Field Report: Chris Beck last-minute push

Chris Beck, Democratic candidate for Congress in Oregon's second congressional district, takes stock.

Beck took a moment from the job of meeting voters to wonder: Will I win? What are my chances? 

(He says an opponent said Beck had a 98.5 percent chance of winning. Beck thinks that is wildly optimistic.)

A screen shot from one of his Facebook videos

Field report from Chris Beck:

I have been knocking on doors in Ashland, where the majority of Jackson County Democrats reside. People are friendly, and those who have time to talk will do so.  Some people open the door and exclaim, "I voted for you." I've asked a few people why, and they say my experience, my endorsements (Governor Kitzhaber and former Ashland Mayor, Cathy Shaw) mattered to them. Other people simply say they have voted, not indicating who they voted for, which may mean one of my opponents.  Alas. . . . 

  

The most repeated desires on the doorstep are about defeating Cliff Bentz. Bentz is deeply unpopular with Democrats, but the 45% of non-party-affiliated voters will need to be appealed to, a job I would enjoy taking on.   

 I've worked hard, dove into social media (with some good content I believe), and drove nearly 10,000 miles across the vast district. My late entry into the race has made it a challenge to meet as many people as I would have liked, so if I lose I will conclude that I might have done better had I entered in early January, rather than late February. Also, some voters are uncomfortable with the fact that I had not been living in the District boundaries, even though I have been an Oregon resident my entire life and have had a career that has often involved rural communities and economic development. If I had met more people and had deeper conversations, I am confident that my life experience in Oregon, as a legislator, as a committed public servant, including six years with the Obama Administration, would have allayed most of their concerns.   

Overall, I have a strong statement in the Voters Pamphlet demonstrating my deep experience, and this may be the only information most voters see, so that might be why I eke out a victory.  One of my opponents said they think I have a 98.5% chance of winning. I think that is wildly optimistic, and I'd say it's more like 50/50.  Other opponents bring other worthy lived experiences, as a medical doctor and teacher. It's an interesting stew of people and personalities. Soon we will know, and one of us will have the honor or taking on Mr. Bentz.  

 

[Note: I invite other candidates to send in a quick field report describing what is on their minds and what they are doing. If it is short and interesting, I will publish it. People are still voting. Send it to me at peter.w.sage@gmail.com]

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