The Bridge by OR360
Alex Titus & Ben Bowman
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OR360 presents, The Bridge, a podcast hosted by Ben Bowman, Reagan Knopp, and Alex Titus.
Our podcast explores how the nationalization of politics is reshaping Oregon’s political landscape and providing a platform for Oregon issues to garner national attention.
Our thesis is that we must understand the opportunities and limitations of a political environment increasingly driven by people and events at the national level if we want to create a more unified and productive political culture in Oregon.
Available episodes
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5 days ago
Who will be the next Secretary of State? | EP 107
The Oregon politics community is abuzz with questions and theories about the vacancy in the Secretary of State’s office. In this episode, we discuss the role and its significance in state government. We discuss the complex political dynamics of the vacancy and the process for how the position is filled (and the requirements for who can fill it). We also cover the potential candidates and the public statements that have been made by the Governor and other political leaders. Finally, we offer some historical context of how previous vacancies have been filled—and what that might say about this vacancy.
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May 17, 2023
The role of effective communication in Oregon politics with Kristina Edmunson | EP 106
Kristina Edmunson is a seasoned communications professional with a wealth of experience in the field. She is best known for her role as the former Communications Director for Oregon's Attorney General, Ellen Rosenblum. Throughout her tenure, Kristina demonstrated exceptional skills in strategic communication, media relations, and public affairs, contributing significantly to the successful implementation of the Attorney General's agenda.
With a keen understanding of the complexities of legal matters and their impact on communities, Kristina played a pivotal role in shaping the public image of the Attorney General's office. Her expertise in crafting clear and compelling messaging helped to effectively communicate the office's initiatives, priorities, and accomplishments to various stakeholders, including the public, media outlets, and government agencies.During her time as Communications Director, Kristina demonstrated an unwavering commitment to transparency and accountability. She skillfully navigated challenging issues and crisis situations, working closely with the Attorney General's team to ensure accurate and timely dissemination of information while maintaining public trust.
Kristina's ability to forge strong relationships with journalists and media professionals proved instrumental in securing positive media coverage for the Attorney General's office. Her strategic media outreach efforts ensured that important legal developments, consumer protection initiatives, and other key announcements received the attention they deserved.
Prior to her role with the Attorney General's office, Kristina honed her communication skills in various positions within the public and private sectors. Kristina holds a bachelor's degree in Communication Studies, with a focus on strategic communication and public relations. She continues to stay up-to-date with the latest trends and best practices in the field, recognizing the ever-evolving nature of effective communication in today's digital age.
In this episode we take a deeper dive into the role of communications in Oregon's political climate and the threats currently being posed to the field of journalism and the impact that can have on the democratic process.
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May 10, 2023
What political leaders need to know about childbirth and maternal health, with Rebecca Grant
Rebecca Grant is a freelance journalist based in Portland, Oregon, who covers reproductive rights, health, and justice. She recently published a book called "Birth: Three Mothers, Nine Months, and Pregnancy in America" that follows three women in Oregon through the course of their pregnancies. Grant's work has appeared in NPR, The Atlantic, The Washington Post, and many other other publications. She has received grants and fellowships from the International Women’s Media Foundation, the International Reporting Project, and The Investigative Fund.
While abortion often dominates the political discourse on reproductive health in the United States, there are many other critical facets. In this episode, we talk about maternal health outcomes, racial disparities in medical treatment, the tension between OBGYNs and midwives, why hospital births are so dominant (compared to birth centers and home births), and how miscarriages became stigmatized--and why that might be changing.
Links:
* Learn more about "Birth" (signed copies available at Powell's!)
* Rebecca Grant's website
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May 4, 2023
Why the 1990 election changed Oregon forever, with Jeff Mapes | EP 104
Jeff Mapes is a legendary Oregon political reporter. He spent over 30 years with The Oregonian and retired working for Oregon Public Broadcasting (OPB). He covered dozens of gubernatorial, congressional, and legislative elections in Oregon and had a front row seat to the changing political dynamics of this state. He also wrote and produced an acclaimed podcast called "Growing Oregon" about land use planning in Oregon. If you enjoy The Oregon Bridge, we highly recommend Growing Oregon.
In this episode, we talk about Jeff's storied career as a reporter: how he got started, how the state and political parties have changed, and key figures who made an impact along the way. We talk about land use planning, both historically and in the context of today's political debates.
We spend the bulk of the episode talking about one of the most impactful and fascinating elections in Oregon political history. In 1990, Barbara Roberts shattered Oregon's glass ceiling by becoming the first woman ever elected governor, defeating moderate Republican Attorney General Dave Frohnmayer, and independent candidate Al Mobley, who ran as a staunch conservative. We talk about what made the race so unique, and two other election issues in 1990 that still reverberate today: Measure 5 (property tax limits) and the spotted owl.
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Apr 26, 2023
What’s next in criminal justice justice reform, with Justin Low | EP 103
Justin Low is an investigative researcher for the Oregon Justice Resource Center (OJRC). OJRC is an organization focused on promoting civil rights and improving legal representation for historically underserved communities; they have been major proponents for criminal justice reform in Oregon.
Justin grew up in Oregon City and was raised in an immigrant Filipino-Chinese household. He attended the University of Portland and graduated with a BA in Political Science and Psychology. After college, Justin went on to work as a paralegal/litigation assistant, a campaign manager for state and local races, and a legislative assistant in the Oregon State Legislature. He recently earned his master's degree in Criminal Justice from USC.
In this episode, we talk about some important issues in criminal justice reform in Oregon that are likely to be hot topics--and why they matter to advocates.
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Apr 19, 2023
How a Pro-Gun Group Stopped Oregon’s Measure 114 | EP 102
Monte Bowen is the Pacific Regional Director for Gun Owners of America (GOA), an influential gun-rights organization based in Washington, D.C., with a presence across the country. Monte served in law enforcement for 30 years and has extensive experience with the criminal justice system, firearm training, and police tactics. He joins us to talk about GOA's lawsuit that effectively halted Measure 114 after it was passed by Oregon voters via ballot measure in 2022. We also dive into other topics such as school safety, hand-gun bans, background checks, and open carry laws and rules. Want the other side of the debate as well?
Check out our episode below with Moms Demand Action.
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Apr 12, 2023
Jules Bailey on the future of Portland--and why the bottle bill still matters | EP 101
Jules Bailey is a former Oregon State Representative and former Multnomah County Commissioner. He currently serves as the President and CEO of the Oregon Beverage Recycling Cooperative (OBRC). Bailey ran for Portland Mayor in 2016 and remains a civic leader through his role at OBRC and as board chair for the Oregon League of Conservation Voters and a board member for the Portland Business Alliance.
In this episode, we talk about why he ran for office and his time in the legislature (and some of his colleagues at the time, including Arnie Roblan and Peter Buckley). We cover his stint as a Commissioner (including the challenges/limitations of that role) and why he decided to run for Mayor of Portland in 2016 against Ted Wheeler. We ask Bailey what he thinks about the state of Portland today and get his thoughts on Portland's new form of government. Finally, we cover Bailey's work today with OBRC. We talk about the origin of Oregon's innovative, nation-leading bottle bill, how it's changed over time, and why it still matters today.
For more information about OBRC, check out their website: https://obrc.com/
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Apr 5, 2023
Celebrating 100 Episodes of The Oregon Bridge Podcast! | EP 100
On our 100th episode, we first and foremost want to say thank you. Thank you for listening, thank you for subscribing, and thank you for sharing this podcast with friends and colleagues. We recently surpassed 60,000 listens (!)—far greater than we expected for our niche podcast. To our listeners, guests, and sponsors: thank you for supporting us. On this episode, we reveal the top five most watched episodes on YouTube and the top five most listened to episodes on podcast platforms. Ben shares some of his favorite episodes—and discusses the trade-offs of interviewing elected officials. Finally, we cover what you can expect from the future of the pod, and opportunities to be engaged.
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Mar 29, 2023
Dave Frohnmayer, Rajneeshees, PERS, and the changing legal field with Harrang Long P.C. | EP 99
Bob Steringer is the firm president of Harrang Long P.C. and Bill Gary is the firm's senior trial attorney (and former Solicitor General of the State of Oregon). Both are well-respected attorneys with deep experience in Oregon politics, law, and government. Harrang Long P.C. is Oregon360 Media's first advertising partner, and in this episode we discuss the firm's interesting position at the intersection of law, business, and policy--and what their future looks like.
Gary was Dave Frohnmayer's chief deputy when he served as Oregon's Attorney General; Steringer was an intern of Frohnmayer's 1990 gubernatorial run--both worked with him at Harrang Long P.C. later in Frohnmayer's career. They reflect on who Frohnmayer was and what made him a unique and consequential figure in Oregon history. We also talk about the Rajneeshees--a complicated and high-profile issue that Gary navigated in the AG's office. You may have seen Gary in the popular netflix documentary "Wild, Wild Country". In this episode, he discusses that experience and tells some mind-blowing stories from a wild period in Oregon politics.
To learn more about Harrang Long P.C., visit their website: https://harrang.com/
More links:
* Dave Frohnmayer's prescient "New Tribalism" speech/essay
* Bob Steringer on Twitter: @SteringerLaw
* Netflix documentary on Rajneeshee Movement: Wild, Wild Country
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Mar 22, 2023
Metro Councilor Juan Gonzalez offers a framework for navigating complex challenges | EP 98
Juan Carlos Gonzalez is the Metro Councilor for District 4 (which includes parts of Beaverton, Bethany, Aloha, Bonny Slope, Raleigh Hills, West Slope, Cedar Mill and Cedar Hills, Hillsboro, Cornelius and Forest Grove). When he was sworn in, he made history as the youngest and first elected Latino Metro Councilor in the history of Metro.
Juan brings an interesting and thoughtful perspective to complex questions: in this episode, we cover land use planning, equity in decision making, semiconductors, housing supply, and transportation infrastructure. We also cover sports and the role of athletics and outdoor recreation in Oregon's economy. We enjoyed chatting with Juan because he's transparent in how he thinks about challenging questions and acknowledges tradeoffs inherent in public policy.
