Brent Barker on running for secretary of state, top issues, what’s going right
KOIN 6 News contacted candidates who are running for Oregon secretary of state in 2024, asking them to respond to these questions:
Why are you running for secretary of state? If elected, what would be your top priorities?
What is your prior government/civic experience?
Sometimes, the secretary of state has to decide whether to remove candidates from the ballot. How would you have handled the decision whether to remove former President Donald Trump from the 2024 ballot and the decision to remove 2022 gubernatorial candidate Nick Kristoff?
In 2023, Secretary of State LaVonne Griffin-Valade joined the nationwide #TrustedInfo2024 campaign to increase trust in election officials amid the spread of misinformation surrounding elections and voter information. If elected, how would you build trust in Oregon elections?
A Reed College study, published in 2023, found county election offices in Oregon are struggling to retain and recruit workers amid a “toxic” political landscape, inadequate funding, and a rapidly changing workload. How will you support Oregon election workers?
What do you think is going right in the secretary of state’s office? How would you build on it?
What changes do you want to bring to the Oregon Secretary of State’s office?
Brent Barker is running as a Republican. Here are his responses.
Why are you running for secretary of state? If elected, what would be your top priorities?
The “why” starts with why I am running. We have watched the decay, litter, disregard for private and public property over the past 20 years in our beautiful state. I believe a person is prepared for public service when their education and experience are commensurate with the opportunity sought. Have traveled much of the world and was able to experience countless U.S. cities during my tenure in the White House EOP Office of Advance (non-partisan role). We would arrive one week prior to the arrival of the President and collaborate with security, private and public agencies, to achieve weekly mission statements. In business we constantly inspect what we expect. This includes verification of documents, negotiations, and making ends meet. Have enjoyed my visits to Washington D.C. meeting various Ambassadors on Embassy Row. The first thing one learns is everyone’s opinion has value – and the more solution based, respectful, kind spirited the dialogue – the better.
As a student of Law and dispute resolution at Pepperdine University Caruso School of Law – the focus is Dispute Resolution. Meeting others where they stand and systematically going through caucusing, preference discussions, convening and negotiations to arrive at solutions. The Oregon Secretary of State is not a position for rule breakers, those that walk back statements, and or pointing fingers at others and essentially attacking them. Being empathetic to voters as a public servant is key. I have volunteered with Homes of Hope, identified inequities, and brought diverse communities together; worked to bring awareness at World Vision and volunteered in soup kitchens.
I believe high integrity, honesty, empathy, following the rules, acknowledging conflicts of interest where they are – are just part of the larger responsibilities at the Oregon Secretary of States Office.
Reviewing the voting records, champion a reset to zero, we all re-register to vote, much like a driver’s license. A true forensic audit of the voting cast record is far too expensive and would have potential privacy hurdles. Bring balance to the state land board and have a sense of urgency in the day-to-day operations of the Secretary of State. A State and Federal holiday for elections is long overdue. Please see my full plan at www.brentbarkerfororegon.com/our-plan.
I will be a voice for all voters, all parties and bring transparency to the Oregon government. Our campaign does not sing to the choir. The office of the Secretary of State is essentially the neutral office of the Ambassador of Goodwill.
What is your prior government/civic experience?
Have worked at the top of the ticket for over 25 years campaigning. Named 2009 US-Asia Expo Ambassador for Arizona by Phoenix Economic Council (GPEC) Interntaional Trade Council. Received 2015 Commendation Award for Public Service by Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors for bringing diverse groups together as the founder of an international business forum. Precinct Commitee Person (PCP) and Oregon Delegate. It was an honor to work in the White House Executive Office of the President (EOP) – in the Office of Advance we would arrive in various communities a week in advance and prepare for the arrival of the President, negotiating venues, terms, agency involvement, with the goal of providing a presidential experience. 2022 Candidate for the Oregon Commissioner of Labor and Industries (BOLI). 2024 Candidate for Oregon Secretary of State. 2018 International School of Campaign Fundraising in Vienna, Austria. Pepperdine Graziadio Business School. Graduate education continues at Pepperdine University Caruso School of Law – Dispute Resolution where we simulate committee, caucusing in a systematic fashion with the goal of bring diverse interests to the table and find common ground for an agreement.
