Statesman Journal mini-questionnaire for 2016 Primary Election

Thank you for responding to this questionnaire.

Why this matters: The Statesman Journal Editorial Board will use this questionnaire in deciding whether and whom to endorse for the May 17 General Election. Reporters, who operate separately from the Editorial Board, may use these answers in writing stories. Your answers may be published on StatesmanJournal.com and/or in the print newspaper.

We also ask that you respond to every question, instead of simply attaching campaign materials, resumes, etc. If you wish, you are welcome to send us lists of supporters, a resume, etc., in addition to this questionnaire.

Please return the finished questionnaire to the Editorial Board as an email or an attached Word document to Salemed@StatesmanJournal.com. (Handwritten, pdf, WordPerfect or fax responses don’t work.)

Important: Please return the questionnaire by the end of Wednesday, April 20.

Questions? Contact Editorial Page Editor Dick Hughes, 503-399-6727, dhughes@StatesmanJournal.com, or Editorial Assistant Nancy Harrington, 503-399-6864, nharring@StatesmanJournal.com.

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Your name as listed on the ballot:

Age: 39 until May 25th!

(If your age will change before May 31, please indicate your birthday. We want to ensure we use accurate ages in pre- and post-election editorials and news coverage.)

City/town of residence: Dallas

Political party, if this is a partisan office: Republican

Position you are seeking (name of position, district number, etc.): State Representative House District 23

Are you currently a full-time resident within the boundaries of the specific area (ward, district, county, etc.) that you seek to represent?Yes

Number of current, consecutive years living within the district you seek to represent: 11

Family (name of spouse/partner, number and ages of children if at home or number of grown children): Ray (husband), Mary Ann (age 10), Dane (age 8)

Your education (high school, trade, college, post-baccalaureate; indicate any degrees you earned): Dulles High School (Sugar Land, TX), Art Institute of Houston: AA in Multimedia/Design, Corban University: BS Psychology/Family Studies

If employed, current occupation, employer and job duties: Founder and Director of “Bambinos”, (Bambinos, Oregon). We’re a non-profit, serving low-income families in Polk County with diapers, formula, crisis intervention, extracurricular scholarships and mentoring. We serve 100% with volunteers and private donations. We have helped over 1000 children in Polk County since 2008.

Previous employers and when: Limited Brands management, Houston, TX, 2000-2004

Military service and when: My husband has been serving full-time in the Oregon Army National Guard since 2009. He is currently an AGR officer in the Engineer Battalion. He served in Afghanistan in 2011. I served as a Family Readiness Group Leader in 2011/12 during/after his Afghanistan deployment and 2014/15 during my his command of 162 EN CO. My dad and brother are also retired military veterans.

Volunteer/civic/religious service and when:Valley Baptist in Perrydale: 2004-2011Bambinos: 2008-presentDallas City Council: 2011-2014Grace Preschool and Kindergarten volunteer: 2009-2012Grace Community Church in Dallas: 2011-presentPolk County Commission for Children and Families Board Member: 2011/12Oregon Army National Guard Family Readiness Group Leader: 2011/12, 2014/15Freedomfest, 4th of July celebration in Dallas, co-founder, 2013-presentFaith Christian School volunteer: 2012-presentDallas Area Chamber of Commerce Public Policy Committee: 2015-present

Please list all public offices to which you’ve been elected, and when: Dallas City Council, 2011-2014

Please list any unsuccessful candidacies for public office, and when: I was nominated in the IPO primary to run as a Republican candidate in the 2014 general election, but decided to wait until the 2016 Republican primary (there is a Statesman Journal article about this)

Other prior political and government experience:Dallas City Council: 2011-2014, including the following committees: Budget, Economic Development, Public Safety, Public Works, Administration, Building and Grounds, Urban RenewalPolk County Commission for Children and Families Board Member: 2011/12Oregon Army National Guard Family Readiness Group Leader: 2011/12, 2014/15Dallas Area Chamber of Commerce Public Policy Committee: 2015-present

If you are running for a position that involves a governing board in Oregon – such as city council, county board of commissioners, Legislature or State Land Board – how many meetings of that board have you attended in person during 2015 and 2016? How many have you watched online or on TV, if applicable?

I have volunteered for my Senator during the 2015 and 2016 sessions. I have experience answering constituent emails, phone calls, and basic office functions. I read as much as possible about current state issues, and I attended a 2016 public hearing in support of Veterans receiving dedicated lottery funds. I watch some floor sessions (especially minimum wage) and committee sessions remotely. I was also a guest speaker at the Capitol’s 2015 Military Family Appreciation Day.

How the public can reach your campaign (remember that this information will be made public):

Mail address: PO Box 553 Dallas, OR 97338

E-mail address: Contact@BethJonesHD23.com

Web site URL: www.BethJonesHD23.com

Phone: 503-508-6043

Facebook: Beth Jones for Oregon HD 23

Other social media:

Please limit your response to each of the following questions to about 75 words.

