Shared Focus on helping Main Street and holding Wall Street accountable
October 9, 2008 -- (BEND, OR) - Oregon State Senator Ben Westlund (D-Bend) has received the endorsement of Congressman Peter DeFazio in his bid for State Treasurer. This endorsement is the latest in a string of respected Oregonians who are backing Westlund's candidacy.
"Ben has an independent outlook and the right priorities to help Oregonians through these tough economic times. He will fight for Main Street and help us reign in Wall Street," said DeFazio. DeFazio was first elected to the U.S. Congress in 1986. He is dean of the Oregon House delegation, and represents southwest Oregon from Albany in the north all the way to the California border, from the west coast to the Cascade Mountains.
Westlund has a strong record of protecting Oregonians from fraud and holding predatory lenders accountable. In 2007, he supported efforts to end predatory payday loans. Early in 2008, Westlund led the fight against fraudulent and abusive home lending practices to protect home buyers by identifying and policing irresponsible loan originators and revoking the registration of repeat offenders.
Westlund helped set strict standards for safeguarding personal information and required notification to consumers if there is a breach of security that may result in a disclosure of personal information. He helped get consumers the right to request a security freeze to provide protection against an identity thief obtaining credit in their name.
Westlund has also secured endorsements from Governor Ted Kulongoski, U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, Congresswoman Darlene Hooley, State Treasurer Randall Edwards, former Governor Barbara Roberts, and former Secretary of States Norma Paulus and Phil Keisling. A complete list of endorsements, including local community leaders, is on Westlund's website at www.benwestlund.com.
Ben currently works with Northwest Professional Management to develop effective, affordable health care delivery systems. Ben's wife, Libby, serves on the Mount Bachelor National Ski Patrol. They have two children: a son B.J. (20) and a daughter Taylor (15). They live in Tumalo, just outside Bend.
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