1 Statesman Journal mini-questionnaire

Statesman Journal mini-questionnaire for 2016 General Election

Thank you for responding to this questionnaire.
For those of you who filled out our Primary Election questionnaire this year, this one is similar although
some questions have changed. We ask that you fill this out completely, instead of referring to the
previous questionnaire, or your resume, etc., because we will be posting this questionnaire online.
Why this matters: The Statesman Journal Editorial Board will use this questionnaire in deciding
whether and whom to endorse for the Nov. 8 General Election. Reporters, who operate separately from
the Editorial Board, may use your answers in writing stories.
Please return the finished questionnaire to the Editorial Board as an email or an attached Word document
to Salemed@StatesmanJournal.com. (Handwritten, pdf, WordPerfect or fax responses dont work.)
Important: Please return the questionnaire by the end of the day Monday, Sept. 12.
Questions? Contact Editorial Page Editor Dick Hughes, 503-399-6727,
dhughes@StatesmanJournal.com, or Editorial Assistant Nancy Harrington, 503-399-6864,
nharring@StatesmanJournal.com.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Your name as listed on the ballot:
Age: 64; Birthdate: 10/19/1951
(If your age will change before Nov. 8, 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, OR
Political party, if this is a partisan office: Democrat
Position you are seeking (name of position, district number, etc.): United States House of
Representative, Oregon District 5
Are you currently a full-time resident within the boundaries of the specific area (district, county, etc.)
that you seek to represent? Yes
Number of current, consecutive years living within the district you seek to represent: 39

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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: self-employed Veterinarian and farmer for 33 years
Military service and when: n/a
Volunteer/civic/religious service and when: Canby Chamber of Commerce, Clackamas County
Childrens Center
Please list all public offices to which youve been elected, and when: State Representative 1996-2002,
State Senate 2002-2008, U.S. 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: P.O. Box 3314, Oregon City, OR 97045
E-mail address: campaign@kurtschrader.com
Web site URL: www.kurtschrader.com
Phone: 503-723-6147
Facebook and other social media: www.facebook.com/KurtSchraderOregon and
https://twitter.com/voteschrader

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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?
It is a microcosm of Oregon and the United States and is diverse in all aspects. The district is made up of
rural, urban, and suburban areas with low, middle and high-income residents. There are roughly equal
numbers of Democrats, Republicans and Non-Affiliated voters.
2. Describe the positives and negatives of this region (ward, district, county or state) that you wish to
represent:
Congressional District 5 is balanced and diverse. The country should take note. If more districts were
like mine we would have a better and more level discussion in Congress that would be much less
partisan and therefore much more productive.
3. What specific skills or experiences do you have that would make you effective in this office?
My experience as a veterinarian has made me a good listener and better able to explain some
complicated material in a way people understand and have confidence in. I spent 33 years in the private
sector and I know what it is like to meet a payroll. I also have practical experience as a citizen legislator.
These skills are valuable in congress.
4. What separates you from your opponent(s)? Be specific.
I have raised a family through good times and bad. I spent my life in the private sector building a
veterinary practice and farming enterprise from scratch. I came late to government service as a parttime citizen legislator before becoming one of the most effective bipartisan Congressmen for his district.
My opponent just got out of school and has only worked in politics, from his first job in DC to running
Oregons Right to Life chapter. I am qualified; he is not.
5. How much will your General Election campaign cost? Be specific.
Approximately $1 million
6. 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
7. 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.

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I have had late payments on my personal property taxes.
8. Is there anything (such as health issues, etc.) that would affect your ability to serve your full term?
Are any relevant changes in your life situation expected or contemplated before the election or before
you would take office?
No
9. What are the three most important issues you would address if elected, and how? (75 words for each
issue)
A. Ivaluesharedprosperity.My2014FarmBillandforestlegislationputruralOregonbacktowork.
Myofficehasrecoveredover$5millioninstalledSocialSecuritypayments,delayedIRSrefunds,
andimproperlydeniedVAbenefitsforOregonsseniorsandservicemenandwomen.Ialso
deliveredalongtermtransportationbillthatputsOregonianstoworknowandpavesthewayfor
futureprosperity.
B. Ibelieveinpersonalresponsibilityforonesactions.IworkedtoreplacetheNoChildLeftBehind
educationalmandatetomakestates,schooldistricts,andparentsresponsiblefortheirchildrens
educationagain.IalsosupportcomprehensiveimmigrationreformthatsupportsOregonsfamilies,
farmers,andbusinesses.
C. IbelieveinequalopportunityforallOregonians.Istartedtheproblemsolverscaucus,bringing
DemocratsandRepublicanstogethertobreakthroughpartisangridlock.Ipassedlegislationto
preventstudentloaninterestratesfromdoublingandhavecosponsoredlegislationallowingstudents
torefinancetheircollegedebt.IhavealsobeenaconsistentsupporterofrepealingCitizensUnited
tomakesurethatrichfolkshavenogreateropportunitythanregularfolksinthepoliticalprocess.
10. What do you see as other important issues?
Outrageous price increases by some companies for sole source generic prescription drugs have preyed
on our most vulnerable people. I have introduced a bipartisan bill that lowers prices by encouraging
competition and streamlining the FDA process. Similarly, I have a bipartisan bill that addresses
inadequate overtime pay for salaried workers but phases things in to protect small businesses.
11. There is a strong anti-government sentiment in much of the nation and Oregon. How would you deal
with that?
I understand folks frustration with their government. A lot of news coming out of Washington is
negative and the media tells the story of gridlock, standstill, and ineffective legislating. As a moderate
blue dog democrat, I have worked to bridge the partisan divide by founding the No Labels problem
solvers caucus. As a result, I was named one of the 10 most effective Congressmen. I will continue to
prioritize bipartisanship for rural and urban Oregon.
12. How would you evaluate the work of the Attorney General's Public Records Reform Task Force. Are
the proposed changes adequate, inadequate or just right?

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Transparency is a good thing. It seems adequate.

13. Any skeletons in your closet or other potentially embarrassing information that you should disclose
before it comes up in the campaign?
No
14. As a political candidate, your views on national politics are relevant to voters. Whom do you support
for U.S. president in the General Election?
Secretary Clinton
15. As a political candidate, your views on state ballot measures are relevant to voters. Please indicate
whether you favor (YES) or oppose (NO) each of these measures:
I respect the will of Oregonians on these important issues addressed through the ballot measures. As a
U.S. Congressman, I will do my best to represent your voice on the issues we face nationally. I want to
focus on the job I was elected to do, and respect the outcome of this state-level process.

Thank you. Please return this questionnaire to the Editorial Board as an attached Word
document to Salemed@StatesmanJournal.com by Sept. 12, 2016.