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Democratic Candidates for Statewide Offices Announce Statewide Tour

Brown, Westlund, Kroger and Avakian will travel the state bringing a unified vision of change for Oregon

Portland, OR-- (August 25, 2008) - While most Oregonians are focused on the Presidential and U.S. Senate races, there are four other statewide races of importance to Oregon's future: Secretary of State, State Treasurer, Attorney General and Labor Commissioner.  The Democratic candidates for these seats will be traveling around the state to highlight these races as well as to energize voters in their local communities.  The "State of Change" tour will visit over 20 communities throughout Oregon between Labor Day and Election Day and will feature Kate Brown, candidate for Secretary of State, Ben Westlund, candidate for State Treasurer, John Kroger, candidate for Attorney General, and Oregon Labor Commissioner Brad Avakian.

"Our vote is our voice," said Brown. "This election is inspiring record numbers of new voters. I hope our tour will further encourage voter participation across Oregon, from the Presidential race down to local elections."

"Oregonians have many different interests, but we share common priorities," said Westlund.  "Working together, as one state, we can bring positive change to Oregon."

"I look forward to discussing our Democratic crime-fighting agenda with the voters all over the state." said Kroger.

"Oregon is a state of change and is a leader in deciding what direction our nation should take," said Avakian.

Details about the tour, dates,  and information about the candidates can be found at www.stateofchangetour.com.

WESTLUND ENDORSED BY PLANNED PARENTHOOD

Candidate for State Treasurer Focuses on Making Health Care More Affordable

(August 13, 2008) Portland, Ore. - Oregon Senator and Democratic and Independent nominee for State Treasurer Ben Westlund (D-Bend) was endorsed by Planned Parenthood PAC of Oregon, the political arm of the organization, this week.

"Ben Westlund has the right priorities to help make health care more affordable for Oregonians," said David Greenberg, chair of the Planned Parenthood PAC. "We trust him to be a State Treasurer who will continue to advocate on behalf of people who are having a hard time affording the health care they need to lead productive lives."

As an Oregon State Senator, Ben Westlund has worked to make health care more affordable and accessible for all Oregonians.  He supported legislation to require insurance companies to cover birth control.  He championed the Family Planning Expansion Program which allows low-income women to access contraceptive services to prevent unintended pregnancy.  He also supported legislation to extend coverage for regular mammogram checkups.  He was a sponsor of the Healthy Oregon Act, which allows Oregonians and businesses to pool their health care dollars to make health insurance more affordable.

"Having successfully fought cancer himself, Westlund knows the importance of prevention and early screening," said Greenberg.  "He understands that the services Planned Parenthood provides help people lead healthy lives."

WESTLUND CONTINUES LOCKING UP ENDORSEMENTS

Candidate for State Treasurer receives endorsement of Working Families Party

(August 12, 2008) Portland, Ore. - Oregon Senator and Democratic and Independent nominee for State Treasurer Ben Westlund (D-Bend) announced the endorsement of the Working Families Party Tuesday.

"Ben Westlund has provided strong leadership on the issues Oregon's working families care about," said Barbara Dudley of the Oregon Working Families Party. "We trust him to be a State Treasurer who will help families by working to lower health care costs, help families save for college and promote financial literacy to help Oregonians make wise choices for their future."

A former co-chair of Ways and Means, Westlund led the budget process through Oregon's most difficult recession in 2002 when revenues plummeted nearly 22%.  He gained extensive knowledge about Oregon's finances and the connection between services and savings.

As an Oregon State Senator, Ben Westlund is working to make health care more affordable and accessible for all Oregonians.  He championed the Healthy Oregon Act, which allows Oregonians and businesses to pool their health care dollars to make health insurance more affordable.

"Having successfully fought cancer himself, Westlund knows that it's time for real health care reform," said Dudley.  "He's one of our state's most effective champions for lowering costs, improving quality, and covering all children who don't already have insurance."

Independent Party Cross-Nominates Westlund for State Treasurer

Focus on Fair Elections, Campaign Finance, and Restoring the Initiative

SALEM, Ore. (August 11, 2008) ---  State Senator and Democratic nominee for Oregon State Treasurer Ben Westlund (D-Tumalo) has now also received the nomination of the Independent Party of Oregon in his race to be Oregon's next State Treasurer.  With more than 23,000 members, the Independent Party of Oregon is the third largest political party in the state and supports candidates  who fight for good government and for the rights of citizens.

"Ben Westlund has the right priorities to provide all Oregonians a voice in our political process," said Linda Williams. "He has a record of working for fairness, transparency, and access in elections.  For example, he was one of the few in the Oregon Senate to vote against HB 2614 (2005), a law that disqualifies most registered voters from signing nominating petitions for candidates not nominated by a political party.  As State Treasurer, he will be an independent leader we can trust to put the people before corporate interests."

