Westlund to Run for Treasurer
State Senator Ben Westlund has announced that he will run for Oregon Treasurer, Oregon Public Broadcasting reports:
Oregon State Senator Ben Westlund says he’s running for treasurer. The Democrat from Bend made the announcement Wednesday at the state capitol in Salem.Westlund has served in the legislature for 10 years. But he says he’ll draw from his experience as a business owner if he gets elected treasurer.
Ben Westlund: “I know firsthand the struggles of meeting payroll, the risk of expansion, and the prudence and discipline required of running a successful venture. They are lessons hard-learned and I will take them with me to the treasurer’s office.”
Westlund is the only candidate to seek the office so far. Last year he briefly ran for governor as an independent before dropping out of the race.
The current State Treasurer, Randall Edwards, can’t seek re-election because of term limits.
On his new campaign website, Westlund announces his candidacy and details what his priorities will be as Treasurer:
As State Treasurer, I will continue Oregon’s tradition of wise investments to create wealth for our people and to save tax dollars for our state.I will invest in our people by expanding the college savings program to more families.
I will work to expand financial literacy that helps people make sound choices and save for a home purchase or retirement.
I will enhance Oregon's brand by advocating for local and sustainable business models to build a more socially, environmentally and financially sustainable economy
I will look at creative ways we can speed up investments to repair our infrastructure.
To help Oregon consumers, I will champion legislation that protects people from unscrupulous lending schemes like payday loans and predatory mortgages that put their financial well-being at risk.
As State Treasure I will promote investments in renewable energy to reduce our dependency on foreign and create Oregon jobs.
As State Treasurer I will manage the Oregon Health Fund, passed by the 2007 Legislature as part of the Healthy Oregon Act, to help businesses and individuals lower health care costs.
Westlund is the only candidate for Treasurer thus far, and has a significant head start in the endorsement race, with Governor Kulongoski and multiple members of the State Legislature announcing their support.
Discuss.
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Oct. 03, 2007
Posted in in the news 2007. |
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Oct 3, '07
I'm glad to hear that Ben is running. I have had the pleasure of meeting him many times and I can honestly say that he is one of the nicest and smartest people I have ever met.
Not mention he's been a fought for Universal Health Care, Civil Unions, Equal protection for Gays and Lesbians, and protecting Oregon's special places from development.
I hope everyone here will join me in voting for Ben for Treasurer.
3:43 p.m.
Oct 3, '07
Would much rather he ran against Walden in OR-02.
Oct 3, '07
Is he running as a Democrat or on the newly formed Independent ticket? Or will receive multiple nominations and then pick one as he did in his last election?
4:48 p.m.
Oct 3, '07
4:57 p.m.
Oct 3, '07
Hmmmmm
From Ridenbaugh Press' account of his announcement:
That latter part is not a concrete red-flag, but makes me wonder what that means precisely and somethign to question. Is he trying to sign onto woefully misguided things like what OurOregon was trying to ram-rod through in the last session (which basically would have destroyed the entire mortgage broker industry in this state, not to mention pitting Oregon vs. the fair lending act) or is he advocating for more surgical and valid ways of addressing predatory lenders?
5:03 p.m.
Oct 3, '07
From our website:
The Mortgage Lending Crisis
Across the country, millions of homeowners are at risk of losing their largest asset because of the contracts that got them into homes in the first place. Penalties for pre-payment, inadequate income verification, adjustable rate mortgages, along with practices like failure to provide an escrow account for taxes and insurance, exacerbated by a lack of financial literacy on the part of borrowers is creating an economic crisis.
The Senate Commerce and Labor Committee, chaired by Senator Westlund, will be working with the Governor's office, the House and state agencies to protect Oregonians from further unscrupulous practices. First steps may include increasing financial literacy to help people avoid bad practices.
