The Bridge by OR360

The wild story of when Kate Brown and Peter Courtney ran against each other, with guest Rick Metsger | EP 88

Rick Metsger served for a decade in the Oregon State Senate before being nominated by President Barack Obama to serve on the board of the National Credit Union Administration. In this episode, we talk briefly about Rick's tenure as a State Senator and about the vetting process he went through before being appointed to his post in the Obama Administration.
The bulk of the episode is Rick telling the wild story of the time when Kate Brown, then-Senate Democratic Leader, competed with then-Senator Peter Courtney for the position of Senate President. The caucus election had a significant, long-lasting impact on Oregon's political landscape for decades--including setting Kate Brown on the path to the governorship.
Rick was a member of the Senate Democratic Caucus at the time of this election. He interviewed 15 former colleagues in the Senate (Democrats and Republicans) before writing an essay that reveals the behind-the-scenes dynamics that ultimately led to Peter Courtney's ascension to the Senate Presidency--a role he held for two decades. We also ask him about why he chose to reveal this story publicly today (including conversations in Caucus Meetings, which were considered confidential).

The State of Gun Safety Policy w/ Moms Demand Action Chapter Leader Hilary Uhlig | EP 87

Hilary Uhlig is the volunteer Oregon Chapter Leader of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, an organization that advocates for gun safety legislation. Moms Demand Action, Mayors Against Illegal Guns, and Students Demand Action are three component groups of Everytown for Gun Safety, a national nonprofit. 
 
In this episode we talk about the state of gun safety in Oregon, including the passage of Measure 114, a significant (and controversial) ballot measure that creates a new permitting system for gun ownership and bans the sale of magazines over ten rounds. We talk about how the measure works and the current legal challenges that are playing out in court. We also talk about some major policies that have passed recently in Oregon and what policies the organization is working toward moving forward.

Nigel Jaquiss tells the most shocking story in modern Oregon political history | EP 86

Nigel Jaquiss is one of the top political reporters in Oregon. He has helped the Willamette Week, an alternative newspaper, punch above its weight class in breaking multiple major political stories over the last 25 years. Before entering journalism, Nigel worked as a crude oil trader on Wall Street--in this episode he talks about why he made a significant career change, his view on the role of journalism in politics, and how his role at WW has changed over time. 
 
We also talk about the story that won him the Pulitzer Prize in 2005: one of the most shocking stories in modern Oregon political history. Nigel broke the news of former Governor Neil Goldschmidt's repeated sexual abuse of a 14-year-old girl in a dramatic, horrifying story called "The 30-Year Secret". Our younger listeners are likely not familiar with this story, so we asked Nigel to re-tell it and explain its significance for a younger audience. Our older listeners may have forgotten some of the jaw-dropping details. 
 
There is no contemporary equivalent in Oregon politics to Neil Goldschmidt in power or stature. He was Portland mayor, a cabinet secretary in the Carter Administration, and a popular governor. Even after he left office, he wielded tremendous political power, as Nigel describes in the podcast. Exposing his sexual abuse rocked the political world and changed Oregon politics forever. 
 
In this episode, we do not cover the woman who was raped by Goldschmidt as a young teenager, Elizabeth Lynn Dunham. Dunham's name was withheld by WW until she died in 2011. To learn about who she was and the troubled, heartbreaking life she lived--and the lifelong impact of Goldschmidt's abuse--we recommend you read her obituary (also by Jaquiss).

Republican Recap, Jimmy, Alex and Regan debrief the 2022 election cycle | EP 85

Jimmy Crumpacker returns to the Oregon Bridge to break down the 2022 election, highlighting everything from homelessness, and crime in Portland to crypto to commodities. 
Folks may remember Jimmy Crumpacker as a candidate for Oregon's 2nd Congressional District in 2020, running as a staunchly conservative Republican (he had a popular ad that labeled him as a "Trumpbacker") to replace retiring Congressman Greg Walden. In a tight four-way race, he finished behind eventual winner Congressman Cliff Bentz, Knute Buehler, and Jason Atkinson. 
 

Gratitude from The Oregon Bridge podcast (and a sports teaser) | EP 84

It's the week after Thanksgiving, and we're taking a break from politics! This week, Ben and Reagan offer some thoughts on what they're grateful for, metrics on how the podcast is doing, highlights from their Thanksgiving, news from the weekend's sporting events, and a few other hot topics. 
 
To all of our listeners, viewers, and supporters--thank you. We love creating this podcast and we're grateful for your continued support. 

Why did the red wave miss Oregon? An election debrief with John Horvick | EP 83

John Horvick is one of the top pollsters in Oregon. In this episode, John provides expert analysis to help explain the results of the election—and the implications for Oregon’s future. We talk about why the red wave didn’t hit Oregon, how national factors impacted Oregon results, the importance of candidate quality, and bright spots for both parties. We cover the governor’s race, congressional races, the legislature, and what the results from Portland mean about how voters are feeling. 
As always, we highly recommend following John on Twitter for poll results, political analysis, and interesting historical comparisons: @Horvick. 

