Ben Westlund is using every method, including Website, to drum up support and gather petition signatures to make Oregon's November ballot.

Over 10,000 Oregonians have signed the petition for State Senator Ben Westlund (I-Bend), an independent candidate for governor who is gathering signatures to qualify for the November ballot, the campaign announced Wednesday. Westlund's Independence Day efforts collected signatures in 12 cities across Oregon, netting 1,731 in one day and bringing his total to 10,465. Westlund must submit just over 18,000 valid signatures by the end of August to qualify for the ballot. Petitions can be downloaded and progress can be tracked on the website http://www.benwestlund.com/. The announcement comes on the heels of a statewide advertising push by Westlund and, according to his campaign manager, demonstrates the campaign is building momentum even during a normally slow time for politics.

"All across Oregon, people are telling us that they are ready for a leader who can bring together people from both parties to solve the problems facing Oregon," said Stacey Dycus, campaign manager. "Ben Westlund has a track record of working across the aisle and as an independent he can put the needs of Oregonians above the priorities of a political party."

Westlund's politics defy party labels. He continues to lead the fight to reduce health care costs for individuals and businesses and believes that primary and preventative healthcare is a fundamental right.

Westlund is also a champion for fiscal reform whose plan would provide a tax cut for every Oregonian while creating long term financial stability for Oregon that would allow the state to continue to provide vital services. He received a 100% rating from AG-PAC for his efforts on behalf of farmers and ranchers and the Oregon League of Conservation Voters named him "Best Consensus Builder" of 2005.

A successful entrepreneur and agri-businessman, Westlund served as a Republican in the state legislature since 1997, and was elected first as state representative from rural Central Oregon. Westlund was appointed in the final days of the 2004 session to fill a vacancy in the Senate and was elected to the seat in November 2004, receiving both the Democrat and Republican nominations and over 80% of the votes cast.