Oct 3, '07
By tackling the ridiculous, inadequate, and unsustainable health care system, Westlund's already taken major steps to improve Oregon’s fiscal integrity. I know he’ll take care of this state’s money. I’m particularly impressed that he’s choosing to talk about climate change as a part of his campaign and making a point of illustrating the financial implications of it (see his website). He’s going to show real leadership on an issue that some might not naturally connect to the office of treasurer. He’s got my vote.
5:16 p.m.
Oct 3, '07
I have always liked Ben, even when he was a Republican, because he seemed like a rational guy with good basic values. Now he is more liberated as a Democrat and I like him even more.
However, I do not understand what in his background makes him the right guy in our state to be Treasurer. As far as I can tell he has no relevent background for the job other than he knows how to pull the political levers (and that is an important part of the job). When it comes to the fundamental aspects of the job of Treasurer, managing the state's financial resources, he does not have the experience or the education that fits that job as far as I can tell.
Help me understand why I should support him.
5:23 p.m.
Oct 3, '07
5:25 p.m.
Oct 3, '07
ugh:
should read:
Oct 3, '07
I, too, am a member of the Ben Westlund Fan Club. I grew to appreciate him way back when he was the Co-Chair of Ways and Means (handling the state's money most expertly, John Calhoun!), always accessible and willing to listen, no matter the time pressures and strain of that job. As a business person, an investor, a budget master, and a really smart guy, Ben is indisputably capable and qualified. I heard Bill Lunch say that the State Treasurer's seat is rarely a stepping stone to higher office because most termed-out Treasurers are seduced to work for the finance industry post-politics. That would mean that such a climber might position on finance policy in a way that benefits one's future benefactors! Well, I do not think that there would be such a revolving door with Ben, who isn't looking for a career stepping stone to Wall Street. That should make him the most fiscally responsible Treasurer Oregon has had for a long time. He's pro-education, pro-sustainability, pro-health care, and pro-compassion. Were there a dozen contenders in this race, there would still be no contest in my mind.
Oct 3, '07
I have always liked Ben, even when he was a Republican, because he seemed like a rational guy with good basic values. Now he is more liberated as a Democrat and I like him even more.
I didn't like Ben when he was a Republican and doing the bidding of developers and builders associations. In fact, I was hostile towards him. However, he seems to have made a damascene conversion since leaving the Republican party so I'm inclined to support him for Treasurer.
Oct 3, '07
This is just too much. Why doesn't he run for AG, he is just as qualified for that job as this one. BA English/History, producing kitty litter and pimping out animals does not qualify someone to manage 68 billion...(THATS MILLION WITH A "B" FOLKS)...of the people's assets. Oregon State Leg. and small (teeny weeny) sized business does not equate to the job he is applying for. People of Oregon, here me now, do not vote for Ben Westlund as State Treasurer. Compare Ben's resume against R. Edwards and J. Hill's for recent history, Ben's does not compare. Finance is a very technical discipline! You can't run the State using Quicken or Quick Books, it is much more complex than that. Ben is an excellent Leg. and is a true patriot, he has served Oregon well and the people should give major thanks for his service, but this is the wrong office for Ben. Please Ben, go after Walden, but drop this one man, do it for the people bro.
Oct 3, '07
Ben's excellent record as a legislator should serve as a good indication of his high level of competence in dealing with a barrage of state financial issues, I'm sure he will make a first rate State Treasurer. GO BEN GO !!!!
Oct 3, '07
As an indy (NAV, actually) I like Ben, I liked his run for Gov, and wished he had done better. Having said that, I agree with lesta and TruthW and their concerns.
And I don't get Stacy's response here: Stacy says: "Penalties for pre-payment, inadequate income verification, adjustable rate mortgages, along with practices like failure to provide an escrow account for taxes and insurance,..."
<hr/>What exactly is Ben going to do about "inadequate income verification, and ARMs"?
Penalize the foolish applicants who lied to get a loan, and then could not pay the mortgage because they actually did not have the income that they stated on their loan application?
Penalize the foolish applicants who got an adjustable rate mortgage, and then were surprised when the loan rate actually adjusted higher, as per the loan agreement that they signed?
