By Jim Heffernan
I’m still thinking about how money has corrupted our political life. Maybe a closer examination of the details might provide something of an explanation for the mess we’re in.
I’ve recently found out about a wonderful thing called ORESTAR.*
I don’t know how it is in other states, but Oregon is strict about political campaigns reporting their contributions and expenditures. In addition, ORESTAR identifies out-of-state contributions.
` Best of all, the ORESTAR reports are easily converted to spreadsheets. The magic of spreadsheets reveals things about the candidates that kind of gets lost if you’re stuck just reading the listing published by ORESTAR.
Comparing the candidates is very revealing.
Suzanne Weber has received 57 contributions from out-of-state. 274 of her 752 contributions are for more than $1000. I think it’s a little strange that people like Koch Brothers, Kroger, Amazon, ATT, Eli Lily, and Anheuser-Busch take an interest in SD16 and willing to invest thousands in Suzanne. The Koch brothers donated $14,500 to Suzanne. I do not think the out-of-state contributions are aimed at benefitting those of us who live here. The total for Suzanne’s contributions is $933,233,72.
Melissa Busch has received 14 contributions from out-of-state. Except for a lone contribution from Northwest Carpenters, they all seem to be individuals. I’m pretty sure her out-of-state contributions mostly come from family and friends. Big business apparently does not see Melissa as a worthy investment. 40 of Melissa’s 445 contributions are for more than $1000. Melissa largest contribution comes from Oregon Nurses PAC who contributed $55,000. The total for Melissa’s contributions is $193,924.64.
The differences are a just as stark for HD16.
Cyrus Javadi has collected $202,230.96. 25 of his 195 contributions are from out-of-state. 57 of his 195 contributions are for more than $1000. The Koch brothers invested $8000. Kroger, Anheuser-Busch, Bristol-Meyers-Squibb, and Novartis also thought HD32 might be a worthy investment. Cyrus’ largest contributor was a PAC known a “Bring Balance to Salem”, which invested $55,000 in Cyrus.
“Bring Balance to Salem” might be better described as “Phil iKnght and his gang of rich buddies”. Phil contributed $2,000,000 to the PAC and 185 of his friends added another $680,000.
Logan Laity, has collected $43,615.68. Only 2 of his donations are from out-of-state and those 2 total $250. Logan’s largest contributor has been Electricians Union 48. The electricians contributed $10,000 to Logan. 5 of Logan’s 146 contributions have been for more than $1,000.
I’m not really sure why I worry so much about the money. No matter what the money situation was, I could never vote for a candidate that favor “forced pregnancy”.
Still, it makes me uneasy to see Republican candidates outspending Democratic candidates by a 5 to 1 margin, largely buoyed by out-of-state money. I would like to think that the north Oregon coast is not for sale.
I’m voting for Melissa and Logan and I hope you do too. They are exactly what we need in Salem — fresh young minds that are not influenced by out-of-state contributions.
Besides, I would so relish having November roll around and having the satisfaction of knowing the Koch brothers spent $22,500 on SD16 and HD32 for nothing.
My figures are based on ORESTAR listings of October 14, 2022.
As always, I’m always thinking and evolving. If you want to talk to me about my views, feel free to contact me at codger817@gmail.com.
*ORESTAR – https://secure.sos.state.or.us/orestar/CommitteeSearchFirstPage.do?startup=2
