➡ SUSHEELA JAYAPAL:

We’re at a pivotal moment - in this district, in Oregon, and in the country. We’ve emerged from the pandemic with extremist Republicans attacking our democracy in ways we’ve never seen before; with rights we’ve taken for granted for decades being rolled back; and with the progress we have made in recent years - on climate change, on healthcare access, on rebuilding our infrastructure - threatened by MAGA ideologues. And we’re also facing immense challenges on the ground locally, with homelessness and behavioral health issues.

It’s more important than ever that we have a strong voice in Congress - someone who is going to stand up for this district’s values and fight for our community. Someone with a proven record of accomplishments, passion for service, and the ability to get things done.

I was born in India, and came to the US to go to college when I was 16. My parents didn’t have a lot of money. But they scraped together what they had to send me here because they believed in the American dream, and because, more than anything, they valued a good education. It was a huge sacrifice. Not only did they use up what little savings they had, but it meant that they are now growing old without us, in India. Their sacrifice, and the desire to pay it forward, drives me. Because of their sacrifice, I’ve gone to college and law school. I’ve had a career that has spanned the private sector, nonprofits, and elected office.

As an immigrant, a woman of color, a mom - I bring perspectives from communities in this district that are underrepresented in Congress. My roots in this district run deep: I’ve lived here for 30 years and raised two kids who graduated from Grant HS. In that time, I’ve built relationships and trust with community leaders, families, and fellow advocates who represent the diversity of this district –– the most diverse district in Oregon. I’ve been a lawyer, a community leader and volunteer, and most recently, a Multnomah County Commissioner, where I’ve been honored for the last five years during one of the most difficult times in recent memory. It’s that work that has me running for Congress, because it’s clear that in order for Oregonians to thrive, we need strong leadership at the federal level. I bring a unique combination of personal, professional, and civic experience, deep district ties, and passionate commitment to its progressive values, all of which make me the best choice for Congress.

I've received recognition for supporting survivors of domestic violence and sex trafficking, strengthened support for immigrant and refugee communities, and secured federal funding for innovative community-led crime prevention initiatives. In Congress, I'll continue fighting for our community, working to stop Republican attacks on our healthcare and reproductive freedom, delivering investments to address our housing and homelessness crises, and prioritizing a healthy future and environment for every family.

➡ MAXINE DEXTER:

I'm running for Congress because I am dedicated to caring for my community and paying forward the opportunity I had as a working class kid to achieve my dreams in life in a way that is no longer accessible to most people. I am a proven-effective lawmaker who has established myself as someone who listens, leads and gets hard things done. I can make the biggest impact for my community as a policymaker. And, right now, people need help.

As a physician, I have cared for the people of Oregon’s third congressional district as a pulmonary and critical care doctor for over 15 years, through some of the most challenging times in healthcare in our history. I have seen how the things I cannot fix, housing and food insecurity, inflation and out of pocket healthcare costs are the problems people struggle with more than the health issues I can fix.

As a physician and lawmaker, I know how to listen to understand the issues that need to be addressed, find the root cause, and create solutions with impacted people at the table. That’s what I'll do in Washington D.C.: listen, lead, and get things done for the people of Oregon.

I took my experiences as a physician to the state House where I led the charge to make healthcare more affordable, expand abortion rights, combat homelessness and the addiction crisis, and protect our environment. I have successfully led with compassion, courage and commitment – addressing tough, diverse crises in housing, homelessness, opioid addiction and healthcare.

Despite serving in a highly politicized and partisan governmental body, I was successful in leading bipartisan passage of large-scale, progressive legislation. From securing historic housing investments to improving public safety, expanding abortion rights, protecting the environment, increasing addiction treatment, and closing firearm law loopholes.

I know the impact I can have as a lawmaker and in Congress, I’ll lead the fight to:

Address our homelessness and addiction crises: - Build more shelters and housing and increase federal support for addiction and mental health services. - Ensure healthy communities: Champion universal, affordable high-quality healthcare that includes full reproductive healthcare including abortion, IVF and birth control, fight climate change with carbon taxation and dividends to Americans to offset costs and protect our environment by robustly adopting a Green New Deal. - Rebuild a fair economy with opportunity for all: Fight for high-quality public schools that includes two years of free community college (a K-14 system), universal childcare, strong unions and family-wage union jobs, and a lower cost of living.

➡ MICHAEL JONAS:

I am running for Congress to champion progressive reforms that are critically needed in our community and across the nation. I am tired and fed up with the long list of problems that seem to be kicked down the road for another day or another generation. I’m also tired of what I call “surface level progressivism.” We need to dig deeper and not just talk. We need to look at and fix systems and processes that are outdated, inefficient, and often harmful to those who have been historically marginalized.

In a time of congressional dysfunction, like Bernie, I still believe in the politics of what is possible. And, I believe the representative democracy should be just that, representative. "When we stand together, when we share the vision that government should work for all of us, there is nothing we cannot accomplish." -Bernie Sanders

I didn’t see the type of business law firm I thought should exist and so I built one from scratch. I’m the Founder, and Principal Attorney of Rational Unicorn Legal Services, a certified benefit company that practices “Community Business Law for Everyone in the Community.”

During, before, and after the pandemic for roughly 7 years, I have helped local businesses and nonprofits form, restructure, close, sell, grow, (and insert any other word you can think of here). In addition to offering pay-as-you-go legal services that are affordable, we have continuously

provided educational programming both by means of our own Seminar Series “The More You Glow” and by speaking to numerous organizations about the legal issues they have questions about.

During the pandemic, I was working 60-70 hours a week on the ground helping all kinds of businesses close, restructure, and interpret the commercial lease moratorium, recovery loans, and ever changing health mandates. I hopped on numerous community calls at no cost. After George Floyd’s death and the riots that ensued, I made sure (often pro bono) that mutual aid organizations had what they need to be protected on the ground (ie. providing liability waivers, advice on bylaws and structure, and counsel on nonprofit compliance and formation).

I’m a proven collaborator and problem solver. America has problems that need solving. This will require electing a congressman who can get inside the structure, be invited to the tables, and then tell those at the table that we are doing things differently this time.