Bend., Ore. – At the Riverhouse on the Deschutes Saturday, Candidates Gov. Kate Brown and Dr. Bud Pierce took turns answering questions from a panel of journalists put on by The Society of Professional Journalists.
Pierce, the Republican candidate, has no political experience, but says his private sector background can bring new vision to government.
The debate highlighted major differences in how the two candidates want to solve Oregon’s issues.
For example, Brown supports ballot Measure 97, which would see companies that do more than $25 million in businesses paying a tax.
Brown said the money is needed to help fund education, health care for senior citizens and other critical services.
Pierce said the measure would increase the cost of living for every Oregonian and that instead, state government should learn to live within its means. A theme Pierce hit several times was his contention that Democrats create more government programs with more bureaucracy instead of redirecting resources. Brown said Pierce wants to cut social programs.
Brown was secretary of state when she ascended to the governorship when Gov. John Kitzhaber resigned amid an influence-peddling investigation.
Pierce is a Salem-based oncologist who runs several clinics. They are competing to fill the remaining two years of Kitzhaber’s term.