To learn more about Juan, find him on social media or at Metro.
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Mar 16, 2023
Professor Rohan Grey is an Oregonian making waves in Washington and Wall Street | EP 97
Professor Rohan Grey is an Oregonian making waves in Washington and Wall Street -- all from his office at Willamette Law School. A professor of economics and financial regulation, Grey is one of the leading proponents of the "mint the coin" theory which advocates that the US government mint a trillion dollar coin to stop a potential default between Republicans and Democrats in Washington. Grey also discusses his fascinating career background, his theory behind money and the creation of it, and a lot more in this episode. Here's a link to a New York Times article discussing further about some of Grey's beliefs and the coin theory: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/02/02/business/trillion-dollar-coin-debt-ceiling.html
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Mar 8, 2023
Mayor David Drotzmann has a clear view on solving the urban rural divide | EP 96
In this episode, Hermiston Mayor David Drotzmann explains why one size fits all policy solutions don’t always work for rural Oregon, the challenges of small town politics, and how nonpartisan local government can help solve for the new era of partisan divisions.
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Mar 2, 2023
What does the Governor’s Chief of Staff do? With Nik Blosser | EP 95
Nik Blosser has held jobs at the highest levels of the state and federal government. He served at Gov. Kate Brown's Chief of Staff for over three years, and then went on to serve as Deputy Cabinet Secretary and Special Assistant to President Joe Biden. Recently, he returned to Oregon to work as vice president for public policy, communications and public affairs at PGE.
In this episode, we ask Nik about what the Governor's chief of staff actually does--and how they navigate the challenging decisions that fall on their desk. We revisit some of the most difficult moments of the Kate Brown Administration, including COVID-19 and wildfires. We also ask Nik about what it's like working at the federal level. As you might have expected, there is also some time spent on fun stories from earlier days of Oregon politics.
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Feb 22, 2023
The profound legacy of Governor Vic Atiyeh with Jim Moore | EP 94
Jim Moore is a well-known political commentator and the Director of Political Outreach for the Tom McCall Center for Civic Engagement at Pacific University. Moore also recently completed a soon-to-be released biography of Vic Atiyeh, the 32nd Governor of Oregon.
This episode centers on Atiyeh’s tenure as Governor and some of the lasting impacts of his administration. We cover how he managed through crisis (including the largest bioterrorism attack in US history and the Rajneeshee crisis in Wasco County) and the ways his legacy are still felt today. Moore helps us think through the similarities and differences between our current political environment (and current Governor) with Atiyeh and his tenure.
Atiyeh was a special man who led Oregon during a challenging and fascinating period of history.
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Feb 16, 2023
Are non-affiliated voters being disenfranchised? A potential path to ending closed primaries with Michael Calcagno | EP 93
Michael Calcagno joins The Oregon Bridge to talk about All Oregon Votes. The ballot measure seeks to end partisan primaries, a proposal that has failed in the past. Michael talks about why this time could be different.
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Feb 8, 2023
Why Tom McCall still matters: A conversation with Brent Walth | EP 92
Brent Walth is one of Oregon's most decorated journalists. Now a professor at the University of Oregon School of Journalism and Communication, he previously worked as a reporter for the Register Guard, Willamette Week, and The Oregonian. In 2000, he was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize, and in 2001, he won the prize, along with three colleagues at The O.
Walth is the author of Fire at Eden's Gate: Tom McCall and the Oregon Story, one of the best books about Oregon ever written. It tells the story of the man who may be the most influential governor in modern Oregon history: Tom McCall. McCall was a giant personality with an outsized impact on the state. He is best remembered for a series of groundbreaking environmental policies, including Oregon's public beach bill, the bottle bill, the Willamette River cleanup, and--perhaps most relevant today--Oregon's land use planning system.
Here's the thesis: if you want to understand contemporary Oregon politics, you have to understand Tom…
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Feb 1, 2023
How Greg Walden almost didn’t go to Congress | EP 91
Greg Walden is a giant in Oregon politics. In this episode Congressman Walden dishes on his 11 terms in Congress, what it was like serving alongside four Presidents in 22 years. He also shares the story about how he almost didn’t run for congress.
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Jan 25, 2023
Conservative journalist Matthew Foldi gives the insider scoop on Kevin McCarthy’s Speaker Race and the GOP Congress | EP 90
Matthew (Matt) Foldi is a conservative journalist and activist with a plethora of political experience at the national and local level. He is one of the youngest elected officials in Chicago history, served as the Rapid Response Director for Speaker the House Republican Super PAC, and ran for Congress in 2022 with -- garnering endorsements from GOP heavyweights like Donald Trump Jr. and Speaker Kevin McCarthy. We bring in Matt to give us a rundown in terms of why the GOP red wave failed to materialize, an inside look on Rep. Kevin McCarthy's historic vote to take the House Gavel. Matt also discusses what the GOP Congress has in store for 2022 and 2024 and gives his insights into when candidates on the GOP side of the aisle will begin announcing for President.
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Jan 18, 2023
How to think about Oregon’s housing and homelessness crisis with John Tapogna | EP 89
How to think about Oregon’s housing and homelessness crisis with John Tapogna
John Tapogna is a well-respected figure in the Oregon policy scene. He served as president of ECONorthwest, a prominent economic consulting firm, from 2009-2021. He now serves as a Senior Policy Advisor. Previously, John worked for U.S. Congressional Budget Office and served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Chile. This episode is about a recent paper that ECONorthwest published called “Postcard from the Future: What Portland can learn from the implementation of Los Angeles’s Measure H?” We hope this provides a framework for thinking about housing and homelessness policy issues that the state must grapple with. In the first half, we talk about which specific interventions are most effective (and which aren’t)—and in the second half, we talk about the six specific recommendations for policymakers to avoid the missteps from LA’s measure.
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Jan 11, 2023
The wild story of when Kate Brown and Peter Courtney ran against each other, with guest Rick Metsger | EP 88
Rick Metsger served for a decade in the Oregon State Senate before being nominated by President Barack Obama to serve on the board of the National Credit Union Administration. In this episode, we talk briefly about Rick's tenure as a State Senator and about the vetting process he went through before being appointed to his post in the Obama Administration.
The bulk of the episode is Rick telling the wild story of the time when Kate Brown, then-Senate Democratic Leader, competed with then-Senator Peter Courtney for the position of Senate President. The caucus election had a significant, long-lasting impact on Oregon's political landscape for decades--including setting Kate Brown on the path to the governorship.
Rick was a member of the Senate Democratic Caucus at the time of this election. He interviewed 15 former colleagues in the Senate (Democrats and Republicans) before writing an essay that reveals the behind-the-scenes dynamics that ultimately led to Peter Courtney's ascension to…
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Jan 4, 2023
The State of Gun Safety Policy w/ Moms Demand Action Chapter Leader Hilary Uhlig | EP 87
Hilary Uhlig is the volunteer Oregon Chapter Leader of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, an organization that advocates for gun safety legislation. Moms Demand Action, Mayors Against Illegal Guns, and Students Demand Action are three component groups of Everytown for Gun Safety, a national nonprofit.
In this episode we talk about the state of gun safety in Oregon, including the passage of Measure 114, a significant (and controversial) ballot measure that creates a new permitting system for gun ownership and bans the sale of magazines over ten rounds. We talk about how the measure works and the current legal challenges that are playing out in court. We also talk about some major policies that have passed recently in Oregon and what policies the organization is working toward moving forward.
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Dec 28, 2022
Nigel Jaquiss tells the most shocking story in modern Oregon political history | EP 86
Nigel Jaquiss is one of the top political reporters in Oregon. He has helped the Willamette Week, an alternative newspaper, punch above its weight class in breaking multiple major political stories over the last 25 years. Before entering journalism, Nigel worked as a crude oil trader on Wall Street--in this episode he talks about why he made a significant career change, his view on the role of journalism in politics, and how his role at WW has changed over time.
We also talk about the story that won him the Pulitzer Prize in 2005: one of the most shocking stories in modern Oregon political history. Nigel broke the news of former Governor Neil Goldschmidt's repeated sexual abuse of a 14-year-old girl in a dramatic, horrifying story called "The 30-Year Secret". Our younger listeners are likely not familiar with this story, so we asked Nigel to re-tell it and explain its significance for a younger audience. Our older listeners may have forgotten some of the jaw-dropping details.…
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Dec 22, 2022
Republican Recap, Jimmy, Alex and Regan debrief the 2022 election cycle | EP 85
Jimmy Crumpacker returns to the Oregon Bridge to break down the 2022 election, highlighting everything from homelessness, and crime in Portland to crypto to commodities.
Folks may remember Jimmy Crumpacker as a candidate for Oregon's 2nd Congressional District in 2020, running as a staunchly conservative Republican (he had a popular ad that labeled him as a "Trumpbacker") to replace retiring Congressman Greg Walden. In a tight four-way race, he finished behind eventual winner Congressman Cliff Bentz, Knute Buehler, and Jason Atkinson.
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Nov 30, 2022
Gratitude from The Oregon Bridge podcast (and a sports teaser) | EP 84
It's the week after Thanksgiving, and we're taking a break from politics! This week, Ben and Reagan offer some thoughts on what they're grateful for, metrics on how the podcast is doing, highlights from their Thanksgiving, news from the weekend's sporting events, and a few other hot topics.
To all of our listeners, viewers, and supporters--thank you. We love creating this podcast and we're grateful for your continued support.
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Nov 23, 2022
Why did the red wave miss Oregon? An election debrief with John Horvick | EP 83
John Horvick is one of the top pollsters in Oregon. In this episode, John provides expert analysis to help explain the results of the election—and the implications for Oregon’s future. We talk about why the red wave didn’t hit Oregon, how national factors impacted Oregon results, the importance of candidate quality, and bright spots for both parties. We cover the governor’s race, congressional races, the legislature, and what the results from Portland mean about how voters are feeling.
As always, we highly recommend following John on Twitter for poll results, political analysis, and interesting historical comparisons: @Horvick.
