The Bridge by OR360

After a decade of activism, Cameron Whitten is fired up and optimistic about Portland's future! Cameron's political activism journey began on the streets during the 2011 occupy movement where he emerged as a key influencer of a hunger strike that lasted over a month. In the years that followed, Cameron ran for Portland city mayor and has been an active participant in the Black Lives Matter movement since its inception. During the height of Portland protests in the Summer of 2020, Cameron was able to raise over a million dollars in private cash donations, which were then redistributed to Portland residents in need. This laid the foundation for Cameron's non-profit work with Black Resilience Fund and Brown Hope they are conducting today. After receiving the Skidmore Prize, The Willamette Week recently referred to Cameron as Portland's Non-Profit "Superstar" and along with those efforts, Cameron most recently ran a tough campaign for OR Metro District 5, with a platform centered around affordable housing and reparations for Oregon's black community.

Jessica Gomez is a business leader and running as a Republican candidate for governor. Born in New York, she relocated to the Southern Oregon with her family at a young age where she later experienced family issues and homelessness. Jessica overcame these tough circumstances and moved on to found and serve as CEO of a successful semiconductor company that now employs nearly 30 people. She also serves on the board of trustees of the Oregon Institute of Technology and a number of other Southern Oregon community organizations. Jessica identified as a Democrat until the mid-2010s but is running on the platform of self-described "moderate" Republican who believes she can unify the state (and electorate) with her pro-business and education reform agenda. We have a wide ranging conversation and discuss everything from critical race theory to semiconductors and geopolitical competition with China (Alex finally got his China question). We also talk about what it means for Jessica to be the only major gubernatorial candidate who is a person of color and what a GOP agenda for racial justice might look like.

Close races, but results are in for Virginia and New Jersey elections. Biden's infrastructure bill is making political and economic waves. Vaccines for kids and boosters are rolling out.  What does this all mean for the 2022 Oregon election? Find out on this episode of The Bridge.

Dirk VandertHart is one of Oregon's most prominent political journalists, working for OPB. Previously, he worked at the Portland Mercury, and before that worked at several local publications across the country. Many Oregon politicos will recognize his voice from radio or from the OPB Politics Now podcast. He is an incredibly well-sourced and thoughtful reporter with many nuggets of wisdom and insight you're unlikely to hear from anyone else. In this episode, we discuss the state of local journalism in Oregon, and Dirk explains whether he's optimistic or pessimistic about the future of state politics reporting in Oregon. Dirk's also tells us about his path to Oregon (and whether he considers himself an Oregonian) and some of the things he's learned along the way. Then, we dive into the most important political topics of today: redistricting and the 2022 election.

As you may have heard, our co-host, Ben Bowman, has announced that he's running for the Oregon State House in the newly-created District 25 (Tigard and parts of Beaverton). In addition to hosting this podcast and writing a weekly politics newsletter for Oregon360, Ben is the chair of the Tigard-Tualatin School Board. Previously, he worked for former Rep. Margaret Doherty and then-Rep. Val Hoyle (now Labor Commissioner).    In this episode, Alex asks Ben about how campaigns work, what he hopes to do in the legislature, and how his run for office will impact The Bridge podcast.    If you want to learn more about Ben's campaign (and offer your support!), check out his website: www.BenForOregon.com  

Reagan Knopp is a conservative political consultant with over ten years of experience working in Oregon politics, campaigns, the state legislature, and more. He owns a small consulting firms and serves as the Editor in Chief of The Oregon Catalyst, a conservative blog covering Oregon politics. This episode might surprise you. Reagan walks us through what happened with redistricting, the future of the Oregon Republican Party, and what Oregon Republicans could learn from Stacey Abrams and Georgia Democrats. If you listen closely, you also might hear from Reagan's daughter in this episode!

