Midterm elections are more competitive than usual this cycle, and the issues are bigger as well. There are three credible candidates for mayor, each with different visions for the city – and similarly, voters will also be deciding three contested city council seats. With shifts in downtown, burgeoning housing and houseless issues, and the recent controversies over the budget, whoever wins will have a full plate.
At the county level, Pat Malone is seeking a second commissioner’s term, and running against him, largely on a platform of limiting county spending and borrowing, is William Kughn. This race comes as county officials are borrowing $33 million – the largest amount in county history – to build a new courthouse and district attorney’s offices. The county also plans to seek another $100 million from voters next year.
Likewise, Corvallisites will be deciding who represents them in both the Oregon House and Senate, just as the state prepares to move into economically challenging times and grapple with longstanding issues. Housing, higher education, healthcare, and transportation will see heavy lobbying next session, and outcomes from a warming climate will almost certainly be on the legislative docket as well.
DEBATES SCHEDULE
Four dates are scheduled for this year’s CitySpeak General Election Debate series. As always, generous time is allotted for questions from the public. Of course, you’re also welcome to just listen in on the conversation. Moderators are Corvallis Advocate Assistant Editor Emilie Ratcliff and City Club of Corvallis President Steven J. Schultz.
State Representative, 16th District – Tue., Oct. 11, 6 pm
Dan Rayfield Democrat, Working Families
Keith Lembke Republican
State Senate, 8th District – Tue., Oct. 11, 7 pm
Sara Gelser Blouin Democrat, Independent, Working Families
Valerie Draper Woldeit Republican
Benton County Commissioner – Thur., Oct. 13, 6 pm
Pat Malone, Democrat
William Kughn, Republican
Corvallis Mayor – Tue., Oct. 18, 6 pm
Charles Maughan
Andrew Struthers
Roen Hogg
City Council Ward 2 – Thur., Oct. 20, 6 pm
Christina Jancila
Briae Lewis
City Council Ward 3 – Thur., Oct, 20, 6:30 pm
Hyatt Lytle
Alec Turner
City Council Ward 9 – Thur., Oct. 20, 7 pm
Cliff Feldman
Tony Cadena
Nyssa Towsley
How to Access CitySpeak Forums
Live on The Advocate’s website or Facebook page, and other social media. If you can’t make the live event, the video will be available on The Advocate’s website and social media pages.
How to Get a Question Submitted
Viewers can submit questions before and during the forum. You can email cityspeak@corvallisadvocate.com, message us on social media, or just post your question on one of the social media posts of the event.
CitySpeak forums are free to the public, and are co-presented by City Club of Corvallis and The Corvallis Advocate. Sponsors include Peak Sports and First Alternative Natural Foods Co-op.