Sometimes, the secretary of state has to decide whether to remove candidates from the ballot. How would you have handled the decision whether to remove former President Donald Trump from the 2024 ballot and the decision to remove 2022 gubernatorial candidate Nick Kristoff?
These are two drastically different discussions. The first being Nick Kristoff a state 2022 gubernatorial candidate. He did not meet the state’s three-year residency requirement. The Oregon State Supreme Court rejected Mr. Kristoff’s bid to appear on the ballot. The Secretary of State frequently makes candidacy decisions based on residency rules.
The second pertains to the Federal Presidential Elections. As a candidate for Oregon Secretary of State I am interested in facts. President Biden was elected, and the incumbent received a record number of votes. The 2020 election enjoyed a variety of firsts, a pandemic, new virus businesses, masks, social distancing, fear making way for a rise in mail in voting.
The 2020 election marked a major shift in the way people cast ballots, at least temporarily. This was driven largely by the pandemic and voters wanting to avoid crowded polling places, with the goal of social distancing. Roughly a quarter of all voters used a mailed ballot during the 2016 and 2018 elections, but that number jumped to more than 43% in 2020. All Americans want their voice and vote to be heard.
Time, hands, lack of observers due to social distancing raised doubt, and lowered voter confidence. Our campaign advocates an in person voting holiday, tax credits to employers, a valid ID, voting roll resets to zero requiring new voter registrations in lieu of costly audits. Former President Trump, by all accounts, and jurisdiction should be on the ballot. Nearly half the nation has identified him as the Republican nominee for president. The Secretary of State’s office must remove political agendas from decision making for all candidates. Interfering in the election process using political and legal tactics should be avoided. We are a Constitutional Republic where following rules, decorum, and common decency reigns paramount.
In 2023, Secretary of State LaVonne Griffin-Valade joined the nationwide #TrustedInfo2024 campaign to increase trust in election officials amid the spread of misinformation surrounding elections and voter information. If elected, how would you build trust in Oregon elections?
What is referred to as #TrustedInfo2020 is a public election education initiative. The nation’s Secretaries of State, 40 of whom serve as their state’s chief election official, along with other state and local election officials are continuously working to inform Americans about the elections process. #TrustedInfo2020 encourages American citizens to look to their state and local election officials as the trusted sources for election information. Driving voters directly to election officials’ websites and verified social media pages will ensure voters are getting accurate election information and cut down on the misinformation and disinformation that can surround elections.
At first blush this sounds like a noble effort. No one likes disseminating inaccurate facts, figures, names, projections, etc. However, relying on government, NGO’s, and other organizations for information accuracy is highly suspect. In addition, any platform that advances artificial intelligence to decide winners and losers, and or invades the privacy of citizens is potentially unconstitutional under the 4th Amendment. We must discuss these things before rushing into centralized actions, using algorithms of data collection to determine fact from fiction. We must at all cost avoid censorship and or abridged versions of the 1st Amendment freedoms – speech, assembly, petition, religion and press.
A Reed College study, published in 2023, found county election offices in Oregon are struggling to retain and recruit workers amid a “toxic” political landscape, inadequate funding, and a rapidly changing workload. How will you support Oregon election workers?
Love this question. First let’s start with Our Plan www.brentbarkerfororegon.com/our-plan – by setting the cast voting record to zero, and re-registering voters (similar to a driver’s license) many issues of conflict are removed. The stress of making sense of a mess is profound. Secondly, a Statewide Holiday for all State and Federal Elections will demonstrate and show the people of Oregon we take our civic responsibilities seriously. This day must be observed in such a way that allows resources to be directed to county officials to essentially prepare for primary and general election days. It is clearly important that we stand in another’s shoes, look through their eyes and understand the challenges they face working in environments that are often divisive. We must unite around respect for others, their views, and decorum in our constitutional republic. I will be an empathetic Secretary of State that directs an annual budget of $112,000,000 to the most critical job of election integrity for all voters.