Westlund Launches New Website on Legislative Accomplishments

Salem, OR --(August 7, 2008)-- On Thursday, Senator Ben Westlund (D-Bend) launched a new website dedicated to his legislative accomplishments and priorities.  WWW.SenatorWestlund.com <http://www.senatorwestlund.com/> focuses on the range of issues Westlund has focused on for the past decade, including health care, renewable energy and public safety.

The website includes a complete listing of legislative committees the Senator has served on and significant pieces of legislation he sponsored or supported.

"Senator Westlund has a record of results on issues Oregonians care about and his dedication to the people of this state is without question," said Stacey Dycus, Westlund's chief of staff.  "He has been responsive to the needs and concerns of the people of his district and has made great contributions on issues that benefit people statewide, like health care."

Ben has served Central Oregon as a legislator for the past ten years.  Before that he was a successful business owner and entrepreneur.  He currently consults for Northwest Professional Management to develop effective, affordable health care delivery systems.  He and his wife Libby, who serves on the Mount Bachelor National Ski Patrol, have two children: a son B.J. (20) and a daughter Taylor (15). They live in Tumalo, just outside Bend.

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Westlund Highlights Oregon Cultural Trust

BEND, Ore. (July 31, 2008) - Oregon Senator and Democratic nominee for State Treasurer Ben Westlund (D-Tumalo), one of the architects of the Oregon Cultural Trust, has launched a new web page on his campaign site (www.benwestlund.com) dedicated to its creation and accomplishments. The Oregon Cultural Trust is a unique public/private partnership designed to increase investment in Oregon's arts, humanities and heritage.

As a member of the 1999 Cultural Task Force, Westlund listened to the input of 20,000 Oregonians while laying the groundwork for the Trust. In the 2001 session, Ben Westlund brought together diverse and often competing interests and sponsored HB 2923, to create the Cultural Trust which now provides over $1 million a year for arts and culture in Oregon. The Oregonian heralded the Trust legislation as the “best accomplishment” of the 2001 Legislature.  Westlund currently sits on the Trust's Board and helps administer the grants.

"Throughout Oregon, the Cultural Trust has helped diversify our communities both culturally and economically,” said Westlund. “It has helped build and protect Oregon’s legacy for generations to come."

The Oregon Cultural Trust is funded by generous tax-deductible contributions from individuals and businesses that also make a matching contribution to one of over 1,000 qualifying non-profit arts and culture organizations. Additional funds for the Trust come from the sale of the Oregon "cultural" license plate. The State Treasurer manages the Trust’s funds.

Grants are distributed to local communities to support their cultural priorities, through a competitive process and through grants to Oregon's statewide cultural agencies to support their ongoing efforts.  On Friday, Governor Kulongoski will be announcing the 2009 Cultural Trust grants. 

The Trust has four goals:

> Increase public and private support for culture.
> Advance, preserve, or stabilize cultural resources.
> Build public participation across cultural disciplines.
> Increase understanding of the value of cultural development.

“Every day, Oregonians seek education, entertainment and a sense of identity from the thousands of cultural activities offered in their communities. I have watched Ben Westlund walk his talk by leading the fight to protect the arts in Oregon,” said Mike Lindberg, Former Chair of the Oregon Arts Commission.

If you would like to find out what the Oregon Cultural Trust is doing in your community, or to make a tax deductible donation, visit their website at www.culturaltrust.org

A retired successful business owner, Senator Ben Westlund now works with Northwest Professional Management to develop effective, affordable health care delivery systems.  He and his wife Libby, who serves on the Mount Bachelor National Ski Patrol, have two children: a son B.J. (20) and a daughter Taylor (15). They live in Tumalo, just outside Bend.

OSEA Endorses Westlund in Bid for State Treasurer

SALEM, Ore. (July 30, 2008) – Oregon Senator and Democratic nominee Ben Westlund (D-Bend) has received the support of the Oregon School Employees Association’s (OSEA) 21,000 members in his bid for Oregon State Treasurer.  The endorsement is among several Westlund has received from education groups including the Oregon Education Association and the American Federation of Teachers.  To date, over twenty organizations have endorsed Westlund.  A complete list can be found on his website at www.benwestlund.com.

“Senator Westlund has been on the front lines for education” said Ed Edwards of OSEA.  “His commitment to improving education and to the working men and women of Oregon has won our respect and our support.”

Westlund served as co-chair during some of Oregon’s most difficult financial times and protected the education budget in the face of drastic cuts. 

“Improving education is the key to Oregon’s future innovation economy and I strongly support the people who provide essential services to our students, the way OSEA does,” said Westlund.

