assistant in the Oregon State Legislature. He recently earned his master's degree in Criminal Justice from USC. 
 
In this episode, we talk about some important issues in criminal justice reform in Oregon that are likely to be hot topics--and why they matter to advocates.

How a Pro-Gun Group Stopped Oregon’s Measure 114 | EP 102

Monte Bowen is the Pacific Regional Director for Gun Owners of America (GOA), an influential gun-rights organization based in Washington, D.C., with a presence across the country.  Monte served in law enforcement for 30 years and has extensive experience with the criminal justice system, firearm training, and police tactics. He joins us to talk about GOA's lawsuit that effectively halted Measure 114 after it was passed by Oregon voters via ballot measure in 2022. We also dive into other topics such as school safety, hand-gun bans, background checks, and open carry laws and rules. Want the other side of the debate as well?
Check out our episode below with Moms Demand Action.

Jules Bailey on the future of Portland--and why the bottle bill still matters | EP 101

Jules Bailey is a former Oregon State Representative and former Multnomah County Commissioner. He currently serves as the President and CEO of the Oregon Beverage Recycling Cooperative (OBRC). Bailey ran for Portland Mayor in 2016 and remains a civic leader through his role at OBRC and as board chair for the Oregon League of Conservation Voters and a board member for the Portland Business Alliance. 
 
In this episode, we talk about why he ran for office and his time in the legislature (and some of his colleagues at the time, including Arnie Roblan and Peter Buckley). We cover his stint as a Commissioner (including the challenges/limitations of that role) and why he decided to run for Mayor of Portland in 2016 against Ted Wheeler. We ask Bailey what he thinks about the state of Portland today and get his thoughts on Portland's new form of government. Finally, we cover Bailey's work today with OBRC. We talk about the origin of Oregon's innovative, nation-leading bottle bill, how it's changed over time, and why it still matters today. 
 
For more information about OBRC, check out their website: https://obrc.com/

Celebrating 100 Episodes of The Oregon Bridge Podcast! | EP 100

On our 100th episode, we first and foremost want to say thank you. Thank you for listening, thank you for subscribing, and thank you for sharing this podcast with friends and colleagues. We recently surpassed 60,000 listens (!)—far greater than we expected for our niche podcast. To our listeners, guests, and sponsors: thank you for supporting us. On this episode, we reveal the top five most watched episodes on YouTube and the top five most listened to episodes on podcast platforms. Ben shares some of his favorite episodes—and discusses the trade-offs of interviewing elected officials. Finally, we cover what you can expect from the future of the pod, and opportunities to be engaged.

Dave Frohnmayer, Rajneeshees, PERS, and the changing legal field with Harrang Long P.C. | EP 99

Bob Steringer is the firm president of Harrang Long P.C. and Bill Gary is the firm's senior trial attorney (and former Solicitor General of the State of Oregon). Both are well-respected attorneys with deep experience in Oregon politics, law, and government. Harrang Long P.C. is Oregon360 Media's first advertising partner, and in this episode we discuss the firm's interesting position at the intersection of law, business, and policy--and what their future looks like. 
 
Gary was Dave Frohnmayer's chief deputy when he served as Oregon's Attorney General; Steringer was an intern of Frohnmayer's 1990 gubernatorial run--both worked with him at Harrang Long P.C. later in Frohnmayer's career. They reflect on who Frohnmayer was and what made him a unique and consequential figure in Oregon history. We also talk about the Rajneeshees--a complicated and high-profile issue that Gary navigated in the AG's office. You may have seen Gary in the popular netflix documentary "Wild, Wild Country". In this episode, he discusses that experience and tells some mind-blowing stories from a wild period in Oregon politics.
 
To learn more about Harrang Long P.C., visit their website: https://harrang.com/
 
More links: 
Dave Frohnmayer's prescient "New Tribalism" speech/essay
Bob Steringer on Twitter: @SteringerLaw 
Netflix documentary on Rajneeshee Movement: Wild, Wild Country

Metro Councilor Juan Gonzalez offers a framework for navigating complex challenges | EP 98

Juan Carlos Gonzalez is the Metro Councilor for District 4 (which includes parts of Beaverton, Bethany, Aloha, Bonny Slope, Raleigh Hills, West Slope, Cedar Mill and Cedar Hills, Hillsboro, Cornelius and Forest Grove). When he was sworn in, he made history as the youngest and first elected Latino Metro Councilor in the history of Metro.
 
Juan brings an interesting and thoughtful perspective to complex questions: in this episode, we cover land use planning, equity in decision making, semiconductors, housing supply, and transportation infrastructure. We also cover sports and the role of athletics and outdoor recreation in Oregon's economy. We enjoyed chatting with Juan because he's transparent in how he thinks about challenging questions and acknowledges tradeoffs inherent in public policy.
 
To learn more about Juan, find him on social media or at Metro.