Amaury Vogel 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.  We also talk about some of OVBC's incredible research on everything from climate change to wildfires to homelessness to Greater Idaho. Amaury worked for Volunteers of America – Oregon for 7 years providing direct service and managing programs. She worked with vulnerable populations in a variety of settings, including early childhood education, domestic violence, and the healthcare system. She earned an interdisciplinary studies degree with a primary focus in psychology and a secondary focus in social work.

The Oregon Bridge is now The Bridge by OR360 Media! After 24 very successful episodes, the founders are sitting down in this episode to talk about the bright future of the podcast, of OR360, and demystify the suite of products that we will be offering moving forward including "The Way", "The Bridge", The Liftoff " and more! Thank you all so much for your support of the podcast, we couldn't do this without you! Be sure to follow and subscribe @OR360media on all major platforms!

The Oregon Bridge goes "under the hood' in this episode with our own producer Buddy Terry.  Buddy was born in Portland and raised in rural St. Helens Oregon. Along with being a full time multimedia producer, Buddy is a graduate of Anthropology from Oregon State University, and is currently pursuing his Masters of Journalism and Documentary Film Production at the University of California at Berkeley.  In this episode, Buddy discloses a little bit about his own personal politics, sheds some light on the 21st century state of news media, and takes listeners behind the scenes a bit by breaking down the Oregon Bridge production process.

Val Hoyle has been a leading figure in Oregon politics since she was appointed to the State House in 2010. She was quickly elected House Majority Leader by her colleagues, where she oversaw the political and campaign functions of the House Democrats. After a close second-place finish in the primary for Secretary of State in 2016, she was elected in 2018 as Oregon's 10th Commissioner of Labor and Industries, winning 17 of Oregon's 36 counties. She is frequently discussed as a potential candidate for Congress or Governor in the future. This was a fun conversation. In this episode, Hoyle talks about her theory on why political polarization has worsened in America. She also talks about how the Bureau of Labor and Industries is re-imagining apprenticeships so more people can benefit, and how she has worked to change the culture of the state agency she leads. As a bonus, she also tells the story of the first time she met Ben (who worked for her when she was Majority Leader).

Bridget Barton is currently the leading fundraiser in the GOP primary for Oregon governor. While she has never held public office, but she's been involved in Oregon politics for decades as a consultant and in volunteer positions. She has deep connections among GOP leaders and is considered one of the front runners for the Republican nomination. In this episode she tells us her personal story about addiction and being in recovery. Her experience informs her policy proposals for addressing Oregon's addiction crisis, and she has some views that might surprise you. We also discuss homelessness, the challenges facing the city of Portland, COVID-19 vaccine mandates, and campaign finance reform.

In this interview with business leader, author, political theorist, and speaker of a popular TED talk Katherine Gehl, we talk about why our political system is "fixed" and incentivizing the wrong behavior from elected leaders. Gehl is a fascinating figure. She's a successful businesswoman who sold her high-tech food company for $250 million so she could focus full-time on her organization, the Institute For Political Innovation (IPI), and bringing  Final Five voting to states across the country.   Final-Five Voting is the combination of (1) a single open primary election with the top 5 candidates advancing to the general election and (2) ranked-choice voting in the general election. A similar proposal passed in Alaska in 2020. This kind of proposal could be coming to Oregon in 2024 via ballot measure, and it could fundamentally change Oregon's electoral system. In this episode, we explore Gehl's diagnosis of the problem (the "political industrial complex"), her solutions, and we talk through some potential critiques from Alex and Ben. 

This week, Ben and Alex discuss some big changes happening with the podcast -- and the formation of Oregon360, a partnership with The Oregon Way and The Liftoff Newsletter. Subscribe for free, or become a founding member, at www.TheOregonWay.substack.com. We really appreciate your support! Then, we dive into the biggest news stories of the week with everything you need to know about what's happening in Oregon politics, government, campaigns, and elections. We offer analysis on Speaker Tina Kotek's likely announcement she is running for Governor, Nick Kristof's residency memo, Val Hoyle's good week, and more. We also talk redistricting and whether national Republicans will invest cash in Oregon, the saga of the Newberg School Board, Proud Boys vs. Antifa, and the ever-controversial kicker.

