Art Robinson, the Republican candidate for Oregon’s 4th Congressional District, will be visiting the University to speak about issues concerning students. He will be on campus each weekday evening starting today, May 26, to June 4, from 7 to 10 p.m. in Pacific Hall room 11.
Robinson won the Republican nomination against competitor Jaynee Germond in the May 18 primary election and will face off against incumbent Democrat Peter DeFazio. He believes the visit to the University affords him the opportunity to have an open dialogue with students.
“I think this kind of thing could be very educational for everyone involved,” Robinson said. “I hope the press will not even know about it and stay away … I just want to talk to students on that campus.”
Robinson defined himself politically as “somewhere between a conservative and a libertarian,” and is “pro-free market.”
He hopes to break down false perceptions about conservatives on campus and about liberals in rural areas.
“There’s a perceived polarization of ideas,” Robinson said. “People in rural Oregon think the University is a block of crazy liberals, but I don’t believe that. I’m fairly conservative, I’d prefer to have a conversation with the brightest people and the youngest people. I’m not campaigning; it’ll just be me representing my ideas.”
The event is sponsored by the College Republicans.
Kenny Crabtree, a College Republicans spokesperson, agreed with Robinson that the meetings will be educational for all parties involved.
“We think its a good opportunity for students to have an authentic Q&A with a candidate, which doesn’t happen very often,” Crabtree said.
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