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Nov 17, 2022
The government’s role in growing Oregon’s news ecosystem, with the Agora Journalism Center | EP 82
This week’s guests are Regina Lawrence and Andrew DeVigal from the Agora Journalism Center at the University of Oregon. We talk about the state of Oregon’s news and information ecosystem—and some of the innovative ideas from across the state. This conversation is about journalism, but specifically for a more politics-focused audience.
If you haven’t yet, we highly recommend you read Agora’s recent report (or at least the Executive Summary!): Assessing Oregon’s Local News & Information Ecosystem 2022. Oregon’s information ecosystem plays a huge role in our politics—if you care about a healthy civic culture, you should care about access to state and local news.
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Nov 10, 2022
Secretary Shemia Fagan on election integrity and how Oregon counts ballots | EP 81
This week, we are excited to have Oregon Secretary of State Shemia Fagan as our guest! We all knew that there were going to be many close races this election--from the top of the ticket on down, so we thought it was important for our listeners to understand how Oregon's election system works. In this episode, Secretary Fagan explains her role and the protocols that county elections follow to ensure ballots are counted accurately. We also discuss what she sees as the greatest threat to election integrity in Oregon, how the roles of the Oregon Secretary of State vary from the roles in other states, how the audit function of her office works, and her advice for how to make state government work better. Secretary Fagan also gives a tip for how to manage the anxiety of election night--you'll want to keep this in mind for next cycle! As a bonus, after the pod was recorded, Ben Morris shared that about 10,000 folks were on the SOS results website on the primary election night--so you can bet…
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Nov 2, 2022
What Tobias Read learned running for Governor | EP 80 Oregon State Treasurer Tobias Read
In this episode, State Treasurer Tobias Read reflects on his experience running for Governor, provides updates on some hot topics at Treasury (e.g. the “work from home” dispute), and muses on what his future might look like after he is term-limited in two years. We talk about his recent New York Times op-ed (A Sneaky Form of Climate Obstruction Hurts Pension Funds), PERS, crypto/blockchain, and more.
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Oct 30, 2022
DA Kevin Barton on Measure 110, the public defense crisis, and Betsy Johnson
Kevin Barton is the District Attorney of Washington County. First elected in 2018, he previously served as a career prosecutor in the same office. Both of Barton's elections for DA made state and national headlines, with millions of dollars raised from wealthy donors on both sides (including Phil Knight and George Soros).
In this episode we cover Barton's elections, the philosophy behind his national media appearances (including Fox News), how Multnomah County impacts his work in Washington County, and why he supports Betsy Johsnon. We also cover two high-profile issues that will be facing the state legislature in 2023: Measure 110 and the public defense crisis.
Here's a link to the Oregon Judicial Department Dashboard that Barton mentions in the episode, and here's a link to Barton's DA website.
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Oct 20, 2022
Representative Raquel Moore-Green is running for one of the most competitive seats in Oregon | EP 78
State Representative Raquel Moore-Green is running against Deb Patterson for one of the most competitive state legislative seats in Oregon, and has been serving the South Salem community for decades.
As a veteran politician, Representative Moore-Green was appointed to the state senate in senate district 10 after working on a number of campaigns as a legislative and campaign staffer, including campaigns for Representative, then Commissioner Kevin Cameron, and the late Jackie Winters. Raquel is a passionate leader and in this episode we dive extensively into the effects of Measure 110, the housing and homeless crisis, and mental / behavioral health issues, as some of the top issues on the forefront of voter's minds this cycle.
You can check out Rep. Moore-Green's work and campaign here. https://rmgsd10.com/
She also gave out her email and phone number in the episode so tune in for that!
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Oct 13, 2022
Building a future in a shifting Oregon economy with GOP candidate Daniel Bonham | EP 77
Aviation, trees, Maupin, and Betsy Johnson. Daniel Bonham is a Republican member of the Oregon House of Representatives representing district 59 in Central Oregon and is currently running for Oregon State Senator.
Stay tuned for the interesting anecdote about Bonham's first encounter with 22' Oregon gubernatorial candidate Betsy Johnson.
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Oct 6, 2022
Red Wave or Blue Wall? Senator Rachel Armitage on the 2022 election | EP 76
Senator Rachel Armitage re-joins the Bridge to discuss democratic representation in rural Oregon districts and the 2022 election.
Senator Armitage representing rural northwest Oregon. A Democrat, Armitage has deep experience in politics, including working as a legislative assistant for Rep. Susan McLain and former Rep. Carla Piluso. She also worked at the national level on the campaigns of Montana Senator Jon Tester and former North Carolina Senator Kay Hagan. Gowland grew up in Medford, and in this episode we talk about the the governor's race, current polling and whether or not Democrats can compete in rural districts in 2022.
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Sep 28, 2022
The biggest surprises (and bloopers) from the 2022 Voters Pamphlet | EP 75
This week, Ben and Reagan analyze the 2022 Voters Pamphlet. They talk about the mechanics of getting into the voters pamphlet, why it matters, and some of the common (and uncommon) strategies that campaigns use to appeal to voters. This year, there were some funny “bloopers”—mistakes, spelling errors, and minor embellishments—plus some unusual endorsements (including a high-profile professional athlete).
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Sep 21, 2022
Behind 2022’s eye-popping fundraising numbers | EP 74
This week, Ben and Reagan outline the fundraising and cash-on-hand totals for key races in Oregon (including the race for Governor, BOLI, and the battle to control the legislature). We also discuss how listeners should think about the numbers, and some caveats to be aware before taking too much stock in money.
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Sep 14, 2022
”Red Wave”? Alex and Reagan discuss what the election could look like for republicans this year | EP 73
With Ben being on administrative leave this week, The Oregon Bridge's newest co-host Reagan Knopp is sitting down with "host emeritus" Alex Titus to discuss what the political landscape looks like for Republican candidates leading up to the 2022 election, just a few months away.
In this special "Red Wave" episode Alex and Reagan go over the status of races both on the state and national levels, polling credibility, as well as some of the key talking points candidates on both sides of the isle are likely to be running on this year.
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Sep 7, 2022
Christina Stephenson is a candidate for Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor and Industries, in a runoff with former Rep. Cheri Helt | EP 72
Stephenson, who nearly won the election outright in the primary election, is a civil rights attorney and small business owner. She ran for the state legislature in 2020, narrowly coming up short. In this episode, we talk about workforce development, higher education, the famous LTBTQ+ rights case involving “Sweet Cakes”, and the politics of running statewide for a nonpartisan office.
You can check out Christina's campaign here:
https://www.christinastephenson.com/
As well as our interview with Cheri Helt here:
https://youtu.be/t3f7KzkS70g
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Aug 31, 2022
Ian Mair explains everything politicos need to know about crypto and blockchain tech EP | 71
If you've ever wondered why cryptocurrency matters, or why you should care about it, this episode is for you. We talk about the origins of crypto, the practical uses for blockchain technology, what crypto can be used for, environmental concerns about bitcoin mining, "crypto candidates" (including prominent Oregon candidates), and the future of crypto policy and regulation in U.S. politics (with some insight into how both the Democratic Party and Republican Party talk about the issue).
Ian Mair is the Head of U.S. Policy for Blockchain.com. Previously, worked as Vice President at The Smith-Free Group, a lobbying firm, where he advised fintech and crypto clients on legislative and regulatory matters--and advocated on their behalf with decision makers.
As a reminder, nothing in this episode should be considered financial advice!
Links referenced in the interview:
* The Wired story Ian referenced: Inside the Bitcoin Bust That Took Down the Web’s Biggest Child Abuse S…
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Aug 24, 2022
Prof. Michelle Wilde Anderson on challenges, opportunities, lessons, and misconceptions in Josephine County--and why it matters for Oregon and America | EP 70
Michelle Wilde Anderson is an award-winning Professor at Stanford Law School and an expert on poverty, inequality, and local government. Her new book The Fight to Save the Town (published by Simon and Schuster in June 2022) prominently features Josephine County as she describes signs of progress in places in America with high poverty and broke governments (the book also looks at Stockton, CA, Lawrence, MA, and Detroit, MI).
In this episode, Michelle provides a portrait of Josephine County and the people who live there--and what makes the place so interesting. We talk about the origin of poverty in southern Oregon, the caliber of people running for local office, and how communities provide "public safety" when the government fails to. Perhaps most importantly for our listeners, we talk about the lessons we can learn from Josephine County, a deeply conservative place with anti-government tendencies, where they finally passed a series of local levies after years of failed attempts. Mi…
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Aug 22, 2022
”Emergency Pod” on the story behind a surprising gubernatorial endorsement! | EP 69
Last week, OR360 broke the news that former Rep. Mike Nearman, who was expelled from the legislature and pled guilty to official misconduct, endorsed Betsy Johnson for governor. Later, The Oregonian picked up the story and included a quote from Johnson rejecting the endorsement.
In this unscheduled "emergency pod", we share the story of how it all happened -- and give an update on the state of the three-person governor's race.
Here's a link to The Liftoff where we broke the news about Nearman's endorsement.
Here's a link to The Oregonian story on Johnson rejecting the endorsement.
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Aug 16, 2022
The Oregon Bridge is excited to welcome a brand new co-host! | EP 68
The Oregon Bridge is excited to announce a new co-host of the podcast. It's a familiar face and a longtime friend of the pod. Listen in to find out whether it's Ben or Alex who is getting fired, and to hear about what the future of the podcast will look (and sound) like.
Thanks for all your continued support. Here's to another year of interesting conversations and a better Oregon.
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Jul 27, 2022
Can Michael Sipe keep a competitive legislative seat red? | EP 67
Michael Sipe is the Republican nominee for a new state house seat in central Oregon (House District 53), considered one of the most competitive in the state. He is running against Democratic nominee Emerson Levy, who we interviewed previously.
Take one look at Michael's website and you'll see he's an unusual candidate: a Cold War Army Ranger, black belt martial artist, podcast host, owner of a private equity advisory firm, and organizer of one of the largest Christian men's gatherings in Oregon (with Mike Huckabee as the special guest).
