Jason Atkinson for Governor

Next Monday will begin the one-year countdown to the 2006 elections, and the May primary is just over six months away. Today, I'm joining the Jason Atkinson for Governor Blogging Network, because I believe Jason is the best candidate for governor to turn our state in the right direction.

I must admit it's a little odd to be supporting a man who will turn just 36 the day before the November election, but that's also part of Jason's appeal. He's young, full of energy and ideas, not part of the "establishment." As he said in a recent interview with the University of Oregon's Daily Emerald:

Do you want to believe that I can turn it around, or do you want to do it the way it’s always been done? Cause there’s a bunch of candidates out there that are saying ‘Vote for me, I’ve got lots of gray hair, and I’ll give you the same government you’ve got.’ Our campaign is entirely different from the others, certainly based on age and youth and passion.

In between the job, the family and my other responsibilities, I'm slowly learning about Jason, and I like much of what I'm learning, especially on taxes, jobs and social issues; I appreciate that he seems more moderate on issues such as the environment and education, yet he doesn't seem willing to kiss the patooties of the left-wing environmental and education establishments. It speaks volumes to me that State Sen. Charlie Ringo, a Beaverton Democrat, contributed to Atkinson's campaign because of the latter's environmental positions.

Some of my support, however, is based on this simple fact: no other declared candidate for governor inspires confidence.

• Kevin Mannix? Yes, he came relatively close in 2002, but that was his third statewide election loss, and it was against Ted "I'm bored" Kulongoski. Also, the issue of Mannix paying off his campaign debt through his state GOP chairmanship will not go away.
• Ron Saxton? Between his efforts on the Portland School Board (can you say Ben Canada?); his legal efforts at Ater Wynne (Texas Pacific's attempted PGE purchase); his questionable political contributions to people like, oh, Kulongoski, Earl Blumenauer and Ron Wyden; and his variety of "moderate" (read liberal) positions, he will be challenged just to get out of the primary.

I appreciate that Atkinson seems to share my faith, but he doesn't wear it on his sleeve, he lives it. Read his biography and you see a man who serves, not just one who speaks. He's on the boards of the Crater Lake National Park Trust, which provides on-going private philanthropy in support of this magnificent state resource; the Sparrow Clubs, which assists children in medical crisis; and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, which emphasizes integrity, service, teamwork and excellence in athletics through a Christian framework. (Can you think of any athletic organizations that could use a little more of those things?)

For another great example, read this blurb from the Daily Emerald story mentioned above:

[Atkinson] said he’s in politics to help people like University student Aaron Mathews, people who have brought him individual senate bills asking for help.

Mathews said he suffers from a rare condition that robs him of his central vision. All he needs is an eye-glass adjustment, like Olympian Marla Runyan, who suffers from the same condition, and many states would allow him to drive. But not Oregon.

For a Grants Pass High School senior class project, Mathews wrote a bill that would allow him to drive. He asked Atkinson to come speak to his class about how a bill becomes a law. On the way out of the classroom, Atkinson remembers saying to Mathews, “Now you’ve got an A for bringing the Senator to your class, but if you really want to change the world, come see me next year and we’ll write this bill.”

Mathews, who excelled in high school sports despite his disability, said he worked with Atkinson, and a bill allowing him to drive passed in the House, but failed in the Senate.

“He got up at 5 a.m. and talked to everyone that voted against it and explained it to them,” Mathews said. The bill passed in a re-vote.

“He made a huge difference in my life,” Mathews said. “He’s truly what a public servant should be.”

Atkinson said his philosophy is based on faith, family and friends. Both of his parents were involved in ministry, and he’s been a part of Fellowship of Christian Athletes since he was a child. He also serves on the board of International United Christian Broadcasters.

“For my own person, it’s a center-core issue,” he said. “It’s who I am.”

Did you catch that? Jason Atkinson helped a high school kid write a bill that made a huge impact on his life, then got up at o'dark-thirty and lobbied those in opposition so they understood the significance of the bill. And it passed.

For another great rundown on Atkinson, read this post at Resistance is Futile. Gully gives a good rundown, and leaves me wanting more. (I was invited to that meeting, but darn it, I couldn't come; I hope we get another shot later.)

There's lots more to cover in the next six months, but count me among the supporters of Jason Atkinson as Oregon's next governor.