Rebecca Schaleger
Candidate for:
State Representative - HD 31
What drives me to seek an elected position
I didn’t think Donald Trump could win a second term. I told myself that the first time he won, people did not know who he truly was, and that his celebrity blinded people to his racism and corruption. But the second time, we knew. And he won despite us knowing. I was crushed.
Then I asked myself, “What are you going to do about it?” I reached out to the Democratic Party and offered to volunteer. I outlined my background and talents, which are few, but strong in the areas where I have them: one being public speaking. Then life got busy and I forgot I had reached out.
The party called me this spring and asked me to run in District 31. No Democrat had put in their name, as it is a largely Republican county and who wants to fight a losing battle? Me. I want to fight a losing battle. As a public defender, I do it all the time. And sometimes…I win.
I want to give people an option when they look at the ballot. I want to give the voters a voice from someone who is used to fighting for underdogs.
The first three priorities or issues I want to tackle
Data Centers
Data centers are sucking up energy, raising the cost of utilities beyond what the average person can afford. They are impacting the environment and creating health hazards. The owners are not paying their fair share in taxes. They offer little in the way of long-term stable jobs for our counties or state. We need studies on their impact, and legislation ensuring their owners pay additional taxes.
Homelessness Crisis
I support helping people who are down and out. I believe most Democrats do. But the homeless camps create eyesores and cause an increase in petty crimes. People are in these camps for a variety of reasons: mental health, substance abuse, a criminal history that prevents them from getting a decent job. Until we address the underlying causes, the crisis will only get worse.
Campaign Finance Reform
Citizen’s United made corporations into people. Since that terrible ruling from SCOTUS, corporations have been buying candidates left and right. Legislation to address this was previously passed in Oregon’s house; however, the legislators did not create a bill that can actually be enforced. I will make it a priority to ensure this bill is fixed and passed.
The experiences and insights I will bring to the office
I have been a lawyer for 27 years. I know, I know, everyone hates lawyers. But a lawyer knows how to read legislation. A lawyer should know how to put a bill together that can actually be implemented. A lawyer with experience can read a proposed bill and recognize problems that may come when enforcement of said bill needs to happen.
Lawyers are not everyone’s favorite people – until you need one. And then you want one with TEETH. That is where I come in. I spent nine years in the District Attorney’s office prosecuting cases and then, when I needed flexibility due to my four small children, left and opened my own practice. Since then, I have been defending the poor in everything from criminal cases, to cases where the Department of Human Services has taken someone’s children.
People deserve a voice in court. Should I be a representative in the legislature, my votes will not be based on my personal thoughts or beliefs. Representing others’ needs and ideas has been a lifelong passion. I have built my entire career on it.
What being a Democrat in Multnomah County means to me
Multnomah County is a melting pot of different religions, cultures, colors, sexual identity, and so many different ideas. There is no ‘one size fits all’ in this county, which is huge and encompasses both big city and rural life constituents. Whoever represents people in Multnomah County will need to understand that, and be willing to have open and honest conversations with all types of people, with all types of thoughts and beliefs.
The Democratic Party is aligned with the values I hold dear: freedom of choice and bodily autonomy; helping others rise up rather than pushing them down; accepting different cultures and ideas into the fold; and holding the rich accountable for their fair share of taxes and other costs.