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Karen Rippberger
Karen Rippberger (Democratic Party) ran for election to the Oregon House of Representatives to represent District 55. Rippberger lost in the general election on November 6, 2018.
Rippberger completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2018. Click here to read the survey answers.
In addition to running as a Democratic Party candidate, Rippberger cross-filed to also run with the Working Families Party in 2018.[1]
Elections
2018
General election
General election for Oregon House of Representatives District 55
Incumbent Mike McLane defeated Karen Rippberger in the general election for Oregon House of Representatives District 55 on November 6, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Mike McLane (R) | 73.2 | 23,832 |
Karen Rippberger (D)  | 26.7 | 8,694 | ||
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.1 | 37 | ||
| Total votes: 32,563 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Oregon House of Representatives District 55
Karen Rippberger advanced from the Democratic primary for Oregon House of Representatives District 55 on May 15, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Karen Rippberger | 100.0 | 2,847 | |
| Total votes: 2,847 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Republican primary election
Republican primary for Oregon House of Representatives District 55
Incumbent Mike McLane defeated Theresa Denham in the Republican primary for Oregon House of Representatives District 55 on May 15, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Mike McLane | 100.0 | 7,657 |
| Theresa Denham | 0.0 | 0 | ||
| Total votes: 7,657 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Campaign themes
2018
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Karen Rippberger completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Rippberger's responses.
What would be your top three priorities, if elected?
Education, affordable, accessible health care, homelessness/affordable housing
What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?
I'm personally passionate about turning 19-century-based school structures (with technology tacked on) into 21st Century schools. I'm also passionate about reducing the number of throw-away kids and giving the best love and care possible to the rest. Nationwide, the underaged lgbtq+ homeless rate is 40%. It is higher in Deschutes County. Some counties don't have that information available. Throw-away child homelessness is unconscionable.
Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?
I look up to my dad. He spoke truth to power and accepted truth from those who worked for him. His goal every day was to make the world a better place. He didn't care about great wealth or power.
What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?
Honesty, integrity, the ability to communicate effectively with constituents and co-workers, the ability to collaborate, share the spotlight, and work for people, not corporations.
What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?
I'm honest, work hard and effectively, collaborate, look for ways to make proposed laws fit my district better, and listen.
What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?
To represent the interests of a diverse set of constituents fairly and honestly to the legislative body and governor and get the best laws possible for my rural district.
What legacy would you like to leave?
That my district and it's constiuents are more prosperous, more invested in renewables and good stewardship, and are happier because of my time serving them.
What is your favorite thing in your home or apartment? Why?
My husband. He's my best friend and soul mate, and he keeps me grounded and informed.
What do you perceive to be your state’s greatest challenges over the next decade?
Taking care of PERS, fully funding schools and overhauling the educational system, and ending homelessness.
Do you believe it’s beneficial to build relationships with other legislators? Please explain your answer.
Absolutely. Everyone has their own strengths and areas of expertise. We should take advantage of our diversity.
Both sitting legislators and candidates for office hear many personal stories from the residents of their district. Is there a story that you’ve heard that you found particularly touching, memorable, or impactful?
The most impactful story I've heard was the story of a very intelligent student who barely graduated from high school due in part to boredom and in part that he'd gotten so behind in math several years before that he felt incapable of passing it. The teachers did their best, but the system failed him and so many others in Oregon. We have a graduation rate of about 70%.
Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.
See also
- State legislative elections, 2018
- Oregon House of Representatives elections, 2018
- Oregon House of Representatives
External links
Footnotes
