Oregon State Rep. Andrea Salinas has announced her candidacy in the Democratic primary for the state's new sixth congressional district.
Andrea Salinas for Congress
Editor’s Note: Oregon’s 6th Congressional District is its newest following a growing population documented in the 2020 Census. While the primaries in the district saw a flood of candidates (and campaign cash), Democratic state Rep. Andrea Salinas and Republican businessman Mike Erickson emerged as the nominees in their party’s primaries. OPB reached out to both candidates to get their views on issues that are top of mind for voters this November. Here are the responses from Rep. Andrea Salinas.
Do you believe there was widespread fraud in the 2020 presidential election?
Absolutely not — and it’s not a matter of belief, it’s a matter of fact. After the 2020 election, Republicans brought every lawsuit imaginable to courts across the country and wasted hundreds of thousands of dollars on audits only to come up without any evidence supporting the claim that the election was somehow tainted by widespread fraud. It’s frankly baffling that we’re still being forced to discuss this issue, but the Republican party has made Trump’s Big Lie the cornerstone of its national agenda. And I shudder to think what it would mean for our democracy should they take power.
How accessible do you find voting in Oregon?
Fortunately, voting in Oregon is accessible and highly secure. Oregonians should feel encouraged not only to participate but to fully trust that their voice will be heard. And I know I speak for many of us when I say I feel a tremendous debt of gratitude for the nonpartisan public servants who help our elections run smoothly and securely each and every cycle. They are the unsung heroes of our democracy.
What is one policy you’d advocate for in Congress to reduce the effects of inflation in your district?
Tackling inflation is top of mind for me. And while we’re making progress, there’s more to be done to bring down prices for Oregonians. I agree with Harvard economics professor and chief economist for AFL-CIO, William Spriggs: We’ve got to take the strain off working folks and families by levying a short-term capital gains tax on the uber-rich. Massive corporations are taking advantage of a global economic challenge by raising prices and squeezing working people. If we can incentivize them to pay their fair share, we can make investments to kickstart our economy — and deliver relief to Oregonians.
Oregon recently released a wildfire risk map showing a significant part of your district at high risk for wildfire home damage in the future. What federal policies would you support to reduce wildfire risks in Oregon?
Wildfires threaten lives and livelihoods across Oregon, and the danger will only get worse until we get serious about climate change. In Congress, I’ll fight for investments in climate-resilient infrastructure so our communities are prepared to prevent, respond to, and withstand future blazes. That’s why I was heartened to see the Inflation Reduction Act signed into law — and why I was disturbed to hear my opponent brag about opposing it. That bill makes the largest investment in fighting climate change ever. It’s a big win for Oregon and will address the root causes that leave us vulnerable to wildfires.
Oregon has been a frequent site for political extremism in recent years. Why do you think that is, and what is Congress’ role in addressing it?
The rise of extremism in Oregon and across America is deeply concerning to me and so many Oregonians. Frankly, a lot of it can be attributed to the rhetoric espoused by Donald Trump and his allies for the last several years. The sad truth is today’s Republican Party has emboldened and embraced white nationalists, anti-government militias, and other dangerous conspiracists — and we saw the deadly consequences of that on January 6. Congress needs to be a place where leaders gather to speak truth, not spread conspiracies. We must lead by example. And I look forward to contributing to that change.
Do you believe Congress should take action on abortion access following the overturning of Roe v. Wade? What action should they take?
When the Supreme Court overturned Roe, it stripped millions of women of their right to make deeply personal health care choices. Congress must intervene to restore reproductive freedom across America. While abortion remains legal in Oregon, the Republican party clearly intends to use any potential majority to enact a sweeping national ban — that would be catastrophic for every Oregonian who values their right to privacy and freedom of choice. The House has already passed the Women’s Health Protection Act, legislation that would codify the principles of Roe. It’s past time for the Senate to do its part.
If elected, you would be the first representative of Oregon’s 6th Congressional District. What is one change you’d like to make happen to improve the lives of the people in that district?
That’s easy: I’d lower the cost of health care, including the price of prescription drugs like insulin. Every day, I hear from Oregonians who are struggling to pay for the medicines and therapies they need to be well. It’s simply unconscionable that anyone in the most prosperous nation on Earth has to worry about whether or not they can afford to see a doctor or receive necessary health care. During my time in the legislature, I’ve taken on Big Pharma and delivered sweeping drug pricing reform for Oregonians — and in Congress, I’ll take that fight to the next level.
What national policies would you support to address homelessness and housing shortages in the West?
Oregon’s housing crisis is unique and demands action to both address it in the short term and prevent it in the long term. For too long, politicians have side-stepped this issue, offering ideas that don’t measure up to the scope of the challenge. Congress needs to tackle this crisis head-on — that means investing in affordable housing, expanding mental health services, funding addiction treatment programs, and growing economic opportunity. This won’t be an easy thing to fix. And that’s why Oregonians need a proven policymaker with the skills to get things done — that’s the kind of leadership I offer.
Health care costs for people in the U.S. have grown substantially in the last decade, and even more so for Oregonians. Do you think Congress should address this, and if so, how?
Nothing is more important than the well-being of our people. Congress has a duty to address the high cost of health care, and there are a number of ways to do that. The Inflation Reduction Act made a fantastic start by allowing Medicare to negotiate the cost of prescription drugs and capping the price of insulin for Medicare beneficiaries. But we should go further — and I’m the right person for the job, because of my strong record of standing up to Big Pharma and delivering results to put power back in the hands of Oregon’s consumers.
Do you think Congress should take further actions to address the impacts of climate change, and if so, what would those policies look like?
Yes, we must do more to address climate change. I’m glad this administration is making the environment a priority, but Congress needs to get on board. We’ve got to make sweeping investments in clean energy, green manufacturing, and climate-resistant infrastructure. And we can do all that while creating hundreds of thousands of green, sustainable jobs that will help bring Oregon into the future. This is a difficult moment for our country and our planet, no doubt about it — but we can turn this moment into an opportunity if we have the courage to seize it.
