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Schrader, Callahan seek unaffiliated voters in 5th District race

The district's political split is unusual as measured by voter registration in August — 37 percent are Democrat, 33 percent Republican and nearly 32 percent who aren't affiliated with any party.
Credit: Rollins, Michael

Incumbent U.S. Rep. Kurt Schrader and Republican challenger Mark Callahan have to appeal to a large swath of nonpartisan voters to win election in Oregon's 5th Congressional District.

The district's political split is unusual as measured by voter registration in August — 37 percent are Democrat, 33 percent Republican and nearly 32 percent who aren't affiliated with any party.

Schrader, considered a moderate Democrat, said he "matches the district." He said he's succeeded in passing bipartisan legislature, and wants to focus on issues like immigration, infrastructure, healthcare and education.

Callahan, an IT contractor, said his main goal is to have an "open-door policy" and represent what matters most to the region's constituents, focusing on veteran's health, immigration policy and tax reform.

But he'll have to fight to win over enough undecided voters to unseat the five-term incumbent in the Nov. 6 general election.

Also in the race are Dan Souza from the Libertarian Party and Marvin Sandnes representing the Pacific Green Party.

KGW Voter's Guide: A look at several key Oregon races and measures

Schrader defeated his opponent Peter Wright in the Democratic primary on May 15 with more than 85 percent of the votes, and has nearly $2.3 million on hand for his campaign.

Callahan beat two opponents in the Republican primary and has cashed in just over $8,000 for his campaign.

The district lies in the northwestern part of the state and includes Lincoln, Marion, Polk and Tillamook counties. The district also covers portions of Benton, Clackamas and Multnomah counties.

Schrader: I'm bipartisan, not ideological

Schrader, 66, said he's confident in the likelihood of beating his opponent in November.

"I've got good reception from all parts of the district," he said.

Schrader's career in public service began later in life, after spending about 30 years working in the private sector as a veterinarian, farmer and small-business owner.

He was elected as a state representative in 1997, state senator in 2003 and now has his sights set on a sixth term in Congress.

Schrader has won the past five U.S. House of Representative elections from the 5th District, starting in 2008, with more than 50 percent of the vote in each election.

The Canby native considers himself a moderate Democrat, who "matches the district really well."

Schrader said he looks for "bipartisan" solutions, "accepted by both progressives and conservatives" for issues such as immigration and health care.

His involvement in public service goes back to an "abiding" interest in history.

After getting a degree in government from Cornell, he pursued a veterinary medicine degree from the University of Illinois. He returned to his interest in politics when he joined the planning commission in Canby in 1981.

Schrader currently serves as a member of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce; he served on the House Committee on Agriculture, where he was involved in the Farm Bill Conference Committee that passed a five-year farm bill, the House Committee on Small Business and House Budget Committee.

Schrader is co-chair Affordable and Accessible Healthcare Task Force and a member of the No Labels Problem Solvers Caucus.

Schrader said he's succeeded in passing and supporting bipartisan legislature, adding he will keep fighting for issues like immigration, infrastructure, healthcare and education.

He consider veteran's health care issues the "mark of (his) work" in congress.

In his tenure, Schrader said he's worked to ensure veteran's health care is funded. He said he's pushed the VA to extend the GI Bill; supported the Veterans Choice Act, allowing veterans to get care from home; and prevented the hiring freeze, making it difficult for veterans to get a job after serving.

"My philosophy is that men and women have stepped up to serve and it's important to take care of them," he said.

He believes in "shared prosperity," in Oregon, helping rural parts of the state do as well and cities like Portland. Schrader has supported legislation to increase jobs in agriculture, fishing and forestry for workers in rural Oregon.

Schrader has sponsored and passed legislation to increase funding in special education, and enable career and technical education, giving students who cannot go to college an opportunity to get job.

Specifically, he's sponsored legislation that allows student to refinance college debts and supported increase in Federal Pell Grants funding.

Schrader said he voted against repealing the Affordable Care Act and "fought against increases" to prescription drug prices, instead, passing legislation to reduce prescription drug costs.