Dr. Bud Pierce is a familiar name in Oregon. A cancer doctor, he was the GOP nominee for Governor in 2016, losing to Governor Kate Brown by about 8 points. Six years later, with an open seat in 2022, Dr. Pierce is once again a leading contender for the GOP nomination -- and he thinks Oregon is ready to break the Republican losing streak. This interview spans Dr. Pierce's personal life, political views, and policy ideas. He shares how he has coped with the recent loss of his wife, Selma, and what advice he has for others who are grieving. Dr. Pierce also offers his perspective on masks, vaccines, and other pandemic-related policy. He has an interesting reason for opposing mask mandates (it has to do with his goal of getting more people vaccinated). We talk about the GOP brand and the impact of Donald Trump, Portland's challenges with housing and homelessness, and his view on the Governor's role in education policy and how he would measure his success. We also talk about campaign finance reform and the impact of his significant self-funding on the race.

Casey Kulla has worn many hats: cannabis farmer, ecologist, entrepreneur, scientist, husband, father, and Yamhill County Commissioner. He's now added "gubernatorial candidate" to the resume as the first Democrat to officially launch a bid for Oregon Governor. He knows he has an unusual background for this kind of race and that his bid may be a long-shot in some folks' eyes, and in this interview he discusses why he believes he is the right candidate for this moment and how he plans to win. We talk about how a proposed walking trail in Yamhill county has ignited the urban-rural divide and polarized the community (and what that tells about broader social/political forces). We discuss the decline of Oregon's timber industry and what Democrats should offer to folks living in economically depressed rural communities. He explains why he believes racial justice groups are not happy with the status quo leadership in Oregon, and what he would do differently. Finally, we ask about viability and how he plans to beat the heavyweights who are certain to enter the field soon.

Susheela Jayapal is a Multnomah County Commissioner. She moved to the United States from India at the age of 16; a Portlander for the last 25 years, she also has deep roots in the Pacific Northwest (her sister is also in politics, Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal from Washington State). Her resume is extensive and impressive, including working as Adidas America's top lawyer and serving in leadership roles with many nonprofits and community-based organizations.  In this episode, Commissioner Jayapal discusses Portland's reputation, whether or not our existing homelessness solutions are at scale, and the intersection between racial justice and criminal justice. Also: an interesting discussion about why and how the identities of the five commissioners (all women, three women of color) matter -- plus, one thing she is doing to help close the urban-rural divide. It's an interesting conversation that ranges from deep policy analysis to personal stories about her family -- we hope you enjoy!

There is no one else in the Oregon legislature like Sen. Sara Gelser. Over the last decade, she has been at the center of some of the most important issues in Oregon politics. She has received national recognition (e.g. Time Person of the Year during the #MeToo movement) -- and she occasionally criticizes her own party and leadership. She has long been a legislative warrior on child welfare issues in Oregon, and this episode includes some wild stories. This is a fascinating conversation that covers a lot of ground: the significant power vested in the House Speaker and Senate President, culture change and sexual harassment in the legislature, the urban-rural divide, and the dramatic failures and meaningful successes of Oregon's child welfare system. Pro tip for this episode: at the 30-minute mark, the discussion shifts to child welfare, and it is both remarkable and important. We highly recommend you listen to the last segment of the episode. 

James Ball and Nick Prelosky are longtime Republicans...but they can't stand Donald Trump. Nick and James have a successful podcast called "The Rational Republican" that explores the state of their Party in Oregon and nationally. In this episode, Alex (a proud Trump admin alum) and Ben (a progressive Democrat) debate, argue, and even sometimes agree. It's a lively conversation. Can Republicans win statewide in Oregon again? Maybe. We talk about what it would take. We also talk about Portland's homelessness/housing problem -- and what we could do about it. We touch on abortion, taxes, big tech, and more. 

