Oregon House of Representatives District 21 candidate surveys, 2022

Elections in Oregon, 2022

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This article shows responses from candidates in the 2022 election for Oregon House of Representatives District 21 who completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey.

• Click here to see candidates and election results.
• Click here to see Candidate Connection survey responses.

Candidates and election results

General election

General election for Oregon House of Representatives District 21

Kevin Mannix defeated Ramiro Navarro Jr. and Michael Morrow in the general election for Oregon House of Representatives District 21 on November 8, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Kevin Mannix (R)	51.4	13,115
		Ramiro Navarro Jr. (D / Working Families Party)	45.6	11,646
		Michael Morrow (L)	2.9	738
		Other/Write-in votes	0.1	26

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 25,525
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey responses

Ballotpedia asks all federal, state, and local candidates to complete a survey and share what motivates them on political and personal levels. The section below shows responses from candidates in this race who completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

Survey responses from candidates in this race

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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.

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Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

Michael Morrow (L)

If there is no victim, there is no crime. Drug possession should not be a crime for example. This would also reduce interaction with police, reducing the possibility of abuse of power.

The State should not be an involuntary HOA. People should be able to choose their business, their profession or what they put in their bodies. Less regulation and less governmental direction.

The current two party system has no incentive to solve problems. They need to campaign for, or against, an issue to drive their voters. It's time for a different voice that wants to let you live your best life.

Ramiro Navarro Jr. (Democratic, Working Families)

Veteran Services: Oregon Veterans struggle with suicide, homelessness and hunger at a disproportionate rate. We need to be doing more so our Veterans have access to their benefits and mental health resources so they can enjoy the life they've fought for.

Education: Students and Teachers are struggling in our school system that is severely underfunded. Let's get education, including pre-k childcare, back on track so youth can have the education they need and teachers can have the resources they need to provide it.

Environment: We've all seen the impacts of climate change and it's past time that we get serious about reducing our carbon footprint by advocating for renewable energy jobs and transportation.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Michael Morrow (L)

I am passionate about getting government out of the way of private solutions to social issues. We should be able to choose how we spend our money, what causes are worth our efforts, and what morality that we choose to personally follow. My career focus is in the non-profit sector, my life journey is to serve others and my political view is that less is more.

Ramiro Navarro Jr. (Democratic, Working Families)

All three that I previously mentioned. Being a Veteran who understands first-hand how we fail our troops returning home in Oregon, I know more can be done. Being the son of a Salem-Keizer School Teacher and a student in the Salem-Keizer Public School System, I know how teachers are struggling and how students are calling for help. Being a mechanic in the military I understand the impact transportation has on our environment and how switching over to environmentally friendly modes of transportation and energy could help us build a cleaner Oregon where residents can breathe non-toxic air and drink non-toxic water.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

Ramiro Navarro Jr. (Democratic, Working Families)

My mother. She was a single mom with 6 children on a teacher's salary and somehow still managed to provide for us. She also would never turn someone away who asked for help, which is a value instilled in all 6 of us that we continue to practice and pass on to our children to this day.

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

Michael Morrow (L)

Two films would inform people about my individual beliefs. Mr. Smith Goes to Washington and It's a Wonderful Life. Less political backroom dealing and power plays, more individual service and caring.

Ramiro Navarro Jr. (Democratic, Working Families)

The Alchemist by Paul Coelho. It's a story about a young shepherd who goes off on a journey in pursuit of his dreams guided by his heart. A great book that helped shaped my philosophy around pursuing my goals, especially when it's for all the right reasons.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Ramiro Navarro Jr. (Democratic, Working Families)

I believe firmly in Abraham Lincoln's words that the government should be "...of the people, by the people, and for the people." An important characteristic of an elected official should likewise be that they are of the people, meaning that they are involved in their community and engage with their community. I am not one who wishes to be representing my community from an ivory tower and I think most would agree that is an important characteristic in a leader/elected official.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

Ramiro Navarro Jr. (Democratic, Working Families)

I'm very community-oriented. I believe being engaged in the community helps to hear what issues are really impacting the people and that helps understand how to advocate effectively from first-hand experience. Living by the mantra that it takes a village, I do all I can to improve that village.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

Ramiro Navarro Jr. (Democratic, Working Families)

The core responsibilities of someone elected to this office are to set public policy, adopt the state's budget, review administrative rules and enact laws.

