Meet the Candidates for Nomination: Josiah Dean

Name: Josiah Dean

Seeking the nomination for Oregon House District 57.

Party Affiliation: Pacific Green Party

Home: Dufur

Why do you want to pursue this role? What interests you about it? What are the top issues you're campaigning on?

I provide professional, transparent, and ethical representation that prioritizes the local community over long-term political entrenchment. District 57 needs new leadership from someone who understands the economic realities of north-central Oregon and is not beholden to special interests.

The Green Party and You - Please choose one of the 10 Key Values and tell us what it means to you.

Community Based Economics

As our society recons with the unsustainability of our current economic system, a more community-based economy is required. This idea resonates with rural communities that embrace self-sufficiency and cooperation. As Climate Change and global instability effect our region the region has begun to focus on community resiliency.

Do you support the Green Party's position on universal healthcare nationally and/or statewide?

*https://www.gp.org/single_payer
**https://www.pacificgreens.org/support_health_care_for_all_oregon

Yes. Healthcare in Rural Oregon is already a challenge as local hospitals are undergoing financial stress with reduction in Federal funding. Oregon has done better than most states in ensuring the most vulnerable citizens are provided care through the Oregon Health Plan. I believe we need to strengthen and expand this successful program.

Do you support the Green Party's position on BDS, and Palestinian rights?

*https://www.gp.org/israel_palestine
**https://www.gp.org/bds_peaceful_approach_to_change

Yes. While not a direct issue in the district, I believe that this issue of the genocide in Gaza is the largest moral failing of our nation.

Do you support ranked choice voting or similar voting reform?

Yes. Overcoming the "spoiler effect" is one of the greatest challenges of the Green Party. Proportional representation and ranked choice are lofty goals but until then I support an embrace of the threat of spoiler as a way to obtain concessions from the major parties.

Anything else?

I am seeking assistance from the Democratic party in the region as they have not run a candidate in this district in more than a decade. I have found that local Dems are more supportive of our progressive platform than their national, establishment, committees.