Westlund would serve voters, not corporations

March 19, 2006

I attended the gubernatorial debate hosted by Willamette University on March 13 and am very excited that Sen. Ben Westlund is running his own race as an independent, as I saw his very reasonable and moderate approach to issues during the session while working for Legislative Committee Services.

Westlund was a bridge-builder as a Republican in a Democratic Senate, under the looming shadow of controlling Republican House leadership.

He emphasized in the debate that partisan politics have stood in the way of good public policy, which is exactly what I saw during the legislative session. This partisanship is fueled by money dished out by corporations and organizations looking out for themselves -- not the majority of Oregonians.

I am so impressed by Westlund for undertaking this task of running for governor without party support, even though his race will be very difficult without the endorsement and financial assistance of organizations like Associated Oregon Industries, Basic Rights Oregon or Right to Life.

If elected, Ben Westlund will be free to work for us, not tied to businesses, organizations, or political party lines. What a fabulous idea: a governor elected by the people!

-- Elizabeth Howe, Salem