In this episode, we talk about the major challenges facing Oregon (and central Oregon in particular): sky-high housing prices, water issues, and addiction. We also have a conversation about gun violence in which Michael, Alex, and Ben all disagree with each other on solutions--but also find some common ground.
You can check out Michael's website (including his own podcast) at www.avoiceforcentraloregon.com.
Also mentioned in this episo…
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Jul 20, 2022
Alex and Ben discuss the top 5 political stories you should be following | EP 66
Alex and Ben discuss the top 5 political stories that you should be aware of as election season starts to ramp up. We hit on everything from fundraising numbers and competitive congressional seats, to a new ballot initiative on guns and drama in the Portland sports scene. Look forward to more of these 1-1 interviews as we get close to the election!
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Jul 13, 2022
Can Portland end homelessness? | EP 65
Beth Sandor from Community Solutions (a national nonprofit working to end homelessness) and Lori Kelley from the Joint Office of Homelessness Services (a collaborative effort between Multnomah County and the City of Portland) join the podcast to discuss a new approach to addressing homelessness in the metro area. In this episode, we discuss what the "Built for Zero" program actually does (and where they've seen remarkable success), the controversy from a recent Willamette Week article (linked below), and some important information that politicos should understand about homelessness (e.g. how the "point in time" count works and why it's problematic). Links Referenced in the Episode: Willamette Week Article: Could Portland End Homelessness With a By-Name Directory of People Living Outside? Officials Are Going to Try. www.HomelessnessIsSolvable.com Built for Zero from the Joint Office of Homelessness Services
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Jul 6, 2022
Rep. Karin Power on legislator pay, the childcare crisis, & abortion access post-Roe v. Wade | EP 64
Rep. Karin Power was first elected to the legislature in 2016, representing House District 41 (Milwaukie and part of SE Portland). Power is known for her policy savvy and work ethic; in her second term, Willamette Week called her "the House member held in the highest and widest esteem." Alongside Rep. Rachel Prusak and Rep. Anna Williams, she announced she would not be running for re-election this cycle, citing the demands of the job and low legislative pay. In this episode, we talk about the political dynamics and policy complexities of legislator pay--and whether she's optimistic that things will change. We also cover several issues she's led on (get ready for a mind-blowing conversation about Oregon's childcare crisis).
We cover what the end of Roe v. Wade means in Oregon, how she ended up in Oregon from New Jersey, and an under-the-radar issue more Oregonians should be talking about. Power was recently announced as the new Executive Director of Business for a Better Portland. Sh…
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Jun 29, 2022
Can Emerson Levy flip another central Oregon seat blue? EP 63
Emerson Levy is the Democratic nominee for the new House District 53 (Bend and Redmond) in Central Oregon. Levy ran for the seat in 2020 against now-Rep. Jack Zika, losing by about 14 points. In 2020, the district was R+6, but after redistricting, it's D+4--and Zika isn't running for re-election (Republicans nominated Michael Sipe). This could be one of the closest legislative races in the state. Levy is an attorney, mom, and community leader in Bend. She is active with the Deschutes County Democratic Party, serving as Vice Chair, and has volunteered on the Oregon Task Force for School Safety. She has experience working in complex clean energy deals. In this episode, we talk about her views on school safety (and potential gun laws), the politics of central Oregon and how they differ from the metro area, the sky-high cost of housing, and how Oregon can lead the country on clean energy. To learn more about Emerson, visit her website: www.EmersonVotes.com
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Jun 22, 2022
Acclaimed journalist Les Zaitz on revitalizing local news, rebuilding trust, and some eastern Oregon drama! | EP 62
Les Zaitz is a well-respected figure in the Oregon journalism world (and beyond, as we discuss), having spent decades working in the industry both as a reporter and, more recently, as a media entrepreneur. He is retiring from his post as the founding editor of the Oregon Capital Chronicle and will continue to lead two local publications, the Malheur Enterprise and the Salem Reporter. This was a fun episode--Les is funny, knowledgeable, and direct. We cover many aspects of journalism (local vs. national news, business models, the rise of "creators", whether the state should fund news, etc.), as well as the recent controversies involving the Enterprise and Rep. Greg Smith and some new ideas on closing the urban/rural divide.
Here is his bio, courtesy of the Chronicle:
"Les Zaitz is a veteran editor and investigative reporter, serving Oregon for more than 45 years. He reported for The Oregonian for 25 years and owns community newspapers and a digital news service. He is a natio…
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Jun 17, 2022
Brad Phelps wants to build a space for Oregon to share ideas | EP 61
Oregon360 Media, the parent company for The Oregon Bridge podcast, also puts out a weekly newsletter (The Liftoff) and a weekly collection of opinion pieces (The Oregon Way)--both available on our Substack.
Brad Phelps, an Oregon native who recently graduated from Princeton, will be editing The Oregon Way this summer -- and he's got ideas to improve the way civic leaders share their ideas. Brad grew up outside Lyons, Oregon. In this episode, Brad talks about losing his childhood home during the Beachie Creek Fire as well as his ideas for revamping The Oregon Way.
Thank you for listening, and if you haven't yet, make sure you subscribe to the newsletters and our YouTube page to stay up to date!
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Jun 8, 2022
Oregonian reporter Mike Rogoway on inflation, recessions, and what you should know about Oregon’s economy
Mike Rogoway is an award-winning journalist who has covered business and technology for the Oregonian since 2004. Rogoway is among the most senior reporters at The Oregonian and has broken major national stories during his time at The O; he is well-sourced with a deep knowledge of Oregon's economy and business environment.
In this episode, we ask Mike about the most pressing issues that our audience (of politically engaged listeners) should know about. We talk about the big trends in Oregon's business community, which industries are thriving and which are declining, and why Oregon's publicly-traded companies have suffered worse than the broader stock market. We talk about inflation, whether a recession is on the horizon--and whether Portland and Oregon can be resilient or not. Finally, we cover some specific sectors--agriculture and technology--and why they matter so much for the state's future.
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Jun 1, 2022
Brian Clem is not done with politics yet! | EP 59
Brian Clem is a well-known figure in Oregon politics. He was first elected to the state legislature in 2006 and served for twelve years before retiring late last year. Clem was one of the leading moderate Democrats in the state house, known for his candor and willingness to buck his own leadership (e.g. he is one of the only Democrats who didn’t vote for any of the major PERS reform bills in the last decade). In his retirement from the legislature, he helped launch a PAC called Oregonians Are Ready, which supported more moderate or business-friendly Democrats during the 2022 primary election with over $125,000 in spending. Clem actively considered running for Congress this cycle before declining to run (which we talk about in the episode).
As a legislator, Clem was a dealmaker and had several high-profile accomplishments, including a landmark bill to protect the Metolius River, expanding Oregon’s “farm to school” program, and crafting the “land use grand bargain” of 2014.…
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May 25, 2022
Everything you need to know about the 2022 primary | EP 58
This week, GOP political consultant Reagan Knopp returns to help us digest the results of the 2022 primary election. We talk about the highlights, surprises, winners, and losers from across the state--and why they matter for the general election. We start with a high-level discussion about the major takeaways and themes from the election.
Races include: Democratic and GOP primaries for Governor and Congress, the statewide BOLI race, Portland metro-area races, and legislative highlights.
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May 18, 2022
Cheri Helt on her vision for Labor Commissioner and how she would handle controversial issues | EP 57
Cheri Helt is a candidate for Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor and Industry (Labor Commissioner) and a former state representative from Bend. On May 17, she finished in second place in the primary, meaning she will move to the general election in November and face civil rights attorney Christina Stephenson.
While this statewide position is nonpartisan, Cheri is a moderate Republican and business owner. Previously, she served on the Bend-La Pine School Board for nearly a decade. In this episode, we talk about her experience as a moderate Republican in the legislature (including a couple of difficult votes she took on the Student Success Act and vaccines). We also cover her vision for the role of Labor Commissioner (apprenticeships, workforce development, BOLI staffing, etc). We have an interesting exchange on the famous "Sweet Cakes by Melissa" decision on LGBTQ+ rights and religious freedom (which played out under Commissioners Brad Avakian and Val Hoyle, but may be resolved b…
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May 11, 2022
Reagan Knopp has everything you need to know on upcoming Republican primaries | EP 56
Political consultant and Oregon Catalyst editor Reagan Knopp joins the pod to discuss everything you need to know on the Republican side of the aisle heading into the 2022 primary election (don’t worry, we also cover some Democratic primaries).
The GOP has excellent pick up opportunities across the state and a strong slate of candidates in key races. But who will actually be on the ticket come November? Reagan provides analysis on key races for the GOP ranging from the races for governor, congress, and the legislature — including who’s up, who’s down, and why. Reagan, Alex, and Ben also discuss how they think the Supreme Court’s potential decision on Roe v. Wade will impact elections in Oregon (spoiler: they disagree).
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May 4, 2022
Pollster John Horvick explores the challenges and opportunities for Democrats and Republicans in 2022 | EP 55
John Horvick is one of the top pollsters in the state of Oregon. If there's anyone with their finger on the pulse of public opinion in Oregon, it's John. He is a Senior Vice President for DHM Research (where he's worked for over a decade), a nonpartisan polling firm that works for government agencies, media companies, and nonprofits across the state. His personal Twitter account, @Horvick, is highly recommended for those interested in the intersection of Oregon politics and public opinion research. This episode is a must-listen for those engaged in the campaign world. In this episode, we talk about John's personal background and some of the basics of polling (e.g. what are some of the indicators to look for to determine if a poll is reliable?).
Then we then talk about how voters are feeling and what they're thinking about as we head into the 2022 election. We cover the nature of a three-person race for governor (Democrat vs. Republican vs. Betsy Johnson), how we should think about the…
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Apr 27, 2022
Rep. Andrea Salinas on overcoming SuperPAC spending and passing progressive policy in Congress | EP 54
Rep. Andrea Salinas is a Democratic candidate for Oregon's new 6th Congressional District. She has served in the state legislature since being appointed to serve House District 38 in 2017. Previously, she worked as a legislative advocate for progressive causes. Earlier in her career, she worked as a congressional staffer for Sen. Harry Reid, Rep. Pete Stark, and Congresswoman Darlene Hooley.