Today, we've got an Oregon Bridge exclusive interview! Lori Chavez-DeRemer, a Republican former mayor of Happy Valley, just announced that she is challenging Rep. Kurt Schrader in Oregon's 5th Congressional District. In this interview, we ask her about why she's running -- and she drops some clues about the kind of campaign she will run against Rep. Schrader. We talk about the role President Joe Biden may play in the campaign, whether anything can get done in a broken Congress, and the prospect of a rematch against Rep. Janelle Bynum (if they both get drawn into a new congressional district after redistricting). 

Rep. Dacia Grayber is considered a rising star in Oregon politics. A professional firefighter, she was named by Willamette Week as a "Leader who Emerged" during the pandemic and she is one of the few true "labor Democrats" in the state legislature. In this interview, we talk about her unusual (and sometimes aggressive) social media use, whether Republicans in Oregon have a shot at winning more working class voters, reparations, and the prospect of another devastating wildfire season.

Congressman Cliff Bentz is the newest member of Oregon's congressional delegation, defeating Knute Buehler, Jason Atkinson, and eight other candidates in 2020 to replace longtime Rep. Greg Walden in Oregon's second congressional district (the state's only safe Republican seat). Previously, Bentz was a state legislator with a reputation for dealmaking (e.g. one of the architects of Oregon's $5.3 billion transportation package in 2017). In Congress, Bentz' voting record has been interesting: he voted against certifying Pennsylvania's election results, but in favor of establishing a commission to investigate the January 6 insurrection against Congress. In this episode, we discuss whether an infrastructure deal is possible in DC, how Congress compares to the legislature, and Oregon's urban-rural divide. We also talk about the pressure (or lack thereof) of party leadership in DC (Kevin McCarthy!) and his thoughts on the Greater Idaho movement.

Mayor Stan Pulliam of Sandy, Oregon has made national headlines (New York Times!) over his resistance to Oregon's response to the COVID-19 pandemic (especially Governor Kate Brown's executive orders). He is among the "top-tier" GOP candidates for Oregon Governor in 2022 and he's beginning to pick up steam with the grassroots. In this episode, he talks about being mayor of a small city, his vision for Oregon's pandemic recovery, and what Oregon's governor should and shouldn't do with regards to racial justice, homelessness, and public education. The conversation includes some animated sparring on the impact of COVID-19 on Oregonians and the role of government in emergency situations.

Micah Meadowcroft and Nate Hochman are two leading young conservative voices (millenial and zoomer, respectively) with national profiles, both with roots in the Pacific Northwest. This conversation starts by discussing what "conservatism" means for the Republican Party in the age of Trumpism and the nuanced differences between conservative factions. We also talk about the GOP's challenge with younger voters. We wrap with focus on the political environment in Oregon (and Portland!) and discuss what it will take for Republicans to win again. Micah is the managing editor of the American Conservative magazine and previously served as the White house Liaison for the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Nate is an Associate Contributor for Young Voices and a 2021 Publius Fellow (joining the ranks of our co-host, Alex Titus). He has written for National Review, City Journal, and others.

Oregon State Treasurer Tobias Read, the "de facto Chief Financial Officer" of the state, has served in both the state and federal governments. He worked for Larry Summers and Sheryl Sandberg during the Clinton Administration before returning to the Pacific Northwest (he graduated from Willamette University and then earned an MBA from the University of Washington). He served in the State House before being elected Treasurer. In this episode, Treasurer Read discusses his policy accomplishments at Treasury (like the national-leading OregonSaves initiative) and his views on the evolution of Democratic Party/where he fits in. He also discusses his op-ed in The Oregonian, which criticized the State Legislature and Governor for the lack of strategic reopening plan for Oregon's economy post-pandemic, saying: "We need to stop reacting and start leading." Treasurer Read is often cited as a potential candidate for Governor in 2022 -- we ask him about that, too.

