Q&A: Republican candidates for Congressional District 3 answer our questions

Three Republicans are among the 10 candidates running to replace Rep. Earl Blumenauer, the retiring longtime representative of Oregon’s Congressional District 3.

The district stretches from Portland to the east and includes most of Multnomah County, parts of Clackamas County along with Hood River County. Democrats represent 44% of registered voters in the district, and Republicans represent 14%, according to the latest voter registration numbers published by the Secretary of State’s Office. Unaffiliated voters account for 36%, and many of them vote for Democrats. That means that whoever wins the Democratic primary is likely to represent the district in Congress for the next two years.

The Capital Chronicle profiled the top three Democratic candidates for the district – Maxine Dexter, Susheela Jayapal and Eddy Morales – and published answers to questions from them and the other Democrats in the race: Ricardo Barajas, Nolan Bylenga, Michael Jonas and Rachel Rand.

On the Republican side, three people are running: Gary Dye, Joann Harbour and Teresa Orwig. We sent the same questionnaire to them, and Dye and Orwig responded. 

Here are their answers:

Q. Why are you running to represent Congressional District 3?

Dye:

I am well-set in my retirement, but my kids are in public high school, and I want the best for them and their futures.  I want the best for everyone’s future, and I believe I have unique solutions to help make that happen.

Orwig:

I am running for Congress in Oregon’s 3rd District to be a voice for everyday Oregonians and bring their concerns to Washington. As a single mother and an average blue collar middle-class American, I understand the struggles faced by hardworking families in our district. I believe it’s time for a change in Washington – to have representatives who prioritize the needs of their constituents over political agendas. My campaign is centered on putting people first, ensuring that every voice is heard, and fighting for better health care, education, job opportunities, safety and infrastructure investment tailored to the unique needs of all Oregonians. 

I am committed to accountability, transparency, and integrity in government. Rejecting special interest money, I am relying on grassroots support to bring common-sense solutions to the forefront. By amplifying the voices of all Oregonians, I aim to build a stronger, safer, more prosperous Oregon. Together, we can create positive change, where everyone has a seat at the table and the opportunity to thrive. 

Q. What in your background makes you the best candidate for this job?

Orwig:

As a proud Oregonian, mother, health care worker, and woman of faith, I embody the values and priorities of our community. Born and raised in Oregon, I intimately understand the challenges facing our state from access to affordable health care, inflation, homelessness, rising crime and education. My dedication to serving others, honed through years of compassionate care as a health care worker, fuels my commitment to being a voice for the people. With common sense and integrity, I will advocate for policies that prioritize the well-being of every Oregonian. 

I believe in listening to the concerns of everyday citizens and championing their needs in Congress. My background instills in me a deep sense of responsibility to represent the diverse voices of our community with empathy, understanding and fairness. In Congress, I will work tirelessly to ensure that Oregonians have access to quality health care, economic prosperity, and a brighter future for generations to come. Together, let’s build a stronger Oregon where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.

Dye:

My mother was born and raised in the Soviet Union and was thrown in a concentration camp by the Nazis; my father was 10th of 10 children raised in (the) Dust Bowl (in) Oklahoma during the Great Depression, and drew a pension from the Baker’s Union. I was born at (Legacy) Emanuel Hospital in Portland, and went to David Douglas schools, graduating at Oregon State University in chemical engineering.  I have an MBA from Pepperdine University, and have attended law school, as well as having attained bachelor degrees in mathematics and physics.  I had a career in oil refining (Anacortes, Wash., and Los Angeles), worked for over four years in Saudi Arabia, technical sales (Houston), and gas measurement Engineer/Director for a local utility.  My career as an engineer was terminated when I whistleblew on my company, and the corrupt state government turned its back on me.  I was convicted (subsequently expunged) of a Class A felony (Manufacture and Distribution of a Controlled Substance (marijuana)) while I was working as an engineer for Aramco in Saudi Arabia.  My family was victimized by the Clackamas Town Center gunman.  I am, regrettably, divorced.

I believe my positions are coincidentally populist, with innovative solutions to our problems, and I would serve my constituents well, getting them what they want rather than what politicians and bureaucrats want.  Individuals are now at war with our government, and I intend to fight and win that war.

Q. What are the top three issues you plan to focus on and why?

Dye: 

Keep us out of World War III. Stop the warmongering. Bring ALL of our troops home. Minimize our standing army because it is not needed except to engage in foreign wars. Defend North America only, lending our military to allies under attack, only. Weapons sales should be determined by stockholders of weapons manufacturers.

Break diplomatic relations with any country that does not have a democratically elected government. Withdraw from the U.N. until all member governments are democratically elected. Close all embassies (they’re obsolete), suspend all foreign aid (we’re bankrupt).