What legacy would you like to leave?

Michael Morrow (L)

I hope my legacy will be the lives that I personally impacted. I want to help people, small acts or big projects all work to improve society.

Ramiro Navarro Jr. (Democratic, Working Families)

I'd like to leave a legacy where people have clean drinking water and clean air to breathe.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

Ramiro Navarro Jr. (Democratic, Working Families)

9/11. I was a 6th grader at Claggett Creek Middle School the first year it was built and remember how frozen the class was as we watched the second plane hit on the T.V. in homeroom.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

Michael Morrow (L)

My first job was as a tutor while I was in high school. I helped many of my fellow students with math, science and social studies. The joy of seeing a struggling student light up as they gain understanding of a difficult subject is so fulfilling.

Ramiro Navarro Jr. (Democratic, Working Families)

My first official job was working right here in Keizer at the McDonalds on River Rd. I worked there for 9 months at 17 because my grandmother had broken her foot and couldn't work so I helped pay rent.

What is your favorite book? Why?

Ramiro Navarro Jr. (Democratic, Working Families)

The Alchemist by Paul Coelho. It really shaped my philosophy around following my dreams and being true to myself.

If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?

Ramiro Navarro Jr. (Democratic, Working Families)

Batman. The Dark Knight. The World's Greatest Detective. The Caped Crusader. Or Batsy, if you're a Joker fan...

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

Ramiro Navarro Jr. (Democratic, Working Families)

Whatever song I'm sure my daughter is going to sing a million times today

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

Ramiro Navarro Jr. (Democratic, Working Families)

My mental health. I struggled with undiagnosed PTSD returning from combat and turned to drugs and alcohol to cope with my symptoms. Now that I have a diagnosis, I get counseling through the V.A., Peer Support through other Veteran Service Organizations and my new addiction is kayaking on the Willamette or otherwise enjoying the therapeutic benefits of time in nature.

What do you believe is the ideal relationship between the governor and state legislature?

Michael Morrow (L)

There should be cooperation and the willingness to understand each others' positions. Having differing views however will keep government overreach from happening as only the essential issues will be voted on.

Ramiro Navarro Jr. (Democratic, Working Families)

I believe an ideal relationship is one of mutual respect where the legislature can rely on the governor and the governor can rely on the legislature to be good co-equal branches of government. This balance of power can lean too far in one direction where the Governor vetoes laws and it can lean in the other direction where the Senate refuses to confirm appointments. Basically, an ideal relationship is one that is cohesive.

What do you perceive to be your state's greatest challenges over the next decade?

Michael Morrow (L)

Oregon needs to look on building the economy through individual efforts. We should find a way to preserve and market our environmental beauty to gain tourist traffic and keep our state green for future generations.

Ramiro Navarro Jr. (Democratic, Working Families)

Climate change and our environmental impact. Here in Salem, the heat waves have increased the algae blooms in the drinking water system which can be poisonous. Private wells nearby are testing high in arsenic content which some attribute to fertilizers and industrial waste. To this day residents are afraid of getting into the Willamette River because they believe it to be poisoned beyond repair due to a history of toxic dumping. The heatwaves have also dried the land which leads to destructive wildfires. These climate and environmental issues are going to continue to get worse if we continue failing to effectively address them.

What are the benefits and drawbacks of a unicameral state legislature, in your opinion?

Ramiro Navarro Jr. (Democratic, Working Families)

Oregon doesn't have a unicameral state legislature.

Do you believe that it’s beneficial for state legislators to have previous experience in government or politics?

Michael Morrow (L)

No, I don't believe that previous experience is good for government. We were built on citizen legislatures, so having the day to day people making decisions, not professional politicians, should be the standard we all strive for.

Ramiro Navarro Jr. (Democratic, Working Families)

I believe it's beneficial. Being on the board of the Salem Area Mass Transit District has given me the opportunity to be a representative of my community while getting familiar with Roberts Rules of Order and being on the Senate Bill 973 IMPACTS committee has given me the opportunity to know other representatives and where they are willing to compromise. However, I feel career politicians are not beneficial in government as some tend to be too rich to empathize with the real issues impacting their constituencies.