The government’s role in growing Oregon’s news ecosystem, with the Agora Journalism Center | EP 82

This week’s guests are Regina Lawrence and Andrew DeVigal from the Agora Journalism Center at the University of Oregon. We talk about the state of Oregon’s news and information ecosystem—and some of the innovative ideas from across the state. This conversation is about journalism, but specifically for a more politics-focused audience. 
If you haven’t yet, we highly recommend you read Agora’s recent report (or at least the Executive Summary!): Assessing Oregon’s Local News & Information Ecosystem 2022. Oregon’s information ecosystem plays a huge role in our politics—if you care about a healthy civic culture, you should care about access to state and local news.

Secretary Shemia Fagan on election integrity and how Oregon counts ballots | EP 81

This week, we are excited to have Oregon Secretary of State Shemia Fagan as our guest! We all knew that there were going to be many close races this election--from the top of the ticket on down, so we thought it was important for our listeners to understand how Oregon's election system works. In this episode, Secretary Fagan explains her role and the protocols that county elections follow to ensure ballots are counted accurately. We also discuss what she sees as the greatest threat to election integrity in Oregon, how the roles of the Oregon Secretary of State vary from the roles in other states, how the audit function of her office works, and her advice for how to make state government work better. Secretary Fagan also gives a tip for how to manage the anxiety of election night--you'll want to keep this in mind for next cycle! As a bonus, after the pod was recorded, Ben Morris shared that about 10,000 folks were on the SOS results website on the primary election night--so you can bet there were a lot more on November 8th!

What Tobias Read learned running for Governor | EP 80 Oregon State Treasurer Tobias Read

In this episode, State Treasurer Tobias Read reflects on his experience running for Governor, provides updates on some hot topics at Treasury (e.g. the “work from home” dispute), and muses on what his future might look like after he is term-limited in two years. We talk about his recent New York Times op-ed (A Sneaky Form of Climate Obstruction Hurts Pension Funds), PERS, crypto/blockchain, and more.

DA Kevin Barton on Measure 110, the public defense crisis, and Betsy Johnson

Kevin Barton is the District Attorney of Washington County. First elected in 2018, he previously served as a career prosecutor in the same office. Both of Barton's elections for DA made state and national headlines, with millions of dollars raised from wealthy donors on both sides (including Phil Knight and George Soros). 
 
In this episode we cover Barton's elections, the philosophy behind his national media appearances (including Fox News), how Multnomah County impacts his work in Washington County, and why he supports Betsy Johsnon. We also cover two high-profile issues that will be facing the state legislature in 2023: Measure 110 and the public defense crisis. 
 
Here's a link to the Oregon Judicial Department Dashboard that Barton mentions in the episode, and here's a link to Barton's DA website. 

Representative Raquel Moore-Green is running for one of the most competitive seats in Oregon | EP 78

State Representative Raquel Moore-Green is running against Deb Patterson for one of the most competitive state legislative seats in Oregon, and has been serving the South Salem community for decades.
As a veteran politician, Representative Moore-Green was appointed to the state senate in senate district 10 after working on a number of campaigns as a legislative and campaign staffer, including campaigns for Representative, then Commissioner Kevin Cameron, and the late Jackie Winters. Raquel is a passionate leader and in this episode we dive extensively into the effects of Measure 110, the housing and homeless crisis, and mental / behavioral health issues, as some of the top issues on the forefront of voter's minds this cycle.
You can check out Rep. Moore-Green's work and campaign here. https://rmgsd10.com/
She also gave out her email and phone number in the episode so tune in for that!

Building a future in a shifting Oregon economy with GOP candidate Daniel Bonham | EP 77

Aviation, trees, Maupin, and Betsy Johnson. Daniel Bonham  is a Republican member of the Oregon House of Representatives representing district 59 in Central Oregon and is currently running for Oregon State Senator.
Stay tuned for the interesting anecdote about Bonham's first encounter with 22' Oregon gubernatorial candidate Betsy Johnson. 

Red Wave or Blue Wall? Senator Rachel Armitage on the 2022 election | EP 76

Senator Rachel Armitage re-joins the Bridge to discuss democratic representation in rural Oregon districts and the 2022 election. 
Senator Armitage representing rural northwest Oregon. A Democrat, Armitage has deep experience in politics, including working as a legislative assistant for Rep. Susan McLain and former Rep. Carla Piluso. She also worked at the national level on the campaigns of Montana Senator Jon Tester and former North Carolina Senator Kay Hagan. Gowland grew up in Medford, and in this episode we talk about the the governor's race, current polling and whether or not Democrats can compete in rural districts in 2022.

The biggest surprises (and bloopers) from the 2022 Voters Pamphlet | EP 75

This week, Ben and Reagan analyze the 2022 Voters Pamphlet. They talk about the mechanics of getting into the voters pamphlet, why it matters, and some of the common (and uncommon) strategies that campaigns use to appeal to voters. This year, there were some funny “bloopers”—mistakes, spelling errors, and minor embellishments—plus some unusual endorsements (including a high-profile professional athlete). 

Behind 2022’s eye-popping fundraising numbers | EP 74

This week, Ben and Reagan outline the fundraising and cash-on-hand totals for key races in Oregon (including the race for Governor, BOLI, and the battle to control the legislature). We also discuss how listeners should think about the numbers, and some caveats to be aware before taking too much stock in money. 