Senator Dallas Heard is a rising figure in Oregon Republican politics with a growing influence on the political right. He has deep ties in Southern Oregon, where he is a business owner and represents Roseburg in the state senate (he previously served in the state house). Recently, he was elected Chair of the Oregon Republican Party on a populist, Trump-aligned agenda. Senator Heard has gained national attention for ripping off his mask on the floor of the senate and sparring with colleagues. He answers questions about the "Citizens Against Tyranny" group that earned headlines for resisting COVID-19 public health rules, the future of the GOP in Oregon, and how the Party might compete at the statewide level in a post-Trump world. Senator Heard is considered a potential candidate for statewide office, including Oregon Governor, in 2022 and beyond.

On election night 2020, NBC news declared: "America's war on drugs is finally ending." Buzzfeed wrote: "Drugs Won The 2020 Presidential Election." Across the United States, drug legalization and decriminalization efforts are winning -- from deep blue to ruby red states. With the overwhelming passage of Ballot Measure 110, Oregon solidified its position as a national leader on drug reform. Both proponents and opponents are looking to Oregon to see what the fallout will be. Matt Sutton of the Drug Policy Alliance joins the pod to explain Measure 110, discuss how Oregon fits into the national trends, and debate whether there is an emerging bipartisan realignment on drug issues.

Jamie McLeod Skinner is one of the most interesting figures in Oregon politics. She gained prominence by challenging longtime GOP congressman Greg Walden in Oregon's deep-red second congressional district in 2018 -- and coming closer to beating him than any other candidate in his two decade career. She then ran a competitive race for Oregon Secretary of State in the 2020 Democratic Primary. Jamie has unique insight on Oregon's urban-rural divide, living in central Oregon and serving as interim city manager for Talent (a town recovering from devastating wildfires). In this episode, Jamie offers honest critiques of Oregon's political institutions and systems and talks about racial justice from a rural perspective.

Rep. Christine Drazan is a state representative from rural Clackamas County, serving as the House Republican Leader (a position she was elected to after only 9 months in the legislature, a remarkable feat). She joined the pod to talk about the differences in the Oregon Legislature from when she worked as a staffer in the 1990s to today, sexual harassment in the workplace, and and Oregon's response to the pandemic. Rep. Drazan has a unique perspective on how the GOP could regain traction in Oregon in a post-Trump political landscape.

Lori Chavez-DeRemer is a former mayor of Happy Valley, a two-time Republican nominee for the state legislature, and a small business owner. She joins the Oregon Bridge to discuss former Rep. Knute Buehler's exodus from the Republican Party, why more mayors should run for higher office, race and "identity politics", and Governor Kate Brown's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Kevin Frazier is a law student who has founded several nonprofits and ventures, including The Oregon Way, a SubStack newsletter that serves as a virtual op-ed page for Oregon politics. In this episode, Kevin talks about the place for moderates in our polarized political system, feeling disenfranchised from the Democratic Party, and the future of local journalism. 

In the 2020 election, 28-year-old Alek Skarlatos came closer to beating longtime Congressman Peter DeFazio (D-Eugene) than anyone else has in the last three decades. He earned international recognition for helping stop a terrorist attack in Paris, and went on to play himself in a Clint Eastwood-directed film about the event. In this episode, Alek talks about the January 6th Capitol Insurrection, big tech, Oregon's urban-rural divide, and the future of the GOP in Oregon. 

Rep. Wlnsvey Campos is the youngest woman ever elected to the Oregon State Legislature and is an emerging leader in the progressive wing of the Democratic Party in Oregon. Ben and Alex ask her about how she got endorsed by Bernie Sanders, her views on race in politics, and how she plans to advance a progressive agenda in the Oregon legislature (including some news on a new caucus and PAC to support like-minded candidates).

Welcome to The Oregon Bridge Podcast! Hosted by Ben Bowman & Alex Titus! Follow & Subscribe: @oregonbridgepod   This is a podcast about the future of Oregon politics, featuring guests from across the political spectrum. Subscribe to the podcast to hear from leaders across Oregon on the state of our political environment -- and what the future might look like.