KOIN 6 News contacted candidates who are planning to run for Oregon governor in 2022, asking them to respond to these three questions:

  • Why are you running for governor? 
  • In your opinion, what are the top three issues Oregon is facing right now? 
  • What is something you believe is going right in Oregon and how would you like to continue to build on it?

Patrick Starnes is running as a Democrat. Here are his responses:

Why are you running for governor?

I am the only candidate in the race offering systemic change in the first 100 days in office by way of campaign finance limits which is “the” issue clouding all others in Salem.  I am the only candidate in the race leading by example on this by modeling CFR in my campaign.  And, I am the only candidate offering a real and bold solution on one of the biggest issues: healthcare and homelessness.  If I am not in the race, who will stand up for regular working Oregonians like Mary and me?   As you’ve seen so far in the campaign finance transactions, I am the only major candidate who isn’t beholden to outside special or corporate interests.  I am accepting no corporate money nor PAC monies with a $1,000 limit per individual.

In your opinion, what are the top three issues Oregon is facing right now?

Campaign finance reform CFR, universal health care & homelessness, wildfires & climate chaos

What is something you believe is going right in Oregon and how would you like to continue to build on it?

Our environment is still a treasure in Oregon but for how long will it be is the question. After getting big money out of politics, I plan to make us even more sustainable and green.  With Oregon’s Green New Deal many high paying jobs will be created across the state including our rural areas.

Editor’s Note: Responses for a different Oregon gubernatorial hopeful were accidentally included into the first published version of this story. It has since been corrected to show Patrick Starnes’ responses. We regret the error.

KOIN 6 News made minor adjustments to spelling, capitalization and punctuation in the responses the gubernatorial candidates submitted.