Salinas is a top-tier candidate in one of the most competitive congressional primaries in the country. Of all the candidates, she has by far the most support among progressive groups and elected officials. In a normal election, she would be considered the frontrunner -- but, because of unprecedented SuperPAC spending, this is anything but a normal election. In this episode we talk about abortion access, health care policy, climate change, and foreign policy (including China and Ukraine/Russia). We also talk about the politics of the race: what it's like to be running against huge SuperPAC spen…
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Apr 20, 2022
Metro President Lynn Peterson demystifies housing, transportation, and Portland-area politics | EP 53
Metro President Lynn Peterson has worked at just about every level of government, both as an elected and appointed leader. She's served as a Lake Oswego City Councilor, Clackamas County Commission chair, senior transportation policy advisor to Governor John Kitzhaber, and head of the Washington State Transportation Department (we ask her about the wild end of her tenure in WA, forced by the state senate). Now she serves as Council President of Metro, the one-of-a-kind regional government for the Portland area (which she explains in the episode).
In this episode, Peterson takes complicated policy issues (like housing, the urban growth boundary, homelessness, and transportation) and explains them in simple terms. She also underscores the scope of the challenges we face (spoiler: we are *way* short of the number of housing units we need in the region, and it might be worse than you think). We also talk about "People for Portland" and its impact on the political landscape in Portland, plu…
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Apr 13, 2022
Who is Carrick Flynn, the man who could be Oregon’s next congressman? | EP 52
No congressional candidate in Oregon is getting more attention this cycle than Carrick Flynn, a Democratic candidate in Oregon's new 6th Congressional District. At least three SuperPACs are supporting him with millions of dollars in independent expenditures--more than any other candidate in America. Most recently, the SuperPAC aligned to House Democratic leadership (e.g. Speaker Nancy Pelosi) has signaled its support, to the frustration of Flynn's primary opponents, who called the move "unprecedented". So--who, exactly, is Carrick Flynn? Flynn grew up in Vernonia, Oregon in a working class family. His family was displaced by a major flood, making him homeless for a period of time. On a Ford Family Foundation scholarship, he attended the University of Oregon and then Yale Law School. Since then, he has worked in artificial intelligence, biotechnology, and pandemic prevention across the world. Now he's running for Congress. In this episode, we cover his ties to the 6th CD, China, drug p…
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Apr 6, 2022
Matt West thinks Oregon is ready to send a scientist and crypto expert to Congress | EP 51
Matt West is a Democratic candidate for Oregon's new 6th Congressional District -- and he has an unconventional background for a candidate. He is a scientist who earned his Ph.D. from the University of Texas specializing in fuel cell technology. He now he works for Intel as an engineer. His bio says he is "the first congressional candidate with cryptocurrency development experience in decentralized finance." In this episode, Matt explains why he believes crypto can be a tool for progressive values, his ideas for addressing climate change and improving America's healthcare system, and how he would determine whether to vote for congressional approval for U.S. intervention in Ukraine. Matt's website is www.MattWestForCongress.com and his Twitter handle is @MattDWest.
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Mar 26, 2022
Special Episode: Nick Kristof on running for governor and the war in Ukraine | EP 50
Nick Kristof is a world-renowned journalist, author, and humanitarian. A two-time Pulitzer Prize winner, he is also a cider orchardist living in Yamhill, Oregon. He briefly ran for governor of Oregon until being ruled ineligible in February 2022. We start the episode with a campaign debrief: Was the experience positive or negative? Will he consider running for office again? Who will he vote for in the Democratic primary? Then, we focus on the war in Ukraine. This episode is designed to explain the conflict (and why it matters) for lay people without a deep background in foreign policy (like us). In addition to decades of experience in reporting on war, humanitarian crises, and other international conflicts, Nick has family ties to the region (which we discuss). We cover no-fly zones, chemical weapon "red lines", the function of journalism in conflict, the opportunities and dangers of social media during wartime, cyber attacks, and the role of the United States in the emerging geopoliti…
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Mar 23, 2022
Jeff Gudman on how to improve state government challenges | EP 49
Jeff Gudman is a former Lake Oswego City Councilor who was twice the GOP nominee for State Treasurer. He learned his MBA in Finance and Management from the Wharton School of Business and has worked as a financial analyst, treasurer, and investor for several decades. He is also a former All-American swimmer! In this episode we cover PERS (an issue Gudman has studied deeply) and why he believes it matters, what it's like for a moderate Republican to be on the ballot with Donald Trump, whether or not the state should divest from certain investments (Russia, fossil fuel companies, China, etc.), and how Oregon should prevent future state government breakdowns like the ones seen recently with unemployment checks, distributing renter and landlord assistance, and the delay in the new family leave program.
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Mar 16, 2022
Marshall Kosloff on Ukraine and how young people should approach politics in an age of dysfunction | EP 48
Marshall Kosloff (@makosloff on Twitter) is host of The Realignment podcast (almost 1.5 million channel views on YouTube alone) which focuses on shifting thinking in American politics, technology, economics, and national security. He is also an Executive Producer at the tech company On Deck. Marshall, Ben, and Alex all attended the University of Oregon together and have been friends since college.
While Marshall and Ben are not foreign policy experts, they are both deeply interested in international affairs. In this crossover episode (also posted on The Realignment), they discuss why Russia's invasion of Ukraine matters and its implications for the future of U.S. foreign policy. Marshall offers his view of what it means for America to be an "arsenal for democracy" in the 21st century and Ben talks about the Democratic Party's evolution on foreign policy since the George W. Bush era in the 2000s. They discuss the emerging broad international consensus acting against Russia and wh…
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Mar 9, 2022
Beaverton Mayor Lacey Beaty on leadership lessons from military service and how cities solve problems | EP 47
Lacey Beaty is the mayor of Beaverton, one of the largest cities in Oregon. In this episode, we talk about her experience as a combat medic in the U.S. Army during the Iraq War and the challenges that veterans face when they return home. We also touch on U.S. foreign policy, the value of compulsory national service, and the sustainability challenges of an all-volunteer military. We also talk about what can be done about affordable housing--including an idea she has modeled after an existing home ownership program for veterans. Finally, we touch on the convening power of mayors and the role of cities in solving complex project. We end with an explanation of what happened in the Twitter controversy that ended with the Executive Director of the League of Oregon Cities losing his job.
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Mar 2, 2022
Will Tobias Read be Oregon’s Next Governor? | EP 46
Treasurer Tobias Read returns to the Bridge, this time as a candidate for Governor. With Nick Kristof officially out of the running, Read and Speaker Tina Kotek are the two frontrunners to be the Democratic nominee. Read is a seasoned veteran in Oregon politics and on this episode he discloses some of the ideas he has for Oregon's future. We talk about Oregon’s homelessness crisis, conservation and natural resource controversies, campaign finance reform, and the governor’s role is addressing the challenges facing Portland. We also may have made a little history with what may be one of the first questions about cryptocurrency in an Oregon gubernatorial campaign.
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Feb 23, 2022
Tigard Mayor Jason Snider on pragmatism and leadership | EP 45
Tigard Mayor Jason Snider is one of highest ranking independent elected officials in Oregon (he's never been a member of a political party) as mayor of one of largest cities. He is a fascinating (and funny) person with a deep knowledge of policy issues impacting local jurisdictions. He serves as Chair of the Metropolitan Mayors Consortium (which represents nearly all the Portland metro cities) and is on the board of the Oregon Mayors Association.
In this episode we talk about how and why the local response to COVID-19 has varied across Oregon, what cities can do to address the housing affordability crisis and homelessness, and the extent to which Oregonians are really divided. Stick around for the end of the podcast when he describes what mayors want from their next governor--and some of the biggest (and unsung) challenges of Oregon state government.
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Feb 16, 2022
Mingus Mapps has ideas for the crises facing Portland | EP 44
Mingus Mapps is a Portland City Commissioner. He leads the Water Bureau, the Bureau of Environmental Services, and the Bureau of Emergency Communications (9-1-1). He is also an academic scholar who teachers courses on government. Mapps defeated incumbent Commissioner Chloe Eudaly and former mayor Sam Adams in the 2020 election. He is a unique figure in Portland politics; as you'll hear in the interview, he is whip smart and pragmatic--and he doesn't hesitate to levy critiques (including Portland's "ineffective" form of government). In this episode, we cover Portland's homelessness crisis, the challenge of addressing addiction issues, his mentors (former Multnomah County Commission Chairs Gladys McCoy and Bev Stein), and his call for Portlanders to jump into the fray and get involved in city affairs.
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Feb 9, 2022
Reagan Knopp returns to deconstruct the Oregon governor’s race | EP 43
Republican operative and political consultant Reagan Knopp returns to the Bridge to deconstruct the Oregon Governor's race. With candidates including: Bridget Barton, Christine Drazan, John Fosdick III, Jessica Gomez, Nick Hess, Jim Huggins, Kerry McQuisten, Brandon Merritt, Bud Pierce, Stan Pulliam, Amber Richardson, Marc Thielman, Wilson Bright, Peter Hall, Tina Kotek, Tobias Read, Patrick Starnes, Michael Trimble, and Betsey Johnson, voters currently await a decision from Dallas Heard and news from the supreme court about Nicholas Kristof.