”Red Wave”? Alex and Reagan discuss what the election could look like for republicans this year | EP 73

With Ben being on administrative leave this week, The Oregon Bridge's newest co-host Reagan Knopp is sitting down with "host emeritus" Alex Titus to discuss what the political landscape looks like for Republican candidates leading up to the 2022 election, just a few months away. 
 
In this special "Red Wave" episode Alex and Reagan go over the status of races both on the state and national levels, polling credibility, as well as some of the key talking points candidates on both sides of the isle are likely to be running on this year. 
 
 

Christina Stephenson is a candidate for Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor and Industries, in a runoff with former Rep. Cheri Helt | EP 72

Stephenson, who nearly won the election outright in the primary election, is a civil rights attorney and small business owner. She ran for the state legislature in 2020, narrowly coming up short. In this episode, we talk about workforce development, higher education, the famous LTBTQ+ rights case involving “Sweet Cakes”, and the politics of running statewide for a nonpartisan office. 
You can check out Christina's campaign here:
https://www.christinastephenson.com/
As well as our interview with Cheri Helt here:
https://youtu.be/t3f7KzkS70g
 

Ian Mair explains everything politicos need to know about crypto and blockchain tech EP | 71

If you've ever wondered why cryptocurrency matters, or why you should care about it, this episode is for you. We talk about the origins of crypto, the practical uses for blockchain technology, what crypto can be used for, environmental concerns about bitcoin mining, "crypto candidates" (including prominent Oregon candidates), and the future of crypto policy and regulation in U.S. politics (with some insight into how both the Democratic Party and Republican Party talk about the issue). 
 
Ian Mair is the Head of U.S. Policy for Blockchain.com. Previously, worked as Vice President at The Smith-Free Group, a lobbying firm, where he advised fintech and crypto clients on legislative and regulatory matters--and advocated on their behalf with decision makers. 
 
As a reminder, nothing in this episode should be considered financial advice! 
 
Links referenced in the interview:
The Wired story Ian referenced: Inside the Bitcoin Bust That Took Down the Web’s Biggest Child Abuse Site
The Texas Blockchain Council
CoinCenter.org, which describes itself as "the leading non-profit focused on the policy issues facing cryptocurrencies"

Prof. Michelle Wilde Anderson on challenges, opportunities, lessons, and misconceptions in Josephine County--and why it matters for Oregon and America | EP 70

Michelle Wilde Anderson is an award-winning Professor at Stanford Law School and an expert on poverty, inequality, and local government. Her new book The Fight to Save the Town (published by Simon and Schuster in June 2022) prominently features Josephine County as she describes signs of progress in places in America with high poverty and broke governments (the book also looks at Stockton, CA, Lawrence, MA, and Detroit, MI).
 
In this episode, Michelle provides a portrait of Josephine County and the people who live there--and what makes the place so interesting. We talk about the origin of poverty in southern Oregon, the caliber of people running for local office, and how communities provide "public safety" when the government fails to. Perhaps most importantly for our listeners, we talk about the lessons we can learn from Josephine County, a deeply conservative place with anti-government tendencies, where they finally passed a series of local levies after years of failed attempts. Michelle offers a more hopeful "counter-narrative" to what's happening in Josephine County than what you'll read in most papers. 
 
Here is a short blurb on The Fight to Save the Town: The book "focuses on the dismantling and rebuilding of local government in high-poverty communities. Rooted in narrative portraits of urban and rural poverty, the book describes the fallout from decades of cuts to local government amidst rising segregation by income and race." We can't recommend the book enough -- it is engaging, sobering, and uplifting all at once.
 
Michelle's Recommendations on Organizations to Support:
Riverstar Performing Arts
The Four Way Community Foundation
Illinois Valley Community Development Organization

”Emergency Pod” on the story behind a surprising gubernatorial endorsement! | EP 69

Last week, OR360 broke the news that former Rep. Mike Nearman, who was expelled from the legislature and pled guilty to official misconduct, endorsed Betsy Johnson for governor. Later, The Oregonian picked up the story and included a quote from Johnson rejecting the endorsement. 
 
In this unscheduled "emergency pod", we share the story of how it all happened -- and give an update on the state of the three-person governor's race. 
 
Here's a link to The Liftoff where we broke the news about Nearman's endorsement.
 
Here's a link to The Oregonian story on Johnson rejecting the endorsement.

The Oregon Bridge is excited to welcome a brand new co-host! | EP 68

The Oregon Bridge is excited to announce a new co-host of the podcast. It's a familiar face and a longtime friend of the pod. Listen in to find out whether it's Ben or Alex who is getting fired, and to hear about what the future of the podcast will look (and sound) like.
 
Thanks for all your continued support. Here's to another year of interesting conversations and a better Oregon. 

Can Michael Sipe keep a competitive legislative seat red? | EP 67

Michael Sipe is the Republican nominee for a new state house seat in central Oregon (House District 53), considered one of the most competitive in the state. He is running against Democratic nominee Emerson Levy, who we interviewed previously.
 
Take one look at Michael's website and you'll see he's an unusual candidate: a Cold War Army Ranger, black belt martial artist, podcast host, owner of a private equity advisory firm, and organizer of one of the largest Christian men's gatherings in Oregon (with Mike Huckabee as the special guest). 
 