I agree, they should be penalized!! Maybe take their home away from them?
Oct 3, '07
Just to be clear, for those who couldn't read between my lines.
I advocate only taking away homes from the real estate flippers who were highly leveraged to the hilt in order to buy 2, 3 (and yes even 4 and 5) homes on the speculation that they will keep going up 20-30% each year.
They are the ones who should face the consequences of their own risk taking. Just like the dot com investors got shafted big time (not that I know waaaay too much about those people) for their own greedy behavior, so should these investor / speculators /gamblers get it also.
Oct 3, '07
Please Ben, go after Walden, but drop this one man, do it for the people bro.
Unless Walden proves to be gay or a child molester it is pointless to run against him with any hope of winning. He has the majority of voters in District 2 in his pocket. They don't care if he was involved with Smith and Cheney in the fish kill in the Klamath Basin as long as they got water for their farms. They don't care if he voted for the war on Iraq and against SCHIP as long as he took care of some voters' personal interests and none of their kids are being killed or maimed in Iraq or going without health care. Walden is worse than Smith but, unfortunately, not at risk of being voted out.
7:57 p.m.
Oct 3, '07
Boy oh boy, are there no bridges to hang out under tonight?
Not only is Ben Westlund a terrific person he's more than qualified to be our state treasurer. I've known Ben for over ten years and he has always made himself available and always listens regardless of your political persuasion. I was born a Democrat, it's in my DNA and I even liked Ben when he was a Republican. We had our issues, but I never left conversation with Ben believing that he just paid lip service to my concerns.
Ben Being a 10 year member and a co-chair of the Ways and Means Committee more that qualifies him to be state treasurer.
Ben's bout with cancer was a transforming experience. He has genuine compassion and humanity when it comes to health care issues - Ben gets it! I support Ben and will vote and work for his campaign.
9:23 p.m.
Oct 3, '07
TWK wrote: Compare Ben's resume against R. Edwards and J. Hill's for recent history, Ben's does not compare.
OK, I'm willing to play along.... But I don't know hardly anything about Randall Edwards's and Jim Hill's resumes prior to being Treasurer.
Seems to me that, like Westlund, they were primarily both state legislators prior to running for State Treasurer.
So, unless you got something real, Ben Westlund looks plenty qualified to be state treasurer.
Oct 3, '07
I think that Jim Hill was (while a citizen legislator) a controller and maybe even Corporate Treasurer for Mentor Graphics. Not positive, so please correct me if I'm wrong. If not Mentor, then some other high tech company?
(gee, what is google for??)
<hr/>After Googling him, I found on the first hit: OCCUPATIONAL BACKGROUND: Corporate Accounts Manager for Latin America, Mentor Graphics Corp.; Personnel Consultant, State Farm Insurance; and Assistant Attorney General.
<h2>EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND: Doctor of Jurisprudence -- Indiana University College of Law; Master of Business Administration -- Indiana University; B.A. in Economics -- Michigan State University.</h2>Yep, I'd put that resume right up there with BA in Education and history from UofO, and small businessman and bull semen salesman.
Oct 4, '07
Why aren't folks as upset about the Guv endorsing in this race as they were about the Guv endorsing in the AG race?
7:50 a.m.
Oct 4, '07
Wow Harry, you sure know how to minimize thirty years of hard work with a flip comment. Funny... it sounds so much like Vance Day's Republican message in today's news.
For people actually interested in leaning about Ben's background as an entrepreneur, business owner, an Oregon legislator and former co-chair, and as an advocate for responsible budgeting, improving healthcare, investing in education and cultural funding, his bio is online.
Plus, like the Governor, Jim Hill must feel Ben has the right skills for the joie because he's endorsed him.
For folks who don't know, the State Treasurer is one of seven members of the Oregon Investment Council who invest over $60 billion of Oregon's pension funds. The Treasury has over seventy professional employees including investment managers.
8:37 a.m.
Oct 4, '07
Can't speak for anyone else, but I think it is every bit as inappropriate in this case as it was in the other two instances. I say that even though I adore Ben Westlund and expect to support him for Treasurer.
