Voting for Maren

I have been privileged enough to actually meet with one of the candidates running for State Senator 27th District and I have to say “I am impressed”. Maren Lundgren has been out hitting the streets and promoting her campaign over this last summer and fall, and we have crossed path several times. She manned a booth in the sweltering heat at Fiesta Del Sol, and got to know our communities children and their families at The Children’s Festival. Maybe this is one of the many reasons I like her. I believe that it is important to “show up”, support, and take part in your communities important events even if it is tough, tiring, or doesn’t yield the response you had hoped for. It was refreshing to see that someone who is asking for my vote actually “showed up” and ask for it in person..even in the sweltering heat.

And while I am impressed with her hard work and campaign efforts what really won me over is who she is and what she supports. After my talks with her I asked her to sum up the things we talked about. So here’s the run down on Maren and if this isn’t enough to win you over..well I don’t know what is:

Who is Maren?

As a mother and an advocate for children in my job as public defender (Juvenile Justice), I am frustrated when I find myself facing the same problems and fighting the same fight time and time again. What I have come to realize is that our system is broken. Whether we are talking about criminal justice, education, the environment, or public transportation, we have difficult choices to make. We have to change the way we think about the urgent problems we are facing and stop throwing increasingly larger piles of money at the same broken systems. Now is the time to collaborate and form a shared vision of the Oregon we want our children and grandchildren to inherit and set a strategic plan to reach that vision.

Prioritizing Education:

I am committed to increasing access to early childhood education so all our children arrive at school ready to learn. We need to reduce class sizes, and expand teacher mentoring programs, while keeping art, music, and PE in all of our schools so our children get the diverse education they need to excel in a global marketplace.

Lack of financial resources should not be a barrier to a student who wants to learn. We must work to ensure that all Oregonians have access to higher education and vocational programs to build a brighter future for our state.

Achieving Energy Independence:

As Oregonians we have the pioneering spirit to build on our renewable energy infrastructure. By expanding the use of existing wind, solar, wave and geothermal technology we can become the blueprint for the nation in achieving energy independence.

Expanding Public Transportation:

In these difficult economic times, with fuel prices rising and no end in sight, we must increase access to public transportation and ensure working families don’t have to choose between buying fuel and putting food on the table.

Improving Access to Healthcare:

Healthcare is a basic human right, not a privilege. No one should have to choose between paying for medical treatment and paying their bills, or have their conditions worsen because they lack access to affordable treatment. As a mother, I understand the urgency of this issue and I will fight to ensure every Oregonian has access to basic healthcare.

Protecting Our Natural Resources:

As a fourth generation Oregonian, I have long been an advocate of protecting our natural resources. Bio-diversity is essential to our farms, forests and fisheries and must be preserved for the future. I recognize the vital role the environment plays in the long term sustainability of our economy and recreation and will continue to dedicate myself to protecting the things we love about our great state.

This is just a quick synopsis of her passions and goals for Oregon and its residents, and clearly her stance speaks to me personally as a mother and early education provider. If you would like to find out more about Maren before filling out your ballot and sending it in, check out http://www.lundgrenforsenate.org/. I believe you will be inspired.

Now for my most important message… Vote! If you are like me, you have received your ballot and are ready to go.. So what are you waiting for? I am doing it. Right now..see?