Voters in 5th Congressional District want candidates focused on homelessness, economy

OREGON CITY, Ore. — Voters in Oregon City say there're several big issues they want the winner of the Congressional District 5 race to address once they're in office.

Nancy Busch of Busch Furniture has done business in Oregon City a long time.

“Five generations, my husband is 5th generation Busch furniture operator, and we’ve been in business for 138 years here in Oregon City,” she said. “I’ve seen a lot of changes come to this area, not all of them good.”

One change in particular that concerns her is the growing homelessness crisis.

“I shouldn’t have to pick up needles and human waste here every day down here,” she said, pointing to the back side of the store.

That's why she and other voters in Oregon City want to see their new representative in Congress do something about it.

“Certainly, homelessness is the real issue, homelessness and social services,” said Alan Burrell, another Clackamas County voter.

Burrell says he wants whoever is representing him come November to increase social services to help people not have to live on the street.

“I really feel that a lot of the homeless issues are because they can’t get adequate treatment in a timely manner, and I think that’s a statewide issue,” he said.

Republican candidate Lori Chavez-DeRemer says she'll make combating homelessness and homeless camping a priority by fighting drug trafficking and offering "safe alternatives to living on the street."

While Democrat Jamie McLeod-Skinner doesn't mention homelessness as a priority, specifically, she does mention that she wants to increase investments in affordable housing to help people have a viable alternative to living on the street.

Another big issue we heard from voters: the economy.

Especially for people like lifelong Oregon City resident Steven Cameron.

“The prices of things are pretty bad. I’m retired now so, you know, I kind of have a fixed income. Gas prices are just ridiculous,” he said.

Busch also said the economy is a top issue for her as well and explained how inflation hurts business owners as well as customers.

“If homes aren’t selling, you’re not buying furniture. If your lumber is too much you’re not remodeling, and you’re probably not buying furniture. It not only impacts how I do business but also freight goes up, materials go up, so the costs also go up for everything,” she said.

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Both McLeod-Skinner and Chaves-DeRemer say fixing the economy is a top priority for them.

Chavez-DeRemer blames much of the inflation on Democratic policies. She's said she wants to work on congressional policies that will bring down prices on consumer goods and services.

While McLeod-Skinner says she wants to help people who are struggling now by increasing investments in affordable health care, home-care, child care, and higher education.

Clackamas County voter Devin Gaerisch also said that tolls on highways is a big issue for him.

"No tolls on the highway, that's a big one. You go to the East Coast, and they have tolls, and in Oregon, it just doesn't fit here! I don't like it; let's not do it!" he said.

The candidates are sure to address these important issues and many others in our live debate on KATU News Tuesday, Sept. 27 at 6 p.m. Watch it on the air, on our web page or on our Facebook page.