Oct 4, '07
I say that even though I adore Ben Westlund and expect to support him for Treasurer.
Good one.
Stephanie V gets to have opinions about the candidates at this early stage in the race, but the governor does not.
8:54 a.m.
Oct 4, '07
Well, at least I'm consistent. And I am not a leader of the Democratic Party in Oregon.
Oct 4, '07
So is Ben running or is his staff?
Oct 4, '07
I think that several years of managing a $10+ Billion budget as Ways & Means co-chair more than qualifies Ben to be Treasurer. I wish him well down the (campaign) trail.
By the by, I think Westlund's team has created an impressive website: very snazy with lots of content. I think they could give you a run for your money Kari.
Oct 4, '07
***In my case, absence of objection is not evidence of lack of objection. The endorsement here is not as egregious because of the absence of another top-tier D in the race. And I think it equally silly being made 8 months before the election rather that 8 weeks before when it might have more weight.
Randy2
Oct 4, '07
So OregonCynic where you potty trained at gun point or is this just way you have always been?
Oct 4, '07
After working for 4 years under Jim Hill at the Treasurer's Office. as his senior policy advisor, there is no doubt in mind that Ben Westlund will make an excellent State Treasurer. There are good people working in Treasury that handle the day to day operations and an array of excellent board members that serve on the Oregon Investment Council which the State Treasurer is a part of. Ben has the managment skills, the vision, and most importantly the integrity to do the job. He also knows the numbers game, having served as Co-Chair of Ways and Means. Oregon will be well served with Westlund as State Treasurer. I bet my PERS on it.
8:00 p.m.
Oct 4, '07
The endorsement here is not as egregious because of the absence of another top-tier D in the race.
Um, I thought the "problem" with the Governor endorsing this early was because we don't yet know if the "best of all candidates" is still waiting in the wings.
So.... it's OK for the Governor to endorse in a race with exactly one candidate - but not OK to endorse in a race with two?
This makes no sense at all.
I think Governor can endorse anyone he wants, anytime he wants.
8:31 p.m.
Oct 4, '07
Can't speak for anyone else, but I think it is every bit as inappropriate in this case as it was in the other two instances. I say that even though I adore Ben Westlund and expect to support him for Treasurer.
I think I would've used "admire" rather than "adore" but what's two letters? I guess it's a guy thing...
4:19 p.m.
Oct 5, '07
You guys in the Real Estate Biz have been remarkably consistent in praising any proposed initiatives that punish or blame the greed and stupidity of buyers, but you refuse to even consider the possibility that the instruments in common use by motgage brokers these days, might be setting up conditions for failure of the system.
Not surprising. In this regard you are like the credit card companies who were happy to serve up a can of Whoop Ass on those evil deadbeats who defaulted, while refusing to aknowledge that deceptive marketing practices and hidden costs might be any kind of factor.
Rational guys, like Ben Westlund, are constantly changing their POVs as circumstances in the Real World demand such changes. Any politician who remains rigid in the face of change is either clinically insane, intellectually lazy, or has an ax to grind.
That Ben is evolving his positions in response to new realities is the highest recommendation that I can think of for any candidate for public office.
Go Ben.
Oct 7, '07
Wow ... I just look at the State Tresurer's website. I says the Tresurer is essentially the "Chief Financial Officer" of the State. Its scares me to death to think Ben will be our CFO !! He has zero financial ability - quick Ben - what's a "quick ratio" !! :) It was a hoot to see the Statesman Journal call him a successful, "self made" millionaire ? As long as I have known him he has simply played at work (all big losses), but the Family wealth has always been there to take care of those nasty bills and mortgage payments the rest of us worry about !! I think its time we really get someone of substance - You have to love that phony "down the trail" bull @#!% Ben lays out ... The bottom line is we cannot afford that at the State Treasurer's office level.
Oct 7, '07
OK gabe, who is your candidate for State Treasurer?
Oct 7, '07