In this episode, we talk about the major challenges facing Oregon (and central Oregon in particular): sky-high housing prices, water issues, and addiction. We also have a conversation about gun violence in which Michael, Alex, and Ben all disagree with each other on solutions--but also find some common ground. 
 
You can check out Michael's website (including his own podcast) at www.avoiceforcentraloregon.com.
 
Also mentioned in this episode: 
 
Article: Race to the bottom: How Central Oregon groundwater sells to the highest bidders from OPB
 
Ben's book recommendation: Stronghold: One Man's Quest to Save the World's Wild Salmon by Tucker Malarkey

Alex and Ben discuss the top 5 political stories you should be following | EP 66

Alex and Ben discuss the top 5 political stories that you should be aware of as election season starts to ramp up. We hit on everything from fundraising numbers and competitive congressional seats, to a new ballot initiative on guns and drama in the Portland sports scene. Look forward to more of these 1-1 interviews as we get close to the election! 

Can Portland end homelessness? | EP 65

Beth Sandor from Community Solutions (a national nonprofit working to end homelessness) and Lori Kelley from the Joint Office of Homelessness Services (a collaborative effort between Multnomah County and the City of Portland) join the podcast to discuss a new approach to addressing homelessness in the metro area. In this episode, we discuss what the "Built for Zero" program actually does (and where they've seen remarkable success), the controversy from a recent Willamette Week article (linked below), and some important information that politicos should understand about homelessness (e.g. how the "point in time" count works and why it's problematic). 
 
Links Referenced in the Episode:
 
Willamette Week Article: Could Portland End Homelessness With a By-Name Directory of People Living Outside? Officials Are Going to Try.
 
www.HomelessnessIsSolvable.com
 
Built for Zero from the Joint Office of Homelessness Services
 

Rep. Karin Power on legislator pay, the childcare crisis, & abortion access post-Roe v. Wade | EP 64

Rep. Karin Power was first elected to the legislature in 2016, representing House District 41 (Milwaukie and part of SE Portland). Power is known for her policy savvy and work ethic; in her second term, Willamette Week called her "the House member held in the highest and widest esteem." Alongside Rep. Rachel Prusak and Rep. Anna Williams, she announced she would not be running for re-election this cycle, citing the demands of the job and low legislative pay. In this episode, we talk about the political dynamics and policy complexities of legislator pay--and whether she's optimistic that things will change. We also cover several issues she's led on (get ready for a mind-blowing conversation about Oregon's childcare crisis).
 
We cover what the end of Roe v. Wade means in Oregon, how she ended up in Oregon from New Jersey, and an under-the-radar issue more Oregonians should be talking about. Power was recently announced as the new Executive Director of Business for a Better Portland. She moved to Oregon from the east coast and graduated from Lewis and Clark Law School. We hope you enjoy the conversation!
 
Representative Karin Power Facebook Page
A Plan for a Balanced Economic Recovery (The Business Oregon report Rep. Power cites)
The @NJGov Twitter (Official Account of New Jersey)
Ben's favorite band Bleachers' song "Chinatown" with Bruce Springsteen

Can Emerson Levy flip another central Oregon seat blue? EP 63

Emerson Levy is the Democratic nominee for the new House District 53 (Bend and Redmond) in Central Oregon. Levy ran for the seat in 2020 against now-Rep. Jack Zika, losing by about 14 points. In 2020, the district was R+6, but after redistricting, it's D+4--and Zika isn't running for re-election (Republicans nominated Michael Sipe). This could be one of the closest legislative races in the state. Levy is an attorney, mom, and community leader in Bend. She is active with the Deschutes County Democratic Party, serving as Vice Chair, and has volunteered on the Oregon Task Force for School Safety. She has experience working in complex clean energy deals. In this episode, we talk about her views on school safety (and potential gun laws), the politics of central Oregon and how they differ from the metro area, the sky-high cost of housing, and how Oregon can lead the country on clean energy. To learn more about Emerson, visit her website: www.EmersonVotes.com

Acclaimed journalist Les Zaitz on revitalizing local news, rebuilding trust, and some eastern Oregon drama! | EP 62

Les Zaitz is a well-respected figure in the Oregon journalism world (and beyond, as we discuss), having spent decades working in the industry both as a reporter and, more recently, as a media entrepreneur. He is retiring from his post as the founding editor of the Oregon Capital Chronicle and will continue to lead two local publications, the Malheur Enterprise and the Salem Reporter. This was a fun episode--Les is funny, knowledgeable, and direct. We cover many aspects of journalism (local vs. national news, business models, the rise of "creators", whether the state should fund news, etc.), as well as the recent controversies involving the Enterprise and Rep. Greg Smith and some new ideas on closing the urban/rural divide.
 
Here is his bio, courtesy of the Chronicle: 
 
"Les Zaitz is a veteran editor and investigative reporter, serving Oregon for more than 45 years. He reported for The Oregonian for 25 years and owns community newspapers and a digital news service. He is a national SPJ fellow, two-time Pulitzer finalist, including for a lengthy investigation of Mexican drug cartels in Oregon and five-time winner of Oregon’s top investigative reporting award. He has investigated corrupt state legislators, phony charities, and an international cult that moved to Oregon, and the biggest bank failure in Oregon history. He also has been active in reforming the state’s public records law and was appointed by the governor to the Oregon Public Records Advisory Council. In his spare time, he operates a ranch nestled in a national forest, feeding horses and assorted animals."
 
