Oregon State Senate District 16 candidate surveys, 2022

Elections in Oregon, 2022

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This article shows responses from candidates in the 2022 election for Oregon State Senate District 16 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 State Senate District 16

Suzanne Weber defeated Melissa Busch in the general election for Oregon State Senate District 16 on November 8, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Suzanne Weber (R)	56.5	41,144
		Melissa Busch (D / Independent Party)	43.4	31,585
		Other/Write-in votes	0.1	74

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 72,803
= 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?

Melissa Busch (Democratic, Independent)

I am a nurse and champion for quality, comprehensive, affordable health care. I want to ensure every Oregonian has the ability to access affordable care for everything from preventative services to emergency medicine to behavioral health and substance use treatment, to comprehensive reproductive health care. It is critical we have nurses' voices at the decision making table, and once there I will support legislative efforts to ensure health care for all Oregonians, address rising costs of prescription medications, and remove barriers to care in underserved rural and coastal communities.

I understand that part of creating healthy communities is ensuring that everyone has a place to call home; from working people priced out of the market, to our elderly neighbors on fixed incomes, to folks impacted by houselessness, mental illness, and substance use. As a nurse, I see the impacts of inadequate housing on the health, safety, and well-being our communities. I know that in order to have people work and participate in our communities they must have a place to live.

Our communities need access to dependable and affordable childcare and eldercare so families, especially mothers, have access to entering the workforce and staying there if they chose to. The childcare and eldercare crisis is impacting working families and our local small businesses. I want to work towards access to quality, affordable childcare and eldercare options for working families across the state, particularly in our more rural communities, and to ensure that both childcare and eldercare providers are able to stay open to meet the needs of our communities, and also that they are able to pay these essential workers adequately.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Melissa Busch (Democratic, Independent)

Housing

Rising rents and home prices have taken a toll on our community. I have seen this first hand when caring for patients in their homes. We need to take action to find affordable housing solutions for seniors and hard working families. I want to take immediate steps to reduce homelessness, like increasing shelter capacity, investing in mental health and wraparound services, and supporting coordinated local response.

Education Every child deserves access to a quality education, no matter their zip code. I will stand up for students, teachers and parents, and invest in public schools so they have the resources they need to be successful. I also will support apprenticeship programs and career tech education.

Healthcare During the COVID-19 pandemic, we have seen just how essential the components of the umbrella of healthcare are. Lack of access to sufficient healthcare services has resulted in preventable human suffering and economic loss, particularly amongst our most vulnerable communities. I will focus on this broader understanding of health and work towards securing access to the fundamental needs that will ensure that our communities can thrive.

Supporting Small Businesses

Small businesses and working families are the backbone of our community. I will fight to bring good-paying jobs to our community, invest in workforce development so businesses can find qualified workers, and support entrepreneurs who are investing in the local economy.

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

Melissa Busch (Democratic, Independent)

I look up to the many women who have previous or are currently running for public office and serving in all elected positions. It takes courage and sacrifice, and it helps pave the way for other women and people historically underrepresented in public leadership.

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

Melissa Busch (Democratic, Independent)

I believe it is essential that elected officials have a strong values and dedication to the community. My work has ingrained both of those qualities in me. As a nurse and now as a candidate for State Senate District 16, I see folks from all walks of life. I have driven up many a driveway to houses with flags flying pledging allegiance to a wide range of political and social interests, and yet I walk in, sit down at the kitchen table, and care for each of those patients and their families in the same way — no matter their viewpoints or politics. I show up. I listen to our community members, I share their concerns, and I genuinely want to find solutions to the problems they face. There are many members of our communities across my district who are experiencing legitimate struggles - each and every one of those people would be my constituents.

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

Melissa Busch (Democratic, Independent)

My experiences as a nurse and a mother have given me the compassion, dedication, drive, and bravery to forge ahead and lead with shared values and common interests, even in times of great uncertainty. I know how to work together to get things done, even when all the team members don't see eye to eye on the best way to accomplish our goals. I am patient but persistent. I do not give up on those I am here to serve.

What is your favorite book? Why?

Melissa Busch (Democratic, Independent)

Tiny Beautiful Things, by Cheryl Strayed. Funny, heartbreaking, and just deeply human storytelling.

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

Melissa Busch (Democratic, Independent)

There has recently been a shift towards expanding the representation in the Oregon State Legislature to more accurately represent the diversity of the constituents across the state, including people that come from backgrounds outside of politics and government. While I believe there are many benefits to state legislators having previous experience in public office, I also see value in having the perspectives of working people, outside of government, serving in the legislature. As a nurse, I bring a unique understanding of the issues, challenges, and opportunities before us, and that perspective can lend to innovative policymaking that can benefit our communities.

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

Melissa Busch (Democratic, Independent)

Health Care; As a nurse, I understand the issues impacting health care across my district and the state. I am dedicated to working on disparities and inequities of health care access, because I know health care is a human right. I think it is critical we have frontline health care workers, like myself, at the decision-making table in the state legislature.

Housing and Development; Housing is a looming issue across the state and in my district. As a nurse, I know that stable housing is essential to our communities; housing is a critical part of healthy communities. In my district, affordable, workforce housing is a critical need, as well as housing solutions for families and individuals on fixed incomes. I would approach housing as an intersectional issue, by for example, taking into account the relationship with living-wage work.

Human Services, Mental Health, and Recovery; In the work I do as a nurse in our communities, I have come to understand the impacts of under-resourced programs and the unmet needs of our communities. There are significant unmet needs for wraparound services amongst our lowest income and most vulnerable communities. Those issues contribute to an individual’s ability to participate in daily life in our communities. Social safety nets are critical to the success and viability of our communities, particularly in times of crisis, like the COVID-19 pandemic. We need to ensure that we are investing in behavioral health supports and treatment for substance use, as these are issues that impact every community in the state.

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

Melissa Busch (Democratic, Independent)

My work as a nurse has taught me to collaborate and work as a team towards common goals. I think that is an important and necessary skill when it comes to policymaking and creating legislation that will serve the diverse needs of the state. I have strong values that ultimately guide my decision making, however I believe it is essential to be willing to listen and learn from a variety of viewpoints.

See also

More about these elections:

• Oregon State Senate elections, 2022

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