Do you believe it’s beneficial to build relationships with other legislators? Please explain your answer.

Ramiro Navarro Jr. (Democratic, Working Families)

Yes. Having good working relationships can be the difference between getting your constituents clean drinking water or them needing to treat it daily for the foreseeable future. I try to build good working relationships early on because you never know when you might need help with something vital and it's important to know you have people you can rely on to get things done for your community.

What process do you favor for redistricting?

Michael Morrow (L)

Citizen panels should be used, not the politicians. Also, it needs to be set as size areas, and should eliminate gerrymandering of districts.

Ramiro Navarro Jr. (Democratic, Working Families)

I support Oregon's process of a bipartisan redistricting commission

If you are not a current legislator, are there certain committees that you would want to be a part of?

Ramiro Navarro Jr. (Democratic, Working Families)

Veterans and Emergency Management

Education Business and Labor Agriculture, Land Use and Water and

Environmental and Natural Resources

If you are a current legislator, what appealed to you about your current committees?

Ramiro Navarro Jr. (Democratic, Working Families)

N/A

Is there a particular legislator, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after?

Ramiro Navarro Jr. (Democratic, Working Families)

Representative Paul Evans. I recall overhearing a conversation when I attended a hearing on a Veterans Memorial and advocates from the VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars) were there. Rep. Evans showed up and a member from the VFW shouted "YOU CAME! I knew you would...) I would want to model myself after Rep. Evans who shows up for his constituents in a way that elicits excitement but not surprise. Rep. Evans is also the voice of reason on many occasions that a lot of people respect him for. They might not have voted for him but they respect his stance on many issues and that is a sign of a great leader when you can advocate for the best interests of your district as a whole regardless of whether they voted for you or not.

Are you interested in running for a different political office (for example, the U.S. Congress or governor) in the future?

Ramiro Navarro Jr. (Democratic, Working Families)

No

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?

Ramiro Navarro Jr. (Democratic, Working Families)

There's many. But if I had to choose one it would be that of 16-year-old McNary High School student Ishaq Saleem who was shot and killed in Salem. When his Representative was contacted about what could be done to prevent more shootings, the Representative responded with, "Not in my District. Not my problem." It was deeply disturbing to see this elected official, my elected official, refused to care about a child whose parents were his constituents simply because he was killed a few streets outside of his District. That forever changed my mindset of not wanting anything to do with politics.

Tell us your favorite joke.

Ramiro Navarro Jr. (Democratic, Working Families)

Why did the egg cross the road??? Because he was chicken (Just heard that one from my 7-year-old).

Should the legislature oversee or grant the use of emergency powers?

Michael Morrow (L)

The legislatures should oversee the use of emergency powers that last longer than two weeks. If it is longer than two weeks, is it really an emergency? The people should have a voice is those decisions.

Ramiro Navarro Jr. (Democratic, Working Families)

I believe the legislature should oversee and grant the use of emergency powers in extenuating circumstances. For example, Oregon's Governor declared a state of emergency to address a tap water crisis where drinking water had become poisonous. This activated National Guard troops who were able to truck in clean drinking water.

Do you believe that compromise is necessary or desirable for policymaking?

Michael Morrow (L)

Compromise and working with others is important. However, there are times that you must hold your ground on matters of principle, such as individual rights.

Ramiro Navarro Jr. (Democratic, Working Families)

Absolutely. I faced a lot of pushback when organizing events in college or pushing for policy to help Veterans and if I had failed to compromise, then none of it would've happened. Personally, I don't find it too difficult to compromise. First, you have to know who you're talking to and then you can find common ground where there's not much to compromise on because both parties were heard in the beginning. For example, I sit on the SB973 IMPACTS committee to improve people's access to community-based treatment and services. It took months of compromising with other committee members to draft policies that would make the most impact on improving people's access to services while limiting what funds could be used for. In the end, I believe we all walked away from the table happy and now we meet every few months to review the amazing success of the initiative.

See also

More about these elections:

• Oregon House of Representatives elections, 2022

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