You can support Les' work at the Enterprise, the Reporter, and the (free!) Chronicle. 

Brad Phelps wants to build a space for Oregon to share ideas | EP 61

Oregon360 Media, the parent company for The Oregon Bridge podcast, also puts out a weekly newsletter (The Liftoff) and a weekly collection of opinion pieces (The Oregon Way)--both available on our Substack.
 
Brad Phelps, an Oregon native who recently graduated from Princeton, will be editing The Oregon Way this summer -- and he's got ideas to improve the way civic leaders share their ideas. Brad grew up outside Lyons, Oregon. In this episode, Brad talks about losing his childhood home during the Beachie Creek Fire as well as his ideas for revamping The Oregon Way. 
 
Thank you for listening, and if you haven't yet, make sure you subscribe to the newsletters and our YouTube page to stay up to date!

Oregonian reporter Mike Rogoway on inflation, recessions, and what you should know about Oregon’s economy

Mike Rogoway is an award-winning journalist who has covered business and technology for the Oregonian since 2004. Rogoway is among the most senior reporters at The Oregonian and has broken major national stories during his time at The O; he is well-sourced with a deep knowledge of Oregon's economy and business environment. 
 
In this episode, we ask Mike about the most pressing issues that our audience (of politically engaged listeners) should know about. We talk about the big trends in Oregon's business community, which industries are thriving and which are declining, and why Oregon's publicly-traded companies have suffered worse than the broader stock market. We talk about inflation, whether a recession is on the horizon--and whether Portland and Oregon can be resilient or not. Finally, we cover some specific sectors--agriculture and technology--and why they matter so much for the state's future.

Brian Clem is not done with politics yet! | EP 59

Brian Clem is a well-known figure in Oregon politics. He was first elected to the state legislature in 2006 and served for twelve years before retiring late last year. Clem was one of the leading moderate Democrats in the state house, known for his candor and willingness to buck his own leadership (e.g. he is one of the only Democrats who didn’t vote for any of the major PERS reform bills in the last decade). In his retirement from the legislature, he helped launch a PAC called Oregonians Are Ready, which supported more moderate or business-friendly Democrats during the 2022 primary election with over $125,000 in spending. Clem actively considered running for Congress this cycle before declining to run (which we talk about in the episode).
 
As a legislator, Clem was a dealmaker and had several high-profile accomplishments, including a landmark bill to protect the Metolius River, expanding Oregon’s “farm to school” program, and crafting the “land use grand bargain” of 2014. In this episode, we talk about his legislative service, why he started his new PAC, and his advice to Democrats running in rural areas in this year’s tough political environment. We also cover how Clem’s rural background informed his political views–and his close relationship with the late Rep. Vic Gilliam (including the infamous story of every member of the House, Republican and Democrat, marching to Senate President Peter Courtney’s office in protest).

Everything you need to know about the 2022 primary | EP 58

This week, GOP political consultant Reagan Knopp returns to help us digest the results of the 2022 primary election. We talk about the highlights, surprises, winners, and losers from across the state--and why they matter for the general election. We start with a high-level discussion about the major takeaways and themes from the election.
Races include: Democratic and GOP primaries for Governor and Congress, the statewide BOLI race, Portland metro-area races, and legislative highlights. 

Cheri Helt on her vision for Labor Commissioner and how she would handle controversial issues | EP 57

Cheri Helt is a candidate for Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor and Industry (Labor Commissioner) and a former state representative from Bend. On May 17, she finished in second place in the primary, meaning she will move to the general election in November and face civil rights attorney Christina Stephenson. 
 
While this statewide position is nonpartisan, Cheri is a moderate Republican and business owner. Previously, she served on the Bend-La Pine School Board for nearly a decade. In this episode, we talk about her experience as a moderate Republican in the legislature (including a couple of difficult votes she took on the Student Success Act and vaccines). We also cover her vision for the role of Labor Commissioner (apprenticeships, workforce development, BOLI staffing, etc). We have an interesting exchange on the famous "Sweet Cakes by Melissa" decision on LGBTQ+ rights and religious freedom (which played out under Commissioners Brad Avakian and Val Hoyle, but may be resolved by the next Commissioner) where Helt describes how she would approach the decision.
 
You can learn more about Cheri Helt on her website: www.cherihelt.com

Reagan Knopp has everything you need to know on upcoming Republican primaries | EP 56

Political consultant and Oregon Catalyst editor Reagan Knopp joins the pod to discuss everything you need to know on the Republican side of the aisle heading into the 2022 primary election (don’t worry, we also cover some Democratic primaries).
The GOP has excellent pick up opportunities across the state and a strong slate of candidates in key races. But who will actually be on the ticket come November? Reagan provides analysis on key races for the GOP ranging from the races for governor, congress, and the legislature — including who’s up, who’s down, and why. Reagan, Alex, and Ben also discuss how they think the Supreme Court’s potential decision on Roe v. Wade will impact elections in Oregon (spoiler: they disagree).