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Feb 2, 2022
Angela Wilhelms with Oregon Business & Industry talks manufacturing in Oregon | EP 42
Born and raised in Klamath Falls, Angela Wilhelms has had a long and diverse career in Oregon politics. After steering away from a projected career in corporate finance and life in the Bay Area, Wilhelms worked on the communications team in D.C for Congressman Greg Walden. She then returned to her home state and served a seven year stint as Chief of Staff for former minority leader and Co-Speaker of the House Bruce Hanna. She then spent time practicing law in Portland and working at the University of Oregon as the first secretary of the board of trustees, before taking her current position with Oregon Business Industry (OBI). With approximately 1,600 members, of which 83 percent represent small businesses, OBI's members are responsible for the employment of over 250,000 people across Oregon. Angela refers to manufacturing as "the unsung hero" of Oregon's economy. In this episode we talk politics, economics, policy, and the future of Oregon--including some innovative ideas for how to bu…
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Jan 26, 2022
Why is national Politico reporter Natalie Fertig so interested in Oregon? | EP 41
Natalie Fertig is the National Cannabis Policy Reporter for Politico. Fertig, who grew up in Washington State and attended Portland State Universiy, wrote a riveting, terrifying article title "‘Talk About Clusterf---’: Why Legal Weed Didn’t Kill Oregon’s Black Market" that exposes a serious problem in Southern Oregon: cartel-control marijuana grows and a law enforcement/regulatory infrastructure not equipped to respond. When Fertig visited, she heard gun shots (that were likely warning her and her guide to stay away) and gathered stories from residents who have been victims of intimidation. In this episode, we talk about the arch of marijuana policy in Oregon and how the federal landscape and political environment has changed since Oregon's legalization in 2014. We talk about the economics of illegal marijuana grows and the tools that law enforcement and state regulators do and do not have to fight back against the cartels.
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Jan 19, 2022
Meet Oregon’s newest legislator, Sen. Rachel Armitage | EP 40
Rachel Armitage has officially been selected to finish the term of former State Senator Betsy Johnson, representing rural northwest Oregon. A Democrat, Armitage has deep experience in politics, including working as a legislative assistant for Rep. Susan McLain and former Rep. Carla Piluso. She also worked at the national level on the campaigns of Montana Senator Jon Tester and former North Carolina Senator Kay Hagan. Gowland grew up in Medford, and in this episode we talk about the past and future of the timber industry and whether Democrats can win in rural districts in 2022. We do a deep dive on the appointment process to fill legislative vacancies, including the peculiarities of this specific vacancy (Armitage was actually supporting one of her opponents). Finally, we talk about the perspective Armitage will bring as a millenial legislator and how to bridge generational divides in Oregon politics.
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Jan 12, 2022
Sarah Iannarone has thoughts on the future of Portland | EP 39
Sarah Iannarone grew up in a union family in upstate New York. Rather than going to college out of high school, Sarah pursued a trade and worked as a chef in great food cities around the U.S.. Not long after moving from New Orleans to Portland in 1998, Sarah opened a small restaurant to connect the people in her working-class neighborhood with high quality food from local farmers at a fair price. It was even featured on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. Sadly, it is now shuttered due to the COVID crisis. After working without pay as a stay-at-home mom for several years, Sarah decided to enroll at Portland State University where she focused on planning sustainable cities. That's how she ended up spending the last decade helping urban leaders from around the world improve their places via the First Stop Portland program, best practices trips, and other educational endeavors, including lecturing to students here at home and to audiences around the world including in South Korea, China, Brazil…
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Jan 5, 2022
Wrapping Up 2021! Building OR360, Reflecting on Incredible Guests, Favorite Episodes, and Looking Forward!
Alex, Ben and Buddy wrap up 2021 and reflect on some of the highlights of the podcast thus far! With some of our favorite guests like Alek Skarlatos, Sara Gelser, Katherine Gehl, Tobias Read, Val Hoyle, Jessica Gomez, Dirk Vanderhart, The Knopp Family, and many many more, OR360 had nothing short of a successful foundation year, and the team is looking forward to all that is soon to come, including what is sure to be one of the most competitive gubernatorial races in Oregon history!
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Dec 29, 2021
Jimmy Crumpacker might not be who you think he is | EP 37
This may be our most surprising podcast episode to date. Folks may remember Jimmy Crumpacker as a candidate for Oregon's 2nd Congressional District in 2020, running as a staunchly conservative Republican (he had a popular ad that labeled him as a "Trumpbacker") to replace retiring Congressman Greg Walden. In a tight four-way race, he finished behind eventual winner Congressman Cliff Bentz, Knute Buehler, and Jason Atkinson. Now, Crumpacker is running again, this time in the new, ultra-competitive 5th Congressional District. He will face former Mayor Lori Chavez DeRemer in the primary (Congressman Kurt Schrader faces Jamie McLeod Skinner in the Democratic Primary). This episode starts with Jimmy's personal background, but veers quickly into a fascinating conversation on global geopolitics, including how the U.S. should handle China. This conversation on foreign affairs was the deepest of any we've had so far, and we really enjoyed it. We also talk about two of Jimmy's "celebrity donors"…
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Dec 22, 2021
Rep. Ron Noble talks public safety, COVID, bipartisanship--and why he’s running for Congress | EP 36
Ron Noble spent his career in law enforcement before he entered the political fray as a state representative in House District 24 (Yamhill County). Bolstered by a reputation as a reasonable, moderate legislator, he is now running for the new, ultra-competitive 6th Congressional District, stretching from eastern Washington County all the way down to Salem, including Yamhill county.
Noble earned headlines for leading, along with Rep. Janelle Bynum, on a suite of 25 bills that helped reform policing and the criminal justice system. In this episode, we talk about how Noble has built the relationships necessary to pass bipartisan bills through the deep-blue state legislature, his views on COVID, racial justice issues, health care policy, and why he's running for Congress.
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Dec 15, 2021
Minority Leader Tim Knopp talks his new role, Governor Brown‘s ratings, and the kicker | EP 35
Senator Tim Knopp is a long-time figure in Oregon GOP politics. Starting off his political career as an insurgent candidate, he quickly rose to the peak of power of GOP power including serving as Majority Leader in the House and as the new Minority Leader in the Senate. We talk everything from redistricting and "the kicker" to why Governor Brown's approval ratings are so low and if Knopp describes himself as a conservative or moderate. The episode also features some really interesting discussion on how Knopp survived in a district President Biden won by more than double figures and the playbook that other GOP candidates can run with. Finally and maybe most importantly, Alex is forever banned from telling jokes on the podcast after another one falls flat.
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Dec 8, 2021
Steve Novick has some big ideas (and great stories) | EP 34
Steve Novick is one of the most interesting figures in Oregon politics. He is funny, intelligent, and always entertaining. This was genuinely one of our most fun episodes to record and we hope you enjoy listening to it as much as we enjoyed making it. We cover a lot of ground: the time he dropped the "f bomb" on Uber exec. and Obama alum David Plouffe, his thoughts on what's wrong with Portland and how to fix it, property tax reform (but in an interesting and easy-to-understand way!), and what Democrats need to do to avoid a red wave in 2022. Novick is a former Portland City Commissioner who ran the city's Transportation Bureau, where he clashed with Uber and advanced a controversial but ultimately successful gas tax proposal. He became a popular figure in progressive circles for his grassroots primary campaign for the United States Senate in 2008, when he ran a playful, creative, and competitive campaign but narrowly lost in the primary to now-Senator Jeff Merkley. He also has a deep…
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Dec 1, 2021
Kerry McQuisten talks defying COVID mandates and ”back to basics” for Oregon | EP 33
Kerry McQuisten is the Mayor of Baker City and running as a Republican for Governor. She's a 7th generation Oregonian and has done everything from serving in public office to running a successful publishing company. McQuisten made national headlines for declaring Baker a "common sense sanctuary" from Governor Brown's COVID-19 measures and hopes to use the popularity of her policies with the conservative grassroots to ride through the Republican primary and into the governor's mansion. We talk about everything from COVID-19 mandates to homelessness to urban-rural divide and Critical Race Theory. Ben and McQuisten also do a little left vs. right philosophy when it comes to key policy differences so prepare for some nerdiness.
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Nov 24, 2021
Portland‘s Non-Profit ”Superstar” Cameron Whitten has a bright outlook for the future of Portland | EP 32
After a decade of activism, Cameron Whitten is fired up and optimistic about Portland's future! Cameron's political activism journey began on the streets during the 2011 occupy movement where he emerged as a key influencer of a hunger strike that lasted over a month. In the years that followed, Cameron ran for Portland city mayor and has been an active participant in the Black Lives Matter movement since its inception. During the height of Portland protests in the Summer of 2020, Cameron was able to raise over a million dollars in private cash donations, which were then redistributed to Portland residents in need. This laid the foundation for Cameron's non-profit work with Black Resilience Fund and Brown Hope they are conducting today. After receiving the Skidmore Prize, The Willamette Week recently referred to Cameron as Portland's Non-Profit "Superstar" and along with those efforts, Cameron most recently ran a tough campaign for OR Metro District 5, with a platform centered around af…
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Nov 17, 2021
Jessica Gomez wants to disrupt how Oregonians view the GOP | EP 31
Jessica Gomez is a business leader and running as a Republican candidate for governor. Born in New York, she relocated to the Southern Oregon with her family at a young age where she later experienced family issues and homelessness. Jessica overcame these tough circumstances and moved on to found and serve as CEO of a successful semiconductor company that now employs nearly 30 people. She also serves on the board of trustees of the Oregon Institute of Technology and a number of other Southern Oregon community organizations. Jessica identified as a Democrat until the mid-2010s but is running on the platform of self-described "moderate" Republican who believes she can unify the state (and electorate) with her pro-business and education reform agenda. We have a wide ranging conversation and discuss everything from critical race theory to semiconductors and geopolitical competition with China (Alex finally got his China question). We also talk about what it means for Jessica to be the only…
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Nov 10, 2021
New Jersey & Virginia, what does it mean for Oregon? EP 30
Close races, but results are in for Virginia and New Jersey elections.
Biden's infrastructure bill is making political and economic waves.
Vaccines for kids and boosters are rolling out.
What does this all mean for the 2022 Oregon election?
Find out on this episode of The Bridge.
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Nov 3, 2021
Oregon Public Broadcasting Political Journalist Dirk VanderHart | EP 29
Dirk VandertHart is one of Oregon's most prominent political journalists, working for OPB. Previously, he worked at the Portland Mercury, and before that worked at several local publications across the country. Many Oregon politicos will recognize his voice from radio or from the OPB Politics Now podcast.
