Voting in Oregon’s primary election wraps up May 16, and one highlighted race decides which of the two Republican contenders vying for the 4th District U.S. Congressional seat will run against the Democrat incumbent, Rep. Peter DeFazio, D-Springfield, who is running unopposed.
Linn County Commissioner John Lindsey is set against the Winston-Dillard Fire District Captain Wendell Robinson of Douglas County in the Republican race. The winner takes on DeFazio, who is campaigning for his eighth term of office.
The 4th District is the second largest in the state and encompasses Benton, Linn, Lane, Douglas, Coos and Curry counties, with a total population of 679,950. Ballots for all of the local and statewide races and measures must be turned in before 8 p.m., May 16, to be counted.
Lindsey, 33, said he decided to run because the current congressman tends to be more attentive to the needs of a vocal minority that is not representative of the entire district.
DeFazio “would rather represent extremists,” he said, “Eugene is not the only city in this district — there are several other cities and they all have pressing concerns.”
A resident of the Rockhill area between Lebanon and Brownsville, Lindsey said he would work to limit the involvement of the federal government in local issues, end U.S. involvement in U.N. peacekeeping missions and keep federal lands open for recreation without charging fees.
“Public land is not there to garner profits,” he said.
His government experience and new ideas are the two main reasons Lindsey gives as to why voters should choose him over his opponent in the Republican primary. Lindsey also said he wants the position more than his opponent does.
“I have more fire,” he said. “I have an itching, burning desire to do this.”
Robinson, who could not be reached for a personal comment, also believes the U.S. military should only be engaged when there is a threat to the nation’s vital interests, according to published campaign statements. He also stands for a limited federal government that doesn’t overstep its bounds.
The Tenmile resident has said he is committed to fight for the rights of the unborn and work to ban partial birth abortions. If elected, Robinson, 47, has pledged to limit firearm regulations and put God and prayer back in schools.
DeFazio was also not available for comment, but in a written statement said he looked “forward to continuing to be a voice for Oregonians in the U.S. Congress and ask for their support in November.”
Elected in 1986, the 52-year-old DeFazio has worked to support timber counties with federal investments, ensure better health care and economic security for the elderly and bring in federal funds to improve the district’s transportation networks. The congressman has also been an outspoken opponent of the World Trade Organization and defender of fair labor regulations.
Because DeFazio’s opponent in the general election has not been decided on, Melanie Strahon, DeFazio’s campaign manager, could not specifically comment on their expectations for November.
“We are confident, but at this point we don’t know who will actually come out on top,” she said, “We treat each campaign like the last and don’t take any opponent for granted.”