Professor Rohan Grey is an Oregonian making waves in Washington and Wall Street | EP 97

Professor Rohan Grey is an Oregonian making waves in Washington and Wall Street -- all from his office at Willamette Law School. A professor of economics and financial regulation, Grey is one of the leading proponents of the "mint the coin" theory which advocates that the US government mint a trillion dollar coin to stop a potential default between Republicans and Democrats in Washington. Grey also discusses his fascinating career background, his theory behind money and the creation of it, and a lot more in this episode. Here's a link to a New York Times article discussing further about some of Grey's beliefs and the coin theory: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/02/02/business/trillion-dollar-coin-debt-ceiling.html

Mayor David Drotzmann has a clear view on solving the urban rural divide | EP 96

In this episode, Hermiston Mayor David Drotzmann explains why one size fits all policy solutions don’t always work for rural Oregon, the challenges of small town politics, and how nonpartisan local government can help solve for the new era of partisan divisions. 

What does the Governor’s Chief of Staff do? With Nik Blosser | EP 95

Nik Blosser has held jobs at the highest levels of the state and federal government. He served at Gov. Kate Brown's Chief of Staff for over three years, and then went on to serve as Deputy Cabinet Secretary and Special Assistant to President Joe Biden. Recently, he returned to Oregon to work as vice president for public policy, communications and public affairs at PGE.
 
In this episode, we ask Nik about what the Governor's chief of staff actually does--and how they navigate the challenging decisions that fall on their desk. We revisit some of the most difficult moments of the Kate Brown Administration, including COVID-19 and wildfires. We also ask Nik about what it's like working at the federal level. As you might have expected, there is also some time spent on fun stories from earlier days of Oregon politics. 

The profound legacy of Governor Vic Atiyeh with Jim Moore | EP 94

Jim Moore is a well-known political commentator and the Director of Political Outreach for the Tom McCall Center for Civic Engagement at Pacific University. Moore also recently completed a soon-to-be released biography of Vic Atiyeh, the 32nd Governor of Oregon.
This episode centers on Atiyeh’s tenure as Governor and some of the lasting impacts of his administration. We cover how he managed through crisis (including the largest bioterrorism attack in US history and the Rajneeshee crisis in Wasco County) and the ways his legacy are still felt today. Moore helps us think through the similarities and differences between our current political environment (and current Governor) with Atiyeh and his tenure.
Atiyeh was a special man who led Oregon during a challenging and fascinating period of history.

Are non-affiliated voters being disenfranchised? A potential path to ending closed primaries with Michael Calcagno | EP 93

Michael Calcagno joins The Oregon Bridge to talk about All Oregon Votes. The ballot measure seeks to end partisan primaries, a proposal that has failed in the past. Michael talks about why this time could be different. 

Why Tom McCall still matters: A conversation with Brent Walth | EP 92

Brent Walth is one of Oregon's most decorated journalists. Now a professor at the University of Oregon School of Journalism and Communication, he previously worked as a reporter for the Register Guard, Willamette Week, and The Oregonian. In 2000, he was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize, and in 2001, he won the prize, along with three colleagues at The O.
 
Walth is the author of Fire at Eden's Gate: Tom McCall and the Oregon Story, one of the best books about Oregon ever written. It tells the story of the man who may be the most influential governor in modern Oregon history: Tom McCall. McCall was a giant personality with an outsized impact on the state. He is best remembered for a series of groundbreaking environmental policies, including Oregon's public beach bill, the bottle bill, the Willamette River cleanup, and--perhaps most relevant today--Oregon's land use planning system.
 
Here's the thesis: if you want to understand contemporary Oregon politics, you have to understand Tom McCall and his legacy. Most governors that followed McCall have tried, in some way, to emulate his image, oratory, style, or policy impact. A progressive Republican, McCall helped establish Oregon's identity as a place with independent spirit and a heart for environmental protection. He helped build our reputation as place where innovation and creative policy-making happens.
 
McCall was not perfect. He cold be thin-skinned, had a quick temper, and craved the validation of voters. But he also consistently stood up to powerful interests and always spoke his mind--and no one loved Oregon more than Tom McCall. In this episode with McCall's biographer, we discuss his lasting legacy--and why he still matters today.

How Greg Walden almost didn’t go to Congress | EP 91

Greg Walden is a giant in Oregon politics. In this episode Congressman Walden dishes on his 11 terms in Congress, what it was like serving alongside four Presidents in 22 years. He also shares the story about how he almost didn’t run for congress.

Conservative journalist Matthew Foldi gives the insider scoop on Kevin McCarthy’s Speaker Race and the GOP Congress | EP 90

Matthew (Matt) Foldi is a conservative journalist and activist with a plethora of political experience at the national and local level. He is one of the youngest elected officials in Chicago history, served as the Rapid Response Director for Speaker the House Republican Super PAC, and ran for Congress in 2022 with -- garnering endorsements from GOP heavyweights like Donald Trump Jr. and Speaker Kevin McCarthy.We bring in Matt to give us a rundown in terms of why the GOP red wave failed to materialize, an inside look on Rep. Kevin McCarthy's historic vote to take the House Gavel. Matt also discusses what the GOP Congress has in store for 2022 and 2024 and gives his insights into when candidates on the GOP side of the aisle will begin announcing for President.