Pollster John Horvick explores the challenges and opportunities for Democrats and Republicans in 2022 | EP 55

John Horvick is one of the top pollsters in the state of Oregon. If there's anyone with their finger on the pulse of public opinion in Oregon, it's John. He is a Senior Vice President for DHM Research (where he's worked for over a decade), a nonpartisan polling firm that works for government agencies, media companies, and nonprofits across the state. His personal Twitter account, @Horvick, is highly recommended for those interested in the intersection of Oregon politics and public opinion research. This episode is a must-listen for those engaged in the campaign world. In this episode, we talk about John's personal background and some of the basics of polling (e.g. what are some of the indicators to look for to determine if a poll is reliable?).
Then we then talk about how voters are feeling and what they're thinking about as we head into the 2022 election. We cover the nature of a three-person race for governor (Democrat vs. Republican vs. Betsy Johnson), how we should think about the largest bloc of voters in Oregon (non-affiliated voters or NAVs), and the challenges/opportunities for both parties in the current political landscape. It's a fascinating and revealing conversation that will help you think about the upcoming election.

Rep. Andrea Salinas on overcoming SuperPAC spending and passing progressive policy in Congress | EP 54

Rep. Andrea Salinas is a Democratic candidate for Oregon's new 6th Congressional District. She has served in the state legislature since being appointed to serve House District 38 in 2017. Previously, she worked as a legislative advocate for progressive causes. Earlier in her career, she worked as a congressional staffer for Sen. Harry Reid, Rep. Pete Stark, and Congresswoman Darlene Hooley.
 
Salinas is a top-tier candidate in one of the most competitive congressional primaries in the country. Of all the candidates, she has by far the most support among progressive groups and elected officials. In a normal election, she would be considered the frontrunner -- but, because of unprecedented SuperPAC spending, this is anything but a normal election. In this episode we talk about abortion access, health care policy, climate change, and foreign policy (including China and Ukraine/Russia). We also talk about the politics of the race: what it's like to be running against huge SuperPAC spending (including a PAC aligned with Speaker Nancy Pelosi) and how she believes she can win the race. 
 
You can connect with Rep. Salinas on Twitter, Facebook, or her website.

Metro President Lynn Peterson demystifies housing, transportation, and Portland-area politics | EP 53

Metro President Lynn Peterson has worked at just about every level of government, both as an elected and appointed leader. She's served as a Lake Oswego City Councilor, Clackamas County Commission chair, senior transportation policy advisor to Governor John Kitzhaber, and head of the Washington State Transportation Department (we ask her about the wild end of her tenure in WA, forced by the state senate). Now she serves as Council President of Metro, the one-of-a-kind regional government for the Portland area (which she explains in the episode).
 
In this episode, Peterson takes complicated policy issues (like housing, the urban growth boundary, homelessness, and transportation) and explains them in simple terms. She also underscores the scope of the challenges we face (spoiler: we are *way* short of the number of housing units we need in the region, and it might be worse than you think). We also talk about "People for Portland" and its impact on the political landscape in Portland, plus her advice for Mayor Ted Wheeler on how to immediately solve for Portland's dysfunctional form of government. 
 
Peterson is running for reelection. You can learn more about her on her website, Twitter, or Facebook.

Who is Carrick Flynn, the man who could be Oregon’s next congressman? | EP 52

No congressional candidate in Oregon is getting more attention this cycle than Carrick Flynn, a Democratic candidate in Oregon's new 6th Congressional District. At least three SuperPACs are supporting him with millions of dollars in independent expenditures--more than any other candidate in America. Most recently, the SuperPAC aligned to House Democratic leadership (e.g. Speaker Nancy Pelosi) has signaled its support, to the frustration of Flynn's primary opponents, who called the move "unprecedented". 
 
So--who, exactly, is Carrick Flynn?
 
Flynn grew up in Vernonia, Oregon in a working class family. His family was displaced by a major flood, making him homeless for a period of time. On a Ford Family Foundation scholarship, he attended the University of Oregon and then Yale Law School. Since then, he has worked in artificial intelligence, biotechnology, and pandemic prevention across the world. Now he's running for Congress. In this episode, we cover his ties to the 6th CD, China, drug policy, SuperPACs (and why he thinks they're supporting him), whether he's an outsider, and what kind of congressman he hopes to be. You can learn more about Flynn on his website, Twitter, or Facebook. 
 
Thank you for listening and supporting the podcast! If you haven't yet, please subscribe to our YouTube channel and our newsletter.

Matt West thinks Oregon is ready to send a scientist and crypto expert to Congress | EP 51

Matt West is a Democratic candidate for Oregon's new 6th Congressional District -- and he has an unconventional background for a candidate. He is a scientist who earned his Ph.D. from the University of Texas specializing in fuel cell technology. He now he works for Intel as an engineer. His bio says he is "the first congressional candidate with cryptocurrency development experience in decentralized finance." In this episode, Matt explains why he believes crypto can be a tool for progressive values, his ideas for addressing climate change and improving America's healthcare system, and how he would determine whether to vote for congressional approval for U.S. intervention in Ukraine. Matt's website is www.MattWestForCongress.com and his Twitter handle is @MattDWest.

