Staggenborg wins Green nomination for US Senate in Oregon
From The World in Southwestern Oregon:
A Coos Bay psychiatrist is challenging Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., for his seat in Congress.
Dr. Rick Staggenborg won the Pacific Green Party of Oregon’s nomination for the U.S. Senate at the party’s convention in Corvallis on Saturday.
Staggenborg is a member of Physicians for a National Health Program and previously worked at the Bandon Veterans Administration clinic. He has spent recent months stumping for a single-payer health care system and limits to corporate involvement in politics. He said he would propose a Constitutional amendment to overturn a recent Supreme Court decision allowing the same free speech rights to corporations as citizens.
Without corporate meddling in legislation, Staggenborg said a single-payer option would be on the table in a heartbeat.
‘Too many senators are dependent on corporations that are influenced by legislation that they work on,” he said. ‘I think Wyden falls into that category.”
The economy would improve from health care reform, because people would be more willing to start a business if they don’t have to worry about losing their insurance. He also argues that funding would be available for health reform if the Congress stops providing corporate welfare.
Staggenborg won the party’s nomination over Eugene’s Candy Neville. He’s also seeking nominations from the state’s progressive, working family and independent parties.
Although he is running on a third-party ticket, Staggenborg views himself as a legitimate contender.
‘I think people are angry with the major parties because Congress isn’t able to accomplish anything useful for the people,” he said.
Staggenborg, 51, has lived in Coos Bay since 1996 and is a native Oregonian. He previously worked with Coos County Mental Health and at Bay Area Hospital. He’s also a veteran of the U.S. Army medical corps and would seek a seat on the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee, he said.
Seven Republicans and three Democrats, including Wyden, have filed for the Senate primary race in May. The Democratic candidates are Pavel Goverman of Beaverton, Loren Hooker of Glendale and Wyden. The Republican candidates are G. Shane Dinkel of Redmond, Jim Huffman of Portland, Loren Later of Springfield, Robin Parker of Sunriver, Tom Stutzman of Monmouth, Keith Waldron of Bay City and Walter Woodland of Newberg.
Wyden is Oregon’s senior senator, having served in Washington, D.C., since 1996.