Reform our government: 12-year federal term limits; reduce government 10%/year until deficit is eliminated; convert Social Security Trust Fund to sovereign wealth fund; convert government pensions to 401-K; no pensions for politicians; fire all directors, managers, and supervisors within the FBI, CIA, and State department. Start eliminating departments where government has no business being there.

Orwig:

The economy, crime and immigration are critical issues that resonate strongly with Republican constituents in Oregon’s 3rd Congressional District. 

Economy: A robust economy is essential for the prosperity of our district and nation. Accountability in spending is essential. It is critical to prioritize policies that promote free-market principles, lower taxes, and reduce burdensome regulations to spur job creation and economic growth. By fostering an environment conducive to business expansion and investment, we can provide more opportunities for all constituents to 

thrive. A strong economy not only improves individual livelihoods but also strengthens our communities and ensures a brighter future for generations to come. 

Crime: Ensuring public safety is a fundamental responsibility of the government. It is important for Oregonians to prioritize law enforcement reforms that support our police officers, and uphold the rule of law, safeguarding the rights of citizens and law enforcement alike. By enacting laws that make crime a crime and addressing root causes such as drug abuse and mental health issues, we can create safer neighborhoods and protect our families. Strengthening law and order fosters a sense of security and stability, allowing businesses to flourish and communities to prosper. 

Immigration: Addressing immigration concerns is crucial for safeguarding our borders, national security, and rule of law. Merit-based immigration that selects individuals based on skills, education and potential contributions to our economy is important to assure national security. Essential to enact policies to assure asylum to existing non-criminal immigrants, protect current programs such as DACA.

Q. You are likely to serve in a divided House. How do you plan to approach that?

Orwig:

Our government has never been more divided. My foremost commitment will always be to the people of District 3. I will prioritize listening to their concerns, understanding their needs and advocating fiercely on their behalf in Congress. Every decision I make will be guided by how it impacts the lives and well-being of those I represent. I will remain steadfast in upholding the wishes and priorities of Oregonians. This means staying true to the values they hold dear and consistently advocating for policies that align with their interests, regardless of partisan pressures or political trends. I will be transparent about my positions and actions, keeping constituents informed and engaged every step of the way. I will actively seek opportunities for collaboration, compromise and building bridges across party lines to advance meaningful legislation that addresses the pressing issues facing our district and our nation.

Dye:

I will not agree with anything of any party that I don’t believe in.  I will not compromise.  Too much compromise has put us well down the road to totalitarianism

Q. What are three goals you would like to accomplish by the end of your term?

Dye:

Establishment of a universal transaction tax with a constant rate of taxation on anything and everything and eliminating all other federal taxation, coupled with universal basic income for everyone.

Privatize U.S. citizenship as a property right of the individual, letting US citizens sell their citizenship.  Government could sell or subsidize citizenships, also.  Eliminate al other forms of immigration (close the border).

Break diplomatic relations with any country that does not have a democratically elected government.  Withdraw from the UN until all member governments are democratically elected.  Close all embassies (they’re obsolete), suspend all foreign aid (we’re bankrupt).  Stop the warmongering.  Bring all troops home.  Minimize our standing army.  Defend North America only, lending our military to allies under attack, only.  Weapons sales determined by stockholders of weapons manufacturers.

Orwig:

By the end of my congressional term of service, my primary goals revolve around fostering economic prosperity, ensuring community safety by addressing crime and implementing sensible immigration policies that positively impact Oregonians lives while safeguarding our uniqueness and values foster equality for all persons. 

Place emphasis on prosperity to bolster the economic well-being of the middle class by advocating for policies that promote job growth, wage increases and financial security. This includes supporting small businesses through tax incentives and access to capital, investing in workforce development programs to provide training and education opportunities and advocating for fair trade policies that protect American jobs and industries. By empowering the middle class, we can strengthen our economy from the ground up and create a more equitable society. 

I am 100% committed to addressing crime and enhancing public safety within our communities. This involves supporting law enforcement agencies with the resources they need to combat crime effectively, implementing evidence-based crime prevention strategies, and investing in programs that address root causes such as poverty, addiction, and mental health issues. Allocate adequate resources for law enforcement training, mental health resources. By working collaboratively with local law enforcement, community organizations, and residents, we can create safer neighborhoods where families feel secure and thrive. 

Sensible immigration policies: I will work towards implementing sensible immigration policies that balance national security with compassion and respect for human rights. This includes securing our borders through smart technology and targeted enforcement measures, reforming our immigration system to streamline legal pathways for skilled workers and families, and  providing a fair and efficient process for undocumented immigrants already contributing to our communities to earn legal status.