Special Episode: Nick Kristof on running for governor and the war in Ukraine | EP 50

Nick Kristof is a world-renowned journalist, author, and humanitarian. A two-time Pulitzer Prize winner, he is also a cider orchardist living in Yamhill, Oregon. He briefly ran for governor of Oregon until being ruled ineligible in February 2022. We start the episode with a campaign debrief: Was the experience positive or negative? Will he consider running for office again? Who will he vote for in the Democratic primary?
Then, we focus on the war in Ukraine. This episode is designed to explain the conflict (and why it matters) for lay people without a deep background in foreign policy (like us). In addition to decades of experience in reporting on war, humanitarian crises, and other international conflicts, Nick has family ties to the region (which we discuss). We cover no-fly zones, chemical weapon "red lines", the function of journalism in conflict, the opportunities and dangers of social media during wartime, cyber attacks, and the role of the United States in the emerging geopolitical re-ordering.
For more on Nick, you can follow him on Substack, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
 
Here are Nick's recommendations for staying in the loop on the war in Ukraine: The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Kyiv Independent, and photojournalist Lynsey Addario on Instagram and Twitter.
 
Thank you for listening, and please subscribe to The Oregon Bridge on YouTube and on our Substack channel!

Jeff Gudman on how to improve state government challenges | EP 49

Jeff Gudman is a former Lake Oswego City Councilor who was twice the GOP nominee for State Treasurer. He learned his MBA in Finance and Management from the Wharton School of Business and has worked as a financial analyst, treasurer, and investor for several decades. He is also a former All-American swimmer! In this episode we cover PERS (an issue Gudman has studied deeply) and why he believes it matters, what it's like for a moderate Republican to be on the ballot with Donald Trump, whether or not the state should divest from certain investments (Russia, fossil fuel companies, China, etc.), and how Oregon should prevent future state government breakdowns like the ones seen recently with unemployment checks, distributing renter and landlord assistance, and the delay in the new family leave program.

Marshall Kosloff on Ukraine and how young people should approach politics in an age of dysfunction | EP 48

Marshall Kosloff (@makosloff on Twitter) is host of The Realignment podcast (almost 1.5 million channel views on YouTube alone) which focuses on shifting thinking in American politics, technology, economics, and national security. He is also an Executive Producer at the tech company On Deck. Marshall, Ben, and Alex all attended the University of Oregon together and have been friends since college. 
 
While Marshall and Ben are not foreign policy experts, they are both deeply interested in international affairs. In this crossover episode (also posted on The Realignment), they discuss why Russia's invasion of Ukraine matters and its implications for the future of U.S. foreign policy. Marshall offers his view of what it means for America to be an "arsenal for democracy" in the 21st century and Ben talks about the Democratic Party's evolution on foreign policy since the George W. Bush era in the 2000s. They discuss the emerging broad international consensus acting against Russia and whether that coalition could remain intact in an analogous China/Taiwan situation. They close with a conversation about cynicism, whether American politics is broken, and what young people interested in public service should do in an age of political dysfunction.

Beaverton Mayor Lacey Beaty on leadership lessons from military service and how cities solve problems | EP 47

Lacey Beaty is the mayor of Beaverton, one of the largest cities in Oregon. In this episode, we talk about her experience as a combat medic in the U.S. Army during the Iraq War and the challenges that veterans face when they return home. We also touch on U.S. foreign policy, the value of compulsory national service, and the sustainability challenges of an all-volunteer military. We also talk about what can be done about affordable housing--including an idea she has modeled after an existing home ownership program for veterans. Finally, we touch on the convening power of mayors and the role of cities in solving complex project. We end with an explanation of what happened in the Twitter controversy that ended with the Executive Director of the League of Oregon Cities losing his job.

Will Tobias Read be Oregon’s Next Governor? | EP 46

Treasurer Tobias Read returns to the Bridge, this time as a candidate for Governor. With Nick Kristof officially out of the running, Read and Speaker Tina Kotek are the two frontrunners to be the Democratic nominee. Read is a seasoned veteran in Oregon politics and on this episode he discloses some of the ideas he has for Oregon's future. We talk about Oregon’s homelessness crisis, conservation and natural resource controversies, campaign finance reform, and the governor’s role is addressing the challenges facing Portland. We also may have made a little history with what may be one of the first questions about cryptocurrency in an Oregon gubernatorial campaign.

Tigard Mayor Jason Snider on pragmatism and leadership | EP 45

Tigard Mayor Jason Snider is one of highest ranking independent elected officials in Oregon (he's never been a member of a political party) as mayor of one of largest cities. He is a fascinating (and funny) person with a deep knowledge of policy issues impacting local jurisdictions. He serves as Chair of the Metropolitan Mayors Consortium (which represents nearly all the Portland metro cities) and is on the board of the Oregon Mayors Association.
In this episode we talk about how and why the local response to COVID-19 has varied across Oregon, what cities can do to address the housing affordability crisis and homelessness, and the extent to which Oregonians are really divided. Stick around for the end of the podcast when he describes what mayors want from their next governor--and some of the biggest (and unsung) challenges of Oregon state government.

