Statesman Journal mini-questionnaire for 2016 Primary Election

Thank you for responding to this questionnaire.

Why this matters: The Statesman Journal Editorial Board will use this questionnaire in deciding whether and whom to endorse for the May 17 General Election. Reporters, who operate separately from the Editorial Board, may use these answers in writing stories. Your answers may be published on StatesmanJournal.com and/or in the print newspaper.

We also ask that you respond to every question, instead of simply attaching campaign materials, resumes, etc. If you wish, you are welcome to send us lists of supporters, a resume, etc., in addition to this questionnaire.

Please return the finished questionnaire to the Editorial Board as an email or an attached Word document to Salemed@StatesmanJournal.com. (Handwritten, pdf, WordPerfect or fax responses don’t work.)

Important: Please return the questionnaire by the end of the day April 14.

Questions? Contact Editorial Page Editor Dick Hughes, 503-399-6727, dhughes@StatesmanJournal.com, or Editorial Assistant Nancy Harrington, 503-399-6864, nharring@StatesmanJournal.com.

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Your name as listed on the ballot: Ben West

Age: 38

(If your age will change before May 31, please indicate your birthday. We want to ensure we use accurate ages in pre- and post-election editorials and news coverage.)

City/town of residence: Wilsonville

Political party, if this is a partisan office: Republican

Position you are seeking (name of position, district number, etc.): Representative of the Fifth Congressional District

Are you currently a full-time resident within the boundaries of the specific area (ward, district, county, etc.) that you seek to represent? Yes

Number of current, consecutive years living within the district you seek to represent: I am a fourth-generation Oregonian and have lived in Wilsonville since 2014.

Family (name of spouse/partner, number and ages of children if at home or number of grown children): Paul Rummell, 1 son Jay 10 years old

Your education (high school, trade, college, post-baccalaureate; indicate any degrees you earned):

City Christian High School, PortlandPCC, A.D. Science of ArtsPCC, Degree in Nursing (Expected June 2016)

If employed, current occupation, employer and job duties: Currently a nursing student with completion expected in June

Previous employers and when: Senior Mortgage Banker, Portland, OR

Military service and when: N/A

Volunteer/civic/religious service and when:

Please list all public offices to which you’ve been elected, and when: None

Please list any unsuccessful candidacies for public office, and when: None

Other prior political and government experience: None

If you are running for a position that involves a governing board in Oregon – such as city council, county board of commissioners, Legislature or State Land Board – how many meetings of that board have you attended in person during 2015 and 2016? How many have you watched online or on TV, if applicable? N/A

How the public can reach your campaign (remember that this information will be made public):

Mail address: P.O. Box 1847 Wilsonville, OR 97070

E-mail address: ben@benwestfororegon.com

Web site URL: https://www.BenWestforOregon.com

Phone: (503) 484-4901

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BenForOregon/

Other social media: https://twitter.com/BenWestforOR

Please limit your response to each of the following questions to about 75 words.

1. To an outsider, how would you describe the region you wish to represent -- geographically, economically, politically and socially?

Oregon is home to a host of people with diverse economic, political and social backgrounds. The Fifth Congressional District is a perfect representation of this diversity. With a near even mix of Republicans and Democrats, economically prosperous and depressed cities and towns, rural areas and urban sectors, our district deserves a Representative who will do more than tow the party line and offer empty talk about the unique challenges Oregonians face.

2. What are the positives and negatives of the district that you wish to represent?

I’m a fourth-generation Oregonian and the Fifth District is where I chose to start my family. The people of my district are honest, hard-working and open-minded. Unfortunately, our district is often neglected. Without the natural wealth of a port, a monopoly on lumber, or the economic bustle of a metropolis, we’re often forgotten in the commotion. Economic prosperity, job growth and booming business are all possible in Fifth District if we’re willing to fight for it, and I’m willing to take the fight to Washington.

3. What specific skills and experiences do you bring to the position, especially ones that would help turn those negatives into positives?

I’m an advocate. I had a successful career as a banker, but wanted to return my focus to service and become a registered nurse. Throughout my life I’ve been called to dedicate myself to the service of others. As a therapeutic foster provider, I saw to the clinical needs of vulnerable foster

children. I spent days and nights caring for those whom society deemed too difficult to love. In 2014, my partner and I adopted our son from a system that had deemed him unadoptable.

How we care for those who cannot provide for themselves is the clearest reflection of our character. I’ve dedicated my life to advocating for our state’s most vulnerable populations and I believe that I would be an ideal champion for the interests of our district.

4. What separates you from the other candidates?

The voter registration in this district is evenly split. It is the most competitive race in Oregon and one of the most competitive races in America. In order to win this seat, the Republican nominee will need to garner around 20,000 independent votes. My unique background and profile make me accessible to voters and allow me to market compassionate conservatism in a compelling way. No other candidate can appeal to independents like I can.

5. Please list five specific accomplishments that you have achieved in politics or civic affairs: Adopting our son Jay, fighting for school choice for foster children and advocating for the right for all people to be married.

6. How much will your Primary Election campaign cost? (be specific)

As a matter of practice, we do not publicly discuss our strategy but we will raise and spend the necessary resources to execute a success campaign.

7. Have you ever been convicted of a crime, been disciplined by a professional licensing board/organization or had an ethics violation filed against you? If so, please give the details.

No.

8. Have you ever filed for bankruptcy, been delinquent on your taxes or other major accounts, or been sued personally or professionally? If so, please give the details.

No.

9. What are the three most important issues you would address if elected, and how? (75 words for each issue)

A. Strengthening national security: For the last seven years, our nation's outlook on national security has gone from vigilance to negligence, and we have seen the consequences. President Obama has been asleep at the wheel. From the growth of ISIS to the outrageous Iran deal, from turmoil in Syria to the reemergence of cold war tensions, threats to the homeland and our allies have never been greater.

B. Reforming the Veterans Administration: Nearly 100,000 veterans live in CD5, but they

can’t access the VA. In 2014, 160 Oregon veterans committed suicide. Oregon is leaving $5 billion dollars per year on the table in earned veterans’ benefits. When I'm elected to Congress, overhauling the VA will be a top priority. I will work to make sure we keep the promises we make to the men and women who serve out country.

C. Sponsoring a Balanced Budget Amendment: A BBA would be one of the first pieces of legislation that I would sponsor as your Congressman. We all balance our checkbooks at home, and that responsibility doesn’t magically disappear once you go to Washington.

10. What do you see as other important issues?

The issues that face America are almost innumerable. From immigration to healthcare, to Social Security and Medicare, there is a lot that needs to be done in Washington and we need to send someone there who has an intense drive and a fresh perspective to fix them.

11. What online and/or print publications do you regularly read to keep abreast of issues in the district you seek to represent?

I read Oregon Live, The Statesman Journal and OPB; for local issues and for national issues The Heritage Foundation, Imprimis from Hillsdale College and NPR

12. Any skeletons in your closet or other potentially embarrassing information that you should disclose before it comes up in the campaign? Anything (including health issues) that would affect your ability to serve your full term? Any changes in your life situation that are contemplated or expected before the election or before you would take office?

None.