He is an incredibly well-sourced and thoughtful reporter with many nuggets of wisdom and insight you're unlikely to hear from anyone else. In this episode, we discuss the state of local journalism in Oregon, and Dirk explains whether he's optimistic or pessimistic about the future of state politics reporting in Oregon. Dirk's also tells us about his path to Oregon (and whether he considers himself an Oregonian) and some of the things he's learned along the way. Then, we dive into the most important political topics of today: redistricting and the 2022 election.
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Oct 27, 2021
Ben Bowman is Running for OR House District 25! EP 28
As you may have heard, our co-host, Ben Bowman, has announced that he's running for the Oregon State House in the newly-created District 25 (Tigard and parts of Beaverton). In addition to hosting this podcast and writing a weekly politics newsletter for Oregon360, Ben is the chair of the Tigard-Tualatin School Board. Previously, he worked for former Rep. Margaret Doherty and then-Rep. Val Hoyle (now Labor Commissioner).
In this episode, Alex asks Ben about how campaigns work, what he hopes to do in the legislature, and how his run for office will impact The Bridge podcast.
If you want to learn more about Ben's campaign (and offer your support!), check out his website: www.BenForOregon.com
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Oct 20, 2021
Reagan Knopp on Drawing Maps & Oregon GOP Strategy | EP 27
Reagan Knopp is a conservative political consultant with over ten years of experience working in Oregon politics, campaigns, the state legislature, and more. He owns a small consulting firms and serves as the Editor in Chief of The Oregon Catalyst, a conservative blog covering Oregon politics. This episode might surprise you. Reagan walks us through what happened with redistricting, the future of the Oregon Republican Party, and what Oregon Republicans could learn from Stacey Abrams and Georgia Democrats. If you listen closely, you also might hear from Reagan's daughter in this episode!
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Oct 13, 2021
Amaury Vogel with the Oregon Values & Beliefs Center EP. 26
Amaury Vogel is the Associate Executive Director of the the Oregon Values & Beliefs Center (OVBC). OVBC is an innovative organization that provides public opinion research for free to policymakers, news organizations, and the general public. In this episode we talk about how polling works (and why sometimes it doesn't work), and we discuss what makes OVBC unique.
We also talk about some of OVBC's incredible research on everything from climate change to wildfires to homelessness to Greater Idaho.
Amaury worked for Volunteers of America – Oregon for 7 years providing direct service and managing programs. She worked with vulnerable populations in a variety of settings, including early childhood education, domestic violence, and the healthcare system. She earned an interdisciplinary studies degree with a primary focus in psychology and a secondary focus in social work.
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Oct 6, 2021
REBRAND! Welcome OR360 Media & ”The Bridge” EP 25
The Oregon Bridge is now The Bridge by OR360 Media! After 24 very successful episodes, the founders are sitting down in this episode to talk about the bright future of the podcast, of OR360, and demystify the suite of products that we will be offering moving forward including "The Way", "The Bridge", The Liftoff " and more!
Thank you all so much for your support of the podcast, we couldn't do this without you!
Be sure to follow and subscribe @OR360media on all major platforms!
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Sep 29, 2021
Behind the pod & news media with Producer Buddy Terry | EP 24
The Oregon Bridge goes "under the hood' in this episode with our own producer Buddy Terry.
Buddy was born in Portland and raised in rural St. Helens Oregon. Along with being a full time multimedia producer, Buddy is a graduate of Anthropology from Oregon State University, and is currently pursuing his Masters of Journalism and Documentary Film Production at the University of California at Berkeley.
In this episode, Buddy discloses a little bit about his own personal politics, sheds some light on the 21st century state of news media, and takes listeners behind the scenes a bit by breaking down the Oregon Bridge production process.
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Sep 22, 2021
Labor Commissioner Val Hoyle on political polarization and re-imagining apprenticeships | EP 23
Val Hoyle has been a leading figure in Oregon politics since she was appointed to the State House in 2010. She was quickly elected House Majority Leader by her colleagues, where she oversaw the political and campaign functions of the House Democrats. After a close second-place finish in the primary for Secretary of State in 2016, she was elected in 2018 as Oregon's 10th Commissioner of Labor and Industries, winning 17 of Oregon's 36 counties. She is frequently discussed as a potential candidate for Congress or Governor in the future.
This was a fun conversation. In this episode, Hoyle talks about her theory on why political polarization has worsened in America. She also talks about how the Bureau of Labor and Industries is re-imagining apprenticeships so more people can benefit, and how she has worked to change the culture of the state agency she leads. As a bonus, she also tells the story of the first time she met Ben (who worked for her when she was Majority Leader).
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Sep 15, 2021
GOP Candidate for Gov Bridget Barton opens up about addiction and her vision for OR | EP 22
Bridget Barton is currently the leading fundraiser in the GOP primary for Oregon governor. While she has never held public office, but she's been involved in Oregon politics for decades as a consultant and in volunteer positions. She has deep connections among GOP leaders and is considered one of the front runners for the Republican nomination.
In this episode she tells us her personal story about addiction and being in recovery. Her experience informs her policy proposals for addressing Oregon's addiction crisis, and she has some views that might surprise you. We also discuss homelessness, the challenges facing the city of Portland, COVID-19 vaccine mandates, and campaign finance reform.
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Sep 8, 2021
Katherine Gehl has an idea to improve our democracy: Final Five Voting | EP 21
In this interview with business leader, author, political theorist, and speaker of a popular TED talk Katherine Gehl, we talk about why our political system is "fixed" and incentivizing the wrong behavior from elected leaders. Gehl is a fascinating figure. She's a successful businesswoman who sold her high-tech food company for $250 million so she could focus full-time on her organization, the Institute For Political Innovation (IPI), and bringing Final Five voting to states across the country.
Final-Five Voting is the combination of (1) a single open primary election with the top 5 candidates advancing to the general election and (2) ranked-choice voting in the general election. A similar proposal passed in Alaska in 2020.
This kind of proposal could be coming to Oregon in 2024 via ballot measure, and it could fundamentally change Oregon's electoral system. In this episode, we explore Gehl's diagnosis of the problem (the "political industrial complex"), her solutions, and we talk th…
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Sep 1, 2021
Who is running for Governor? Will national GOP donors invest in OR? | EP 20
This week, Ben and Alex discuss some big changes happening with the podcast -- and the formation of Oregon360, a partnership with The Oregon Way and The Liftoff Newsletter. Subscribe for free, or become a founding member, at www.TheOregonWay.substack.com. We really appreciate your support!
Then, we dive into the biggest news stories of the week with everything you need to know about what's happening in Oregon politics, government, campaigns, and elections. We offer analysis on Speaker Tina Kotek's likely announcement she is running for Governor, Nick Kristof's residency memo, Val Hoyle's good week, and more. We also talk redistricting and whether national Republicans will invest cash in Oregon, the saga of the Newberg School Board, Proud Boys vs. Antifa, and the ever-controversial kicker.
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Aug 25, 2021
Dr. Bud Pierce: Is Oregon ready for a Republican governor? | EP 19
Dr. Bud Pierce is a familiar name in Oregon. A cancer doctor, he was the GOP nominee for Governor in 2016, losing to Governor Kate Brown by about 8 points. Six years later, with an open seat in 2022, Dr. Pierce is once again a leading contender for the GOP nomination -- and he thinks Oregon is ready to break the Republican losing streak. This interview spans Dr. Pierce's personal life, political views, and policy ideas.
He shares how he has coped with the recent loss of his wife, Selma, and what advice he has for others who are grieving. Dr. Pierce also offers his perspective on masks, vaccines, and other pandemic-related policy. He has an interesting reason for opposing mask mandates (it has to do with his goal of getting more people vaccinated). We talk about the GOP brand and the impact of Donald Trump, Portland's challenges with housing and homelessness, and his view on the Governor's role in education policy and how he would measure his success. We also talk about campaign financ…
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Aug 18, 2021
Commissioner Casey Kulla: Why a Scientist and Former Cannabis Farmer Wants to be Governor | EP 18
Casey Kulla has worn many hats: cannabis farmer, ecologist, entrepreneur, scientist, husband, father, and Yamhill County Commissioner. He's now added "gubernatorial candidate" to the resume as the first Democrat to officially launch a bid for Oregon Governor. He knows he has an unusual background for this kind of race and that his bid may be a long-shot in some folks' eyes, and in this interview he discusses why he believes he is the right candidate for this moment and how he plans to win.
We talk about how a proposed walking trail in Yamhill county has ignited the urban-rural divide and polarized the community (and what that tells about broader social/political forces). We discuss the decline of Oregon's timber industry and what Democrats should offer to folks living in economically depressed rural communities. He explains why he believes racial justice groups are not happy with the status quo leadership in Oregon, and what he would do differently. Finally, we ask about viability and…
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Aug 11, 2021
Multnomah County Commissioner Susheela Jayapal on Homelessness & Public Safety | Ep. 17
Susheela Jayapal is a Multnomah County Commissioner. She moved to the United States from India at the age of 16; a Portlander for the last 25 years, she also has deep roots in the Pacific Northwest (her sister is also in politics, Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal from Washington State). Her resume is extensive and impressive, including working as Adidas America's top lawyer and serving in leadership roles with many nonprofits and community-based organizations.
In this episode, Commissioner Jayapal discusses Portland's reputation, whether or not our existing homelessness solutions are at scale, and the intersection between racial justice and criminal justice. Also: an interesting discussion about why and how the identities of the five commissioners (all women, three women of color) matter -- plus, one thing she is doing to help close the urban-rural divide. It's an interesting conversation that ranges from deep policy analysis to personal stories about her family -- we hope you enjoy!
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Aug 4, 2021
A mind-blowing conversation with Sen. Sara Gelser | Ep. 16
There is no one else in the Oregon legislature like Sen. Sara Gelser. Over the last decade, she has been at the center of some of the most important issues in Oregon politics. She has received national recognition (e.g. Time Person of the Year during the #MeToo movement) -- and she occasionally criticizes her own party and leadership. She has long been a legislative warrior on child welfare issues in Oregon, and this episode includes some wild stories.