1. To an outsider, how would you describe the region you wish to represent -- geographically, economically, politically and socially? House District 23 is a beautiful, rural district located between Salem and the coast. Many people in our district commute to other areas for work. (Salem, McMinnville, Corvallis…) Our economy has suffered with the decline of harvesting timber, but our future looks bright. Building permits and industry are on the upswing once again. We are a predominantly agricultural, conservative district with traditional family values.

2. What are the positives and negatives of this region (ward, district, county or state) that you wish to represent? Positives: Natural beauty, strong sense of community, wineries, low-crimeNegatives: Distance from I5 is not conducive to large industries, decline of timber industry, infrastructure in need of repair

3. What specific skills and experiences do you bring to the position, especially ones that would help turn those negatives into positives?

I have been taught over the past decade (from other community leaders) how to work with a variety of people to get things done for the better of our community, despite party affiliations. Being on a nine-member city council taught me the importance and value of group problem solving. Serving on the Economic Development Committee and Chamber Public Policy Committee taught me the importance of small businesses to our economy. I am more concerned with solutions than I am with partisan politics. There will always be areas of disagreement, but I choose to seek areas of agreement and cooperation.

4. What separates you from your opponent(s)? Be specific.

My commitment to being a servant leader in our community sets me apart from my opponent. I also have years of experience with poverty and our welfare system. The non-profit I began in 2008 has served over 1000 low-income Polk County children through volunteerism and private donations. I am an Army wife with a passion for serving our veterans and military families. When I see a need, I roll up my sleeves and get to work. I have a background of collaborating with others to problem solve.

5. Please list five specific accomplishments that you have achieved in politics or civic affairs:1.) Founder of a non-profit that has served over 1000 Polk County children, and continues to thrive off private donations and volunteers only 2.) Co-founder of Freedomfest 4th of July celebration in Dallas 3.) I organized the effort to present the need for a Polk County Veteran

Services Officer (VSO) to the local veterans and county commissioners… we are now budgeted to serve our veterans in this way beginning in January 2017! 4.) In 2014 I was awarded the “Good Samaritan Award” by the Dallas Area Chamber of Commerce 5.) In 2010 I was awarded the “20 Under 40 Award” by the Statesman Journal 6.) I was the fourth female city councilor elected in the history of Dallas 7.) I am proud to raise the next generation of public servants; in everything I do, and in every way I serve, my children are with me, learning to love and serve others

6. How much will your Primary Election campaign cost? (be specific)I am very proud to say it will cost less than $5000. I have been door-knocking in all 7 cities in my district since September 2015. I have many friends and family who have contributed their time to make my campaign a success! My goal is to win the primary with less than $1 spent per vote. I am fiscally conservative in ALL areas of my life and work! (and my campaign account has never been in the negatives, I spend within my means)

7. Have you ever been convicted of a crime, been disciplined by a professional licensing board/organization or had an ethics violation filed against you? If so, please give the details. No

8. Have you ever filed for bankruptcy, been delinquent on your taxes or other major accounts, or been sued personally or professionally? If so, please give the details. No

9. What are the three most important issues you would address if elected, and how? (75 words for each issue)

A. Economic Development : I would be looking for legislation that lessens the regulations and burdens on businesses. We need businesses to grow and thrive in order to create more employment opportunities. I also believe a solid infrastructure is a necessary part to economic development. Passing a transportation package should be a priority in 2017. It’s going to be a challenge, and will require cooperation from both parties.

B. Education : Oregon’s graduation rate is an embarrassment to the state. We have to work with law-makers and educators to figure out how to get funds moving from the top of the education structure to the classrooms. We need smaller class sizes and more school days. We need to spend less time teaching to the Smarter Balanced assessment, and more time allowing teachers to be creative with their curriculum. We need to encourage school districts and local industries to partner in providing job skills and training to high schoolers. If we don’t get these kids excited about learning, and their future employment opportunities, we’ll continue to see low graduation rates.

C. Transparency and Accountability : I know a lot of state workers, in a variety of departments. One of my favorite questions to ask them is, do you see waste and abuse of taxpayer money in your department? I have never had anyone say no. They all see it. We need strong

whistleblower protections and maybe even incentives to reporting waste and abuse of funds. No one knows better than the employees working in it day after day.

10. What do you see as other important issues?

DHS/foster care, parental rights in health care, homelessness, housing, veteran and military family support… if my constituents believe an issue is important, it’s my duty to view it as important also

11. What online and/or print publications do you regularly read to keep abreast of issues in the district you seek to represent?

Itemizer Observer, Statesman Journal, Oregonian

12. Any skeletons in your closet or other potentially embarrassing information that you should disclose before it comes up in the campaign? Anything (including health issues) that would affect your ability to serve your full term? Any changes in your life situation that are contemplated or expected before the election or before you would take office?

No… Well, I have a Neil Diamond collection and that could be embarrassing if exposed

Thank you. Please return this questionnaire to the Editorial Board as an attached Word document to Salemed@StatesmanJournal.com by April 20, 2016.