Statesman Journal mini-questionnaire for 2014 General Election

Thank you for responding to this questionnaire.

Why this matters: The Statesman Journal Editorial Board will use this questionnaire in deciding
whom to endorse for the Nov. 4 General Election. Your answers also will be shared with
reporters and probably will be published in the newspaper and/or on our website,
StatesmanJournal.com.
We also ask that you respond to every question, instead of simply attaching campaign materials,
resumes, etc. You are welcome to send us lists of supporters, a resume, etc., in addition to this
questionnaire.
If you completed our questionnaire for the 2014 Primary Election, you will notice that some
questions are similar. (This questionnaire is shorter and several questions have been changed.)
Please complete this questionnaire instead of simply referring to past answers.
Please return the finished questionnaire to the Editorial Board as an email or an attached Word
document to Salemed@StatesmanJournal.com. (Handwritten or fax responses dont work.)
Important; Please submit the questionnaire by the deadline listed in our email to you.
Questions? Contact Editorial Page Editor Dick Hughes, 503-399-6727, dhughes@StatesmanJournal.com, or
Editorial Assistant Nancy Harrington, 503-589-6944, nharring@StatesmanJournal.com.
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Your name as listed on the ballot:
Kurt Schrader
Age: 62
Birthdate is October 19th
(If your age will change before Nov. 30, please indicate your birthday. We want to ensure we use
accurate ages in pre- and post-election editorials and news coverage.)
City/town of residence:
Canby
Political party(ies), if this is a partisan office: Democrat
Position you are seeking (name of position, district number, etc.):
US House of Representatives, Oregon district 5
Are you currently a full-time resident of the district you seek you represent? Yes, except when in
Washington, DC on legislative business
Number of current, consecutive years living in the district you seek to represent: 35
Family (name of spouse/partner, number and ages of children if at home or number of grown
children): 5 grown children
Your education (high school, trade, college, post-baccalaureate; indicate degrees you earned):
Cornell University, BA; University of Illinois, BS, Doctor of Veterinary Medicine
If employed, current occupation, employer and job duties: United States Congressman
Previous employers and when: Veterinarian for 37 years and Farmer for 32 years.
Military service and when:
Volunteer/civic/religious service and when: Canby Chamber of Commerce, Clackamas
Childrens Center
Please list all public offices to which youve been elected, and when: State Representative, 1996-
2002; State Senate 2002-2008, US House of Representatives 2008-present
Please list any unsuccessful candidacies for public office, and when:
1994 State Representative
Other prior political and government experience: Canby Planning Commission, Blue Heron
Recreation District
How the public can reach your campaign (remember that this information will be made public):
Mail address: PO Box 3314, Oregon City, OR 97045
E-mail address: campaign@kurtschrader.com
Web site URL: www.kurtschrader.com
Phone:
503-723-6147
Please limit your response to each of the following questions to about 75 words.
1. To an outsider, how would you describe the region you wish to represent -- geographically,
economically, politically and socially? A microcosm of Oregon and the United States. Diverse in
all aspects. Made up of rural, urban, and suburban areas. Low, middle and high income residents,
with roughly equal numbers of Democrats, Republicans and Non-Affiliated voters.
2. What are the positives and negatives of this region (district, county or state) that you wish to
represent? CD 5 is filled with hard working, forward thinking Oregonians who care deeply about
their communities. We are home to some of the most fertile agriculture land in the world, and a
beautiful coastline.
Negatives? It is a tremendously diverse district, so oftentimes there are conflicting interests that
are heated, but generally Oregonians are level headed and find a way to reach compromise.
3. What specific skills and experiences do you bring to the position that would help turn those
negatives into positives? My background as a small business owner and veterinarian has taught
me to listen to the customer, in this case the citizens of the district. I try to be respectful of
differing points of view, working towards compromise over conflict.
5. What separates you from your opponent(s)? Be specific.
Im a proven leader who works every day to bring folks together to solve problems. My
opponent has been a divisive and bombastic figure who will only contribute to the ongoing
dysfunction in Congress.
6. Please list five specific accomplishments that you have achieved in politics or civic affairs:
1. I led the fight in Congress to bring the NOAA fleet to Newport.
2. I secured funding for the long needed upgrades at the Woodburn Interchange
3. I was on the conference committee for the 2014 Farm Bill, helping to bridge the divide
between liberals and conservatives to deliver needed help to Oregon agriculture.
4. I successfully guided Oregon through revenue shortfalls and a looming budget deficit as Ways
and Means co-chair for our State Legislature in the early 2000s.
5. During one of the least productive times in Congress, I was able to pass a bi-partisan bill that
became law. The Veterinary Mobility Act helps vets treat animals on farms and on house calls.
7. How much will your General Election campaign cost (be specific)? $1M, plus.
8. Have you ever been convicted of a crime, been disciplined by a professional licensing
board/organization or had an ethics violation filed against you? If so, please give the details.
No.
9. Have you ever filed for bankruptcy, been delinquent on your taxes or other major accounts, or
been sued personally or professionally? If so, please give the details. I have had late payments on
my personal property taxes.
10. What are the three most important issues you would address if elected, and how? (75 words
for each issue)
A. Jobs for Oregon. We need to come to a solution on our O&C timber lands to put our rural
communities back to work and protect our forests. We need renewed investment in
transportation and infrastructure to create jobs now and improve our economic
competitiveness.
B. Education. We need an investment to complement the Oregon 40/40/20 plan and we need to
keep Pell grants high, student loan rates low and allow students to refinance their loans
regardless of origin. We need to pick up the full federal share for special education, so our
state dollars can go further.
C. We need to pass comprehensive immigration reform. Our immigration system is broken for
businesses and families.
11. What do you see as other important issues?
We need to reduce our debt and deficits and get our economy moving again. By getting our
nation's fiscal health in order involving both spending reductions and revenues we can get the 2
trillion dollars off the sidelines, invested in our economy and create good jobs.
12. Any skeletons in your closet or other potentially embarrassing information that you should
disclose before it comes up in the campaign? Anything (including health issues) that would
affect your ability to serve your full term? Any changes in your life situation that are
contemplated or expected before the election or before you would take office? No.
Thank you. Please return this questionnaire to the Editorial Board as an attached Word document to
Salemed@StatesmanJournal.com by the requested deadline.