Mingus Mapps has ideas for the crises facing Portland | EP 44

Mingus Mapps is a Portland City Commissioner. He leads the Water Bureau, the Bureau of Environmental Services, and the Bureau of Emergency Communications (9-1-1). He is also an academic scholar who teachers courses on government. Mapps defeated incumbent Commissioner Chloe Eudaly and former mayor Sam Adams in the 2020 election. He is a unique figure in Portland politics; as you'll hear in the interview, he is whip smart and pragmatic--and he doesn't hesitate to levy critiques (including Portland's "ineffective" form of government). In this episode, we cover Portland's homelessness crisis, the challenge of addressing addiction issues, his mentors (former Multnomah County Commission Chairs Gladys McCoy and Bev Stein), and his call for Portlanders to jump into the fray and get involved in city affairs.

Reagan Knopp returns to deconstruct the Oregon governor’s race | EP 43

Republican operative and political consultant Reagan Knopp returns to the Bridge to deconstruct the Oregon Governor's race. With candidates including: Bridget Barton, Christine Drazan, John Fosdick III, Jessica Gomez, Nick Hess, Jim Huggins, Kerry McQuisten, Brandon Merritt, Bud Pierce, Stan Pulliam, Amber Richardson, Marc Thielman, Wilson Bright, Peter Hall, Tina Kotek, Tobias Read, Patrick Starnes, Michael Trimble, and Betsey Johnson, voters currently await a decision from Dallas Heard and news from the supreme court about Nicholas Kristof.

Angela Wilhelms with Oregon Business & Industry talks manufacturing in Oregon | EP 42

Born and raised in Klamath Falls, Angela Wilhelms has had a long and diverse career in Oregon politics. After steering away from a projected career in corporate finance and life in the Bay Area, Wilhelms worked on the communications team in D.C for Congressman Greg Walden. She then returned to her home state and served a seven year stint as Chief of Staff for former minority leader and Co-Speaker of the House Bruce Hanna. She then spent time practicing law in Portland and working at the University of Oregon as the first secretary of the board of trustees, before taking her current position with Oregon Business Industry (OBI). With approximately 1,600 members, of which 83 percent represent small businesses, OBI's members are responsible for the employment of over 250,000 people across Oregon. Angela refers to manufacturing as "the unsung hero" of Oregon's economy. In this episode we talk politics, economics, policy, and the future of Oregon--including some innovative ideas for how to build common understanding across the state.

Why is national Politico reporter Natalie Fertig so interested in Oregon? | EP 41

Natalie Fertig is the National Cannabis Policy Reporter for Politico. Fertig, who grew up in Washington State and attended Portland State Universiy, wrote a riveting, terrifying article title "‘Talk About Clusterf---’: Why Legal Weed Didn’t Kill Oregon’s Black Market" that exposes a serious problem in Southern Oregon: cartel-control marijuana grows and a law enforcement/regulatory infrastructure not equipped to respond. When Fertig visited, she heard gun shots (that were likely warning her and her guide to stay away) and gathered stories from residents who have been victims of intimidation. In this episode, we talk about the arch of marijuana policy in Oregon and how the federal landscape and political environment has changed since Oregon's legalization in 2014. We talk about the economics of illegal marijuana grows and the tools that law enforcement and state regulators do and do not have to fight back against the cartels.

Meet Oregon’s newest legislator, Sen. Rachel Armitage | EP 40

Rachel Armitage has officially been selected to finish the term of former State Senator Betsy Johnson, representing rural northwest Oregon. A Democrat, Armitage has deep experience in politics, including working as a legislative assistant for Rep. Susan McLain and former Rep. Carla Piluso. She also worked at the national level on the campaigns of Montana Senator Jon Tester and former North Carolina Senator Kay Hagan. Gowland grew up in Medford, and in this episode we talk about the past and future of the timber industry and whether Democrats can win in rural districts in 2022. We do a deep dive on the appointment process to fill legislative vacancies, including the peculiarities of this specific vacancy (Armitage was actually supporting one of her opponents). Finally, we talk about the perspective Armitage will bring as a millenial legislator and how to bridge generational divides in Oregon politics.

Sarah Iannarone has thoughts on the future of Portland | EP 39

Sarah Iannarone grew up in a union family in upstate New York. Rather than going to college out of high school, Sarah pursued a trade and worked as a chef in great food cities around the U.S.. Not long after moving from New Orleans to Portland in 1998, Sarah opened a small restaurant to connect the people in her working-class neighborhood with high quality food from local farmers at a fair price. It was even featured on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. Sadly, it is now shuttered due to the COVID crisis. After working without pay as a stay-at-home mom for several years, Sarah decided to enroll at Portland State University where she focused on planning sustainable cities. That's how she ended up spending the last decade helping urban leaders from around the world improve their places via the First Stop Portland program, best practices trips, and other educational endeavors, including lecturing to students here at home and to audiences around the world including in South Korea, China, Brazil and Canada. She resides in Mt. Scott-Arleta neighborhood, where 82nd Avenue meets Foster road, and can be spotted scooting around town on her e-bike, picking up groceries on her Xtracycle, running to catch the #10 & 14 buses, or enjoying the Douglas Firs in Mt. Scott Park park with her dog, Bacon.