Nik Heuertz is a small business owner from Oregon and a Democratic candidate for Congress in the state's second congressional district. He is running in a five-way primary to replace outgoing Republican Rep. Greg Walden, and I recently spoke with him about his candidacy and what issues he wants to address should he get elected.
What inspired you to run for Congress in the first place?
"As a small business owner of twenty years, and growing up on a small farm, I saw first hand the damage monopolies and duopolies were doing to the average working person and truly small business and farmers. Huge corporations have basically taken over our government and our economy. I want to help take it back for the people. "
What is your main strategy to win?
"I believe that people are hungry for bold, straight forward talk about the issues that affect us all on a personal level. If we talk without buzz words and personalities, our basic needs are the same. People of every stripe want big money out of politics so that we can legislate the will of the people, not special interest corporate donors. Everyone wants affordable medical care and good paying, sustainable jobs through investing in sustainable infrastructure. We need to motivate and educate voters to turn out in record numbers and then make the systemic changes that we need. "
You're running in a crowded Democratic primary, including against Chris Vaughn, another progressive. How do you make the case to Democratic voters in your district that you're the best candidate?
"I feel that my growing up on a small farm in the district and owning my own small business in the district give me the unique experience. I applaud Chris's devotion to working people. We do share much of the same platform. I believe that my experience combined with my more detailed plan for systemic change will win the day. I have a 30 point proposal on my website to not only look out for working people, but also to make the systemic changes needed in order to make that doable."
Your district is the reddest in your home state. It hasn't been represented by a Democrat since the early 1980s, and it voted for Trump by over 20 points in 2016. If you make it to the general election, how do you plan on winning over these voters?
"Again, I feel that if we talk about the issues that matter to all folks in the district we can motivate new voters and get some of the disenfranchised Republican voters to cross over. I make a point that we cannot leave anyone behind in the new economy. Farmers, loggers, oil workers, service workers...anyone who loses their job due to technology or a changing economy need free training and first dibs at newly created sustainable jobs."
Your platform includes Medicare For All, a Green New Deal, democracy reform, a $15 minimum wage, and free college. Among all your policies, which one is the most important to you?
"They are all important. We need systemic change. Getting big money out of politics has to be top priority, because once we get that, the other things should more easily fall into place.
"But, we must act simultaneously, people are hurting...they need a living wage, affordable health care...and none of it matters if we don't save our earth as we know it. The Green New deal includes many of the pieces of the puzzle. "
Speaking of which, will you pledge to cosponsor the We the People Amendment (introduced in the House this session as H.J.Res.48) that would declare that corporations are not people, and that money is not speech?
"Yes."
One issue that I've recently started to prioritize is some form of a direct democracy at a national level. Would you support that (you don't need to worry about the details right now, just whether or not you're in favor of some form of it)?
"I am for moving closer to a Direct Democracy. I support the National Popular Vote Initiative as one option to work around the EC [Electoral College]."
Another candidate that I've interviewed, Daniel Kilgore, running for Congress in Ohio, had a fantastic idea for a bill that I wanted to get your opinion on -- the Aaron Burr: Public Servants Trust Act -- which he says is "designed to fine those taking lobbyist funds before a vote or insider trading." What do you say to that? Would you support it in Congress?
"I would have to see the details, but the intent seems right. "
Anything you'd like to add?
"We have discussed my core issues: Single Payer Health Care, Green New Deal, and Big $ out of politics. My website has outlines for my proposals in over 25 other areas. "
Thank you so much to Nik for this interview! If you want to learn more about him, check out his website, and if you want to vote for him, Oregon's primary is scheduled for May 19; here is voting information. Thank you so much for reading, and take care!
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