A former successful business owner, Ben now works with Northwest Professional Management to develop effective, affordable health care delivery systems.  He and his wife Libby, who serves on the Mount Bachelor National Ski Patrol, have two children: a son B.J. (20) and a daughter Taylor (15). They live in Tumalo, just outside Bend.

Basic Rights Oregon Endorses Westlund for State Treasurer

Portland, Ore. (July 25, 2008) - Oregon Senator and Democratic nominee for State Treasurer Ben Westlund (D-Bend) has received the endorsement of Basic Rights Oregon PAC.  The endorsement is the latest in a long list of organizations lining up behind Westlund.

"Senator Westlund has been a strong and effective champion for equal rights and human dignity for all Oregonians," said Jeana Frazzini, Executive Director of Basic Rights Oregon.  "Oregonians can put their trust in Ben. He has the courage to stand up and do the right thing."

Westlund, who, in 2005, as a Republican, was a chief sponsor of Senate Bill 1000 to prevent discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and to create civil unions, has cited the issue as one of the deciding factors to change parties.

"I grew increasingly tired of the Republican leadership's intolerance to the rights of our fellow Oregonians," said Westlund.  "During my battle with cancer, it became clear to me that all families should be able to care for their loved ones in times of need. Not allowing them to do so denies their humanity."

Now a strong Democrat, Westlund has continued to support equal rights for GLBT Oregonians including his 2007 votes for SB2, preventing discrimination, and for HB2007, allowing domestic partnerships.

Basic Rights Oregon is a nonpartisan, statewide advocacy organization dedicated to ending discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity in Oregon.

Professionally, Ben works with Northwest Professional Management to develop effective, affordable health care delivery systems.  He and his wife Libby, who serves on the Mount Bachelor National Ski Patrol, have two children: a son B.J. (20) and a daughter Taylor (15). They live in Tumalo, just outside Bend.

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Building and Construction Trades Endorse Westlund for State Treasurer

Infrastructure Investment a Top Priority

SALEM, Ore. (July 23, 2008) – Oregon Senator and Democratic nominee for State Treasurer Ben Westlund (D-Bend) has received the support of the Oregon State Building and Construction Trades Council.  The Council is comprised of 31 separate organizations representing 30,000 Oregonians.

“Ben Westlund is the best choice for State Treasurer,” said Bob Shiprack of the Council.  “As a legislator, he offered common-sense solutions to some of our biggest challenges.  As State Treasurer, he will champion investment in our infrastructure to build our economy and create jobs.”

Westlund has said that the State Treasurer can do more to improve Oregon’s infrastructure.

“As a Senator, I supported legislation to retrofit public buildings to save energy and money and to invest in our transportation network to improve traffic flow and help our economy,” said Westlund.  “As State Treasurer, I will champion infrastructure projects that increase our productivity and make smart use of our resources including environmentally sound water-supply and conservation, transportation, and energy transmission and conservation efforts.”

Oregon State Police Officers Association Endorses Westlund for State Treasurer

SALEM, Ore. (July 21, 2008) – In a process that included an officer ride-along and that considered both candidates, Oregon Senator and Democratic nominee for State Treasurer Ben Westlund (D-Bend) has received the support of the Oregon State Police Officers’ Association (OSPOA).

"Ben Westlund has a strong record of supporting Oregon's public safety,” said Jeff Leighty, President of OSPOA. “He has demonstrated fiscal responsibility and the ability to find creative solutions that we want in our next State Treasurer."

Westlund has a history of supporting public safety officers.  In 1999, he sponsored legislation that created the Oregon Public Safety Memorial Fund. Funded by criminal court fees, it has distributed over $1 million dollars in aid to help 48 fallen and permanently injured public safety officers or their families.  The fund has been well-managed by State Treasurer Edwards, maintaining a positive balance for nearly a decade without the use of public tax dollars. 

“Our public safety officers are there for us when we need help and Oregon should be there in their time of crisis,” said Westlund.  “As Oregon’s next State Treasurer, my first priority will be continuing the wise management of Oregon's resources including the Oregon Public Safety Memorial Fund.  I will also push to make it possible for Oregonians to give online tax-deductible donations to support our fallen officers and their families."

The Oregon State Police Officers’ Association (OSPOA) is an independent labor association with approximately 600 members that consists of patrol troopers, detectives, fish & wildlife troopers, telecommunicators, forensic scientists, criminalists, latent print examiners, questioned document examiners, radio technicians, and trade maintenance workers.  Formed in 1984, its goals include promoting the professional interests of its members, fostering the highest standards of professionalism among its members, improving law enforcement methods, increasing the awareness of public safety issues, and advocating legislation that enhances public safety and law enforcement.