Newberg Graphic Online

Thatcher will get a challenger in the GOP spring primary

Government — Doug Heuer said although he has no beefs with the incumbent, Salem needs to ‘tighten its belt’

• By: Amanda Newman  
• Published: 3/13/2010 12:00:00 PM

Photo By: Laurent BonczijkHeuer

   A Newberg man filed last week to run against state Rep. Kim Thatcher (R-Keizer), citing no complaints about the incumbent but rather a desire for change in the Legislature and provide “working-class” representation.
   “I thought I’d throw my hat in the ring and see what I can do,” Douglas Heuer said. “I think they spend too much money down there (in Salem).”
   Heuer, a Republican, will face off with three-term incumbent Thatcher in the May 18 primary. The winner will take on Democratic challenger Jim Dyer of Keizer in the Nov. 2 general election.
   Heuer is a clerk at Nap’s Thriftway who previously worked as a heavy equipment operator for Cascade Steel Rolling Mills and legislative representative for the local chapter of United Steel Workers of America.
   He’s clear about his prior governmental experience — “none” — but said he has other things to bring to the table. His work as union lobbyist gave him an introduction to the legislative world, and he has experience serving on different tax committees. He’s also well versed in the United States and Oregon constitutions and says he represents a broad segment of the population.
   “Kim (Thatcher) did a good job in Salem. I think one of the best things she did was make government a little more transparent,” he said, referencing Thatcher’s 2009 legislation that created a budget    transparency Web site. “(But) I’d like to be able to represent more of the working families.”
   The Kellogg, Idaho, native moved to Newberg in 1961 and graduated from Newberg High School. He went to work for the steel mill and graduated from Linfield College with a bachelor’s degree in management.
   He married 12 years ago and lived in Salem for a few years, but after his wife had to move into a hospital due to ongoing health problems, he returned to Newberg. He found the job at Nap’s with the help of his brother Curtis, who died in the February 2008 boating accident that claimed the lives of three St. Peter Catholic Church members, including the priest. Heuer, also a St. Peter parishioner, is a member of Knights of Columbus.
   “I’d like to contribute the last part of my life toward the public,” he said. Regarding his foray into politics, he explained, “I guess what got me started was the tax issues back in the ‘80s. I read the (U.S.) Constitution and saw they weren’t following it and I just kept educating myself on (tax issues) ... Tax issues have been one of my main focuses.”
   He said that “government keeps expanding,” even in “times of hardship,” and suggested growth should be more regulated, referencing Sen. Jackie Winters (R-Salem)’s proposal to sunset government programs after a specific period of time. He said that although a sales tax would be useful, he “wouldn’t trust” the Legislature with another tax: “It’s just another revenue stream ... it seems once they have a tax, they never really let go of it.”
   Heuer said he would like to see the current income tax collected like the gas tax, with everything taken into account at once and collected through employers, so there would be no need to file tax return forms.
Health care and prison populations are also important issues for Heuer. He wants to see everyone covered with “a basic plan” of health care and thinks “they put too many people in jail — we’re one of the highest countries for prison populations.” He said a different solution for nonviolent offenders, especially those convicted of drug-related crimes, might be in order — such as giving them treatment and health care. He also suggested that hemp would be a good tool for improving the economy and increasing production, as it has many industrial uses.
Heuer said he plans to talk with voters throughout the area about his candidacy, and has already seen a lot of support.
   “(I offer) a working-class type of representation. I know it’s hard for families to earn money and I think tightening of the belt and maybe some job creation (would help),” he said. “I think that keeping government within a budget is very important and ... coming from more of the working class, I can understand the need for belt tightening and the government to conserve its resources.”

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