This is a fascinating conversation that covers a lot of ground: the significant power vested in the House Speaker and Senate President, culture change and sexual harassment in the legislature, the urban-rural divide, and the dramatic failures and meaningful successes of Oregon's child welfare system. Pro tip for this episode: at the 30-minute mark, the discussion shifts to child welfare, and it is both remarkable and important. We highly recommend you listen to the last segment of the episode.
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Jul 28, 2021
Can Republicans win again in Oregon? James Ball & Nick Prelosky | EP. 15
James Ball and Nick Prelosky are longtime Republicans...but they can't stand Donald Trump. Nick and James have a successful podcast called "The Rational Republican" that explores the state of their Party in Oregon and nationally. In this episode, Alex (a proud Trump admin alum) and Ben (a progressive Democrat) debate, argue, and even sometimes agree. It's a lively conversation.
Can Republicans win statewide in Oregon again? Maybe. We talk about what it would take. We also talk about Portland's homelessness/housing problem -- and what we could do about it. We touch on abortion, taxes, big tech, and more.
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Jul 14, 2021
BREAKING NEWS! Mayor Lori Chavez-DeRemer is running for congress | EP 14
Today, we've got an Oregon Bridge exclusive interview! Lori Chavez-DeRemer, a Republican former mayor of Happy Valley, just announced that she is challenging Rep. Kurt Schrader in Oregon's 5th Congressional District. In this interview, we ask her about why she's running -- and she drops some clues about the kind of campaign she will run against Rep. Schrader. We talk about the role President Joe Biden may play in the campaign, whether anything can get done in a broken Congress, and the prospect of a rematch against Rep. Janelle Bynum (if they both get drawn into a new congressional district after redistricting).
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Jul 7, 2021
Rep. Dacia Grayber - A Firefighter in the Legislature | EP 13.
Rep. Dacia Grayber is considered a rising star in Oregon politics. A professional firefighter, she was named by Willamette Week as a "Leader who Emerged" during the pandemic and she is one of the few true "labor Democrats" in the state legislature. In this interview, we talk about her unusual (and sometimes aggressive) social media use, whether Republicans in Oregon have a shot at winning more working class voters, reparations, and the prospect of another devastating wildfire season.
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Jun 16, 2021
Congressman Cliff Bentz | EP 12.
Congressman Cliff Bentz is the newest member of Oregon's congressional delegation, defeating Knute Buehler, Jason Atkinson, and eight other candidates in 2020 to replace longtime Rep. Greg Walden in Oregon's second congressional district (the state's only safe Republican seat). Previously, Bentz was a state legislator with a reputation for dealmaking (e.g. one of the architects of Oregon's $5.3 billion transportation package in 2017). In Congress, Bentz' voting record has been interesting: he voted against certifying Pennsylvania's election results, but in favor of establishing a commission to investigate the January 6 insurrection against Congress. In this episode, we discuss whether an infrastructure deal is possible in DC, how Congress compares to the legislature, and Oregon's urban-rural divide. We also talk about the pressure (or lack thereof) of party leadership in DC (Kevin McCarthy!) and his thoughts on the Greater Idaho movement.
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Jun 2, 2021
Mayor Stan Pulliam | GOP Candidate for Governor | EP. 11
Mayor Stan Pulliam of Sandy, Oregon has made national headlines (New York Times!) over his resistance to Oregon's response to the COVID-19 pandemic (especially Governor Kate Brown's executive orders). He is among the "top-tier" GOP candidates for Oregon Governor in 2022 and he's beginning to pick up steam with the grassroots. In this episode, he talks about being mayor of a small city, his vision for Oregon's pandemic recovery, and what Oregon's governor should and shouldn't do with regards to racial justice, homelessness, and public education. The conversation includes some animated sparring on the impact of COVID-19 on Oregonians and the role of government in emergency situations.
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May 19, 2021
Micah Meadowcroft & Nate Hochman | EP 10.
Micah Meadowcroft and Nate Hochman are two leading young conservative voices (millenial and zoomer, respectively) with national profiles, both with roots in the Pacific Northwest. This conversation starts by discussing what "conservatism" means for the Republican Party in the age of Trumpism and the nuanced differences between conservative factions. We also talk about the GOP's challenge with younger voters. We wrap with focus on the political environment in Oregon (and Portland!) and discuss what it will take for Republicans to win again.
Micah is the managing editor of the American Conservative magazine and previously served as the White house Liaison for the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Nate is an Associate Contributor for Young Voices and a 2021 Publius Fellow (joining the ranks of our co-host, Alex Titus). He has written for National Review, City Journal, and others.
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May 7, 2021
Oregon State Treasurer Tobias Read | EP 9
Oregon State Treasurer Tobias Read, the "de facto Chief Financial Officer" of the state, has served in both the state and federal governments. He worked for Larry Summers and Sheryl Sandberg during the Clinton Administration before returning to the Pacific Northwest (he graduated from Willamette University and then earned an MBA from the University of Washington). He served in the State House before being elected Treasurer.
In this episode, Treasurer Read discusses his policy accomplishments at Treasury (like the national-leading OregonSaves initiative) and his views on the evolution of Democratic Party/where he fits in. He also discusses his op-ed in The Oregonian, which criticized the State Legislature and Governor for the lack of strategic reopening plan for Oregon's economy post-pandemic, saying: "We need to stop reacting and start leading." Treasurer Read is often cited as a potential candidate for Governor in 2022 -- we ask him about that, too.
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Apr 28, 2021
OR GOP Chair Sen. Dallas Heard | EP.8
Senator Dallas Heard is a rising figure in Oregon Republican politics with a growing influence on the political right. He has deep ties in Southern Oregon, where he is a business owner and represents Roseburg in the state senate (he previously served in the state house). Recently, he was elected Chair of the Oregon Republican Party on a populist, Trump-aligned agenda. Senator Heard has gained national attention for ripping off his mask on the floor of the senate and sparring with colleagues. He answers questions about the "Citizens Against Tyranny" group that earned headlines for resisting COVID-19 public health rules, the future of the GOP in Oregon, and how the Party might compete at the statewide level in a post-Trump world. Senator Heard is considered a potential candidate for statewide office, including Oregon Governor, in 2022 and beyond.
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Apr 14, 2021
Matt Sutton | Bonus Episode! | EP 7. | Drug Policy Alliance
On election night 2020, NBC news declared: "America's war on drugs is finally ending." Buzzfeed wrote: "Drugs Won The 2020 Presidential Election." Across the United States, drug legalization and decriminalization efforts are winning -- from deep blue to ruby red states. With the overwhelming passage of Ballot Measure 110, Oregon solidified its position as a national leader on drug reform. Both proponents and opponents are looking to Oregon to see what the fallout will be. Matt Sutton of the Drug Policy Alliance joins the pod to explain Measure 110, discuss how Oregon fits into the national trends, and debate whether there is an emerging bipartisan realignment on drug issues.
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Apr 7, 2021
Jamie McLeod-Skinner | EP 6.
Jamie McLeod Skinner is one of the most interesting figures in Oregon politics. She gained prominence by challenging longtime GOP congressman Greg Walden in Oregon's deep-red second congressional district in 2018 -- and coming closer to beating him than any other candidate in his two decade career. She then ran a competitive race for Oregon Secretary of State in the 2020 Democratic Primary. Jamie has unique insight on Oregon's urban-rural divide, living in central Oregon and serving as interim city manager for Talent (a town recovering from devastating wildfires). In this episode, Jamie offers honest critiques of Oregon's political institutions and systems and talks about racial justice from a rural perspective.
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Mar 24, 2021
Rep. Christine Drazan | EP. 5
Rep. Christine Drazan is a state representative from rural Clackamas County, serving as the House Republican Leader (a position she was elected to after only 9 months in the legislature, a remarkable feat). She joined the pod to talk about the differences in the Oregon Legislature from when she worked as a staffer in the 1990s to today, sexual harassment in the workplace, and and Oregon's response to the pandemic. Rep. Drazan has a unique perspective on how the GOP could regain traction in Oregon in a post-Trump political landscape.
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Mar 9, 2021
Lori Chavez DeRemer | EP. 4
Lori Chavez-DeRemer is a former mayor of Happy Valley, a two-time Republican nominee for the state legislature, and a small business owner. She joins the Oregon Bridge to discuss former Rep. Knute Buehler's exodus from the Republican Party, why more mayors should run for higher office, race and "identity politics", and Governor Kate Brown's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Mar 4, 2021
Kevin Frazier | The Oregon Way | EP. 3
Kevin Frazier is a law student who has founded several nonprofits and ventures, including The Oregon Way, a SubStack newsletter that serves as a virtual op-ed page for Oregon politics. In this episode, Kevin talks about the place for moderates in our polarized political system, feeling disenfranchised from the Democratic Party, and the future of local journalism.
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Mar 4, 2021
Alek Skarlatos | EP. 2
In the 2020 election, 28-year-old Alek Skarlatos came closer to beating longtime Congressman Peter DeFazio (D-Eugene) than anyone else has in the last three decades. He earned international recognition for helping stop a terrorist attack in Paris, and went on to play himself in a Clint Eastwood-directed film about the event. In this episode, Alek talks about the January 6th Capitol Insurrection, big tech, Oregon's urban-rural divide, and the future of the GOP in Oregon.
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Mar 4, 2021
State Rep. Wlnsvey Campos | EP. 1
Rep. Wlnsvey Campos is the youngest woman ever elected to the Oregon State Legislature and is an emerging leader in the progressive wing of the Democratic Party in Oregon. Ben and Alex ask her about how she got endorsed by Bernie Sanders, her views on race in politics, and how she plans to advance a progressive agenda in the Oregon legislature (including some news on a new caucus and PAC to support like-minded candidates).
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Feb 18, 2021
The Bridge by OR360 | Hosted by Ben Bowman & Alex Titus
Welcome to The Oregon Bridge Podcast!
Hosted by Ben Bowman & Alex Titus!
Follow & Subscribe: @oregonbridgepod
This is a podcast about the future of Oregon politics, featuring guests from across the political spectrum. Subscribe to the podcast to hear from leaders across Oregon on the state of our political environment -- and what the future might look like.
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