politics

Salem Cancer Doctor Has Spent $1 Million On Gubernatorial Campaign

By Jeff Mapes (OPB)
April 13, 2016 11:37 p.m.
Bud Pierce

Bud Pierce

Courtesy of Budpierce.com

A little-known Salem doctor is the biggest self-financed political candidate in Oregon this year. Republican Bud Pierce has now put more than $1 million into his own money toward his race for governor.

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High-tech businessman Allen Alley is the best-known Republican candidate for governor this year — and the one with a reputation for a large personal fortune.

However, Pierce is the one writing big checks to his own campaign. He crossed the $1 million mark this week when he and his wife, Selma, gave another $260,000.

Pierce is one of the most successful cancer doctors in Oregon, according to federal Medicare billing data. According to an analysis by the Wall Street Journal, Pierce collected about $1.5 million in Medicare billings in 2013, the seventh highest of any cancer doctor in the state.

Pierce’s political consultant, Chuck Adams, said the candidate knew he’d need to self-finance to get his name out for the May 17 primary.

Alley has raised about $240,000 for his campaign, but so far hasn’t put in any of his own money. He loaned $350,000 to his unsuccessful 2010 race for governor.

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