Suzanne Bonamici

Suzanne Bonamici (D) is running for Congress in Oregon's 1st Congressional District in the district's upcoming special election. Oregon State Senator Bonamici joins a competitive race to fill the seat of Representative David Wu after the congressman's scandal-driven resignation. She is on her way to becoming to a frontrunner candidate with her history as a consumer advocate, defender of women's reproductive rights, and state senator who gets things done.

Background:

• First appointed to the Oregon State Senate in 2008 to represent Washington County; Bonamici was then reelected for a second term in 2010.
• Served one term in the Oregon House of Representatives, representing the state's 34th district, Washington County.
• Worked as a consumer protection attorney for the Federal Trade Commission

Oregon Senate Committee Assignments:

• General Government, Consumer, and Small Business Protection (Chair)
• Senate Committee on Redistricting (Chair)
• Judiciary
• Education and Workforce Development

Bonamici's Positions on Key Issues:

• Bonamici has been a leader in the Oregon House and Senate on consumer protection, advocating on the behalf of Oregon's working families.
• Strong supporter of women's rights and advocate for equal pay.
• Pro-choice and women's reproductive rights, Bonamici will also be a strong voice for affordable access to women's health care. She is also vigorously opposed to parental consent for minors seeking abortion.
• Advocate for marriage equality and lesbian and gay rights; as well as environmental protections.

Prospects: Bonamici is in a crowded race with eight Democrats and five Republicans vying to fill the open congressional seat in Oregon's 1st district. On the Democratic side, state labor commissioner Brad Avakian (who has been preparing for months and raised $200,000 in his first three months campaigning) and State Representative Brad Witt surface as Bonamici's most serious contenders.

Republicans in the race are Rob Cornilles, Pavel Goverman, Jim Greenfield, Lisa Michaels, and Delinda Morgan. Roll Call Politics has asserted that Republicans are at a disadvantage given that Bush and McCain both faced terrible losses in the district.

Opponent: Incumbent Republican Charlie Bass, who defeated Kuster by one percentage point in the 2010 Election. Bass had held the seat from 1994 to 2006 when he was defeated by Paul Hodes.

Other Endorsements: Former Governor Barbara Roberts, Oregon Attorney General John Kroger, EMILY's List, and numerous current and former Oregon state senators and representatives (full list available on the campaign website).

Website: www.bonamiciforcongress.com