Callahan: I'm not your typical Republican

Republican candidate Mark Callahan, 41, said he's bringing "fresh blood" to Congress.

Callahan defeated Joey Nations and Robert Reynolds in the Republican primary with more than 60 percent of the vote, and is set to take on his democratic opponent in November.

The Oregon City native has an IT background, working at a Portland-based company before becoming interested in politics.

He said he went into public service for his daughters, Sarah and Heather. "I love this country," he said. "I got tired of sitting on the couch, watching TV and complaining. I had to do something about it."

His background shows he's "a problem-solver," he said. "I’m a trouble shooter who will help to solve problem in DC."

Callahan calls himself a fiscally responsible conservative who's main goal is to have an "open-door policy" and represent his constituents. "I’m not your typical Republican."

"(Schrader) doesn’t represent everyone," Callahan said, referring to his opponent as a "bot" politician. "I'm a constituent of Kurt Schrader, and I don’t feel I am represented by him."

Callahan previously ran for public office, including Lane County commissioner, the Oregon House, Eugene School District school board and Mt. Hood Community College board of directors, but has never been elected.

Callahan said his previous losses show his staying power.

"I'm not the type to give up," he said. "Our country is way too important. Yes, I've lost before, but I've improved in every race I've run."

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Callahan said he's feeling confident about his chances and is ready to remove Schrader from office.

"I've been getting donations, taking to folks, and people are latching on to the fact that I'm willing to represent them," he said.

With both his parents and his wife serving in the military, Callahan said military service is "in his blood." He advocates for what he calls a simpler process, allowing veterans to choose their health care provider and have the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs pay the bill.

"They've served us, now it's time for us to serve them," he said.

Callahan, who is on the board of Oregonians for Immigration Reform, said he will be voting "yes" to Measure 105, which repeals Oregon's sanctuary state law that limits the cooperation of local law enforcement with federal immigration enforcement.

"I'm not an advocate of separating families," he said. "But they need to be here legally."

Callahan proposes giving those he refers to as "illegal aliens" six months to start the citizenship process, without the risk of facing deportation.

"I don’t agree with amnesty," he said. "If they broke the law originally, they should do things the right way. People need to take accountability."

Callahan said he backs President Trump's decision to sign on the tax reform and tax cuts acts early this year. He also supports additional reforms towards a flat income tax system.

Kurt Schrader

Party: Democrat.

Age: 66.

Home: Canby.

Family: Wife, Susan, eight children.

Education: Bachelor's from Cornell University in 1973; bachelor's degree from University of Illinois 1975, doctor of veterinary medicine in 1977 from University of Illinois.

Work: Veterinarian, small businessman, farmer.

Public service: 5th District seat since 2009; Oregon Senate, 2003-09; Oregon House, 1997-2003; Canby Planning Commission, 1981-96.

Campaign cash on hand: $2,291,973.62 as of June 31

Campaign contact: (503) 723-6174 or campaign@kurtschrader.com

Mark Callahan

Party: Republican.

Age: 41.

Home: Oregon City.

Family: Wife, Nicole, two daughters.

Education: Bachelor’s in business administration from Oregon State in 2000.

Work: IT contractor. Previously worked in IT for Symantec, Marriott and Ritz-Carlton.

Public service: None.

Campaign cash on hand: $8,356.81 as of June 31.

Campaign contact: Mark@CallahanForOregon.com

Dan Souza

Party: Libertarian.

Age: 33.

Home: Lincoln City.

Education: High School Diploma from Mountain Ridge High School.

Public service: None.

Campaign cash on hand: N/A.

Campaign contact: @free_statesman

Marvin Sandnes

Party: Pacific Green Party.

Age: 73.

Home: Salem.

Family: Wife, Annette and four children, four grandchildren.

Education: Bachelor's degree in Social Sciences from Portland State University,

Work: Small business owner.

Public service: None.

Campaign cash on hand: N/A.

Campaign contact: https://marvinsandnes.org/

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