Dave Hunt unopposed as he seeks re-election

By Patrick Sherman

The Clackamas Review, Oct 21, 2006, Updated Oct 30, 2009

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Seeking a third term representing Oregon’s 40th district in the state legislature, Rep. Dave Hunt handily won the Democratic primary earlier this year. A candidate also won the Republican primary in convincing fashion: Rep. Dave Hunt.

“It’s unusual – I don’t think this district has ever been uncontested before,” said Hunt. “No Republican filed to run, and several Republican constituents contacted me and said they wanted to write me in. I think it’s a testament to the fact that I’ve tried to be balanced in the legislation that I’ve pursued and the votes that I’ve cast.

“If you look at how many votes a winning write-in candidate gets, it’s maybe 20 to 25. I got 293 out of 404 ballots cast.”

Hunt’s name will not appear in two places on the ballot in November, however.

“Technically, the way it works is that I’m offered both nominations, but I have to turn one down,” he said. “In some states, like New York, they have a ‘fusion’ ballot, where the same candidate’s name can appear under both parties.”

Working across party lines

Although he will not face a major-party contender in the general election, Hunt is still keen to describe his accomplishments and his plans for the future.

“During the last session, I made progress in education – especially at the community college level,” he said. “I co-founded the community college caucus with Vicki Berger, a Republican from Salem. We were really successful in winning more operational funds for community colleges, and also beginning the process of getting some capital construction money, as well.”

He pointed out that the state government has not committed any funds for capital improvements at community colleges since the 1970s.

“They have been lost in the middle for a lot of years, but they are a key bridge between four-year universities and the K-12 system,” Hunt said, explaining that the Republican leadership in the house showed little interest in increasing funding for primary and secondary schools.

“I sense some openness around community colleges,” he said. “When you see an opening, you jump through.”

As another accomplishment, he cited the passage of a bill ensuring mental health parity – requiring health insurance companies to offer comparable coverage for mental and physical illness.

“There have been mental health parity bills introduced in the legislature during each session for the last 15 years, but they have all been blocked in the House,” he said.

Recognizing the bill enjoyed broad bi-partisan support, Hunt formed an alliance with Rep. Carolyn Tomei and took on 10 co-sponsors from each party.

“We didn’t let any other Democrats come on board as co-sponsors, even though they wanted to, and we kept demanding a vote, which we eventually got towards the end of the session,” said Hunt.

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