What do you think is going right in the secretary of state’s office? How would you build on it?
Oregon is currently one of roughly a dozen states that has no limits on campaign contributions, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. House Bill 4024 changes campaign finance in Oregon. This is refreshing news!
Campaign finance has become big business. Was at a small regional meeting listening to regional candidates. They were asked how much money they were looking to raise for their positions. Essentially their representation encompasses a 20-minute drive one direction or another. They suggested $1,000,000 in donations was required to run for a position that offers a small annual stipend of less than $40,000. Politics has become a cottage industry.
Under the bill 4024, starting in 2027, individuals and corporations can give up to $3,300 to a statewide candidate per election cycle, while political party committees can give up to $30,000. So-called “membership organizations,” such as labor unions and nonprofit advocacy groups, can contribute a total of $26,400 to a statewide candidate per cycle.
The bill was approved just days before the end of this year’s short 35-day legislative session, passing 22-6 in the state Senate on Thursday and 52-5 in the state House on Wednesday. Introduced by Democratic House Majority Leader Julie Fahey, it won bipartisan backing.
I applaud Gov. Tina Kotek for supporting House Bill 4024 and has signed it. The current ORESTAR reporting system provides significant support. Unreported cash contributions will require penalties and enforcement. I believe in providing adequate warnings prior to any disciplinary action. These rules, like any law, require enforcement. Campaign finance reform can’t happen soon enough. The Oregon Secretary of State represents all voters in Oregon. This is a constitutional position that holds the power of the audit. The Governor holds the power of the veto. It is important these powers are used prudently and efficiently. Taxpayers must be assured the highest and best use of their tax dollars; voters must feel confident that their votes are secure. Using the phrase made famous by President Reagan, we must trust but verify. Observers are key to this process, working in teams to spread the workload and review others’ work. We will review all policies within the capacity of the office of Oregon Secretary of State for best practices and transparency.
What changes do you want to bring to the Oregon Secretary of State’s office?
I love the state of Oregon as one of the most beautiful, scenic states in the nation. Portland and the state of Oregon, not so long ago, were ranked #1 for livability, modern lifestyle, health, and wellness. Recall working on the Portland development project of McCormick Pier in 2005 when we could walk the streets of Portland safely. Our streets were clean, with little litter, and no graffiti. This was not long ago. Heritage Foundation election integrity scorecard ranks Oregon 47th with a score of 38 out of 100. Oregon leads in many categories leading to low public confidence and poor public perception. Will resolve many of Oregon’s problems by fixing the election processes. This will require responsible measures to return systems of voting that can be trusted. As SECRETARY OF STATE, I will promote, and build fair access to our democracy in the State of Oregon; making reliable tools available to achieve economic success in the capacity of Secretary of State. Our goal is to provide transparency and bring the voters voice back to Oregon Government. We have a plan called “Oregon’s Organic Voting Measure.” Here is a general idea of our campaigns PROPOSAL:
Statewide Holiday for all State and Federal Elections
Tax credit to employer that provide ½ and full day paid holiday to employees
Statewide In-Person Voting o Valid Government Issued ID Required
Mail-In-ballots for Military and Provisions for Absentee Voters o Voter Registration Rolls are all Reset to Zero (requiring new registration), in lieu of costly audits. After which, renew all voter registrations every 8 years
Equal observers of major parties required at all voting stations
Hand count tally results with observers
Ballots are archived – for automatic recounts of 51%
Proposals are open for debate and discussion convening group interests, convening caucus, to negotiation committee, we look for a transparent process that builds public confidence. Our campaign does not look to point fingers, rather we look to discuss solutions.
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