Ben Bowman

Ben Bowman was born in Portland, Oregon. He earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Oregon in 2014 and a graduate degree from Stanford University in 2018. His career experience includes working as an innovation and partnership strategist at the Oregon Department of Education.[2]

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Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

My name is Ben Bowman. I grew up attending the Tigard-Tualatin School District and today, I serve as Chair of the Tigard-Tualatin School Board.

My mom was a high school English teacher and my dad worked for the post office. I earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Oregon and his master’s degree in education policy from Stanford University. In my day job, I work in education leading complex policy and operations work at the Oregon Department of Education. Previously, I worked for former Rep. Margaret Doherty, who represented Tigard in the legislature for over a decade and served as Chair of the House Education Committee, and former House Majority Leader Val Hoyle.

I am the first openly LGBTQ+ school board member in TTSD. I am proud that under my leadership (with my colleagues in district leadership), TTSD has posted its highest graduation rates of all time and some of our smallest class sizes ever. Working alongside students and district leaders, I helped remove pay-to-play fees for students and invest in more school counselors, CTE programs, and mental health services. One of the things I am most proud of is co-founded Packed with Pride at the beginning of the pandemic, which grew into one of the largest food distribution programs in the region.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

Lower the cost of living: I support reducing the cost of healthcare and prescription drugs, expanding affordable childcare options, and creating more living-wage jobs to promote economic mobility.Build a world-class public education system: We can lift academic achievement by investing in preschool for all, reading programs, and CTE. We must support educators and lower the cost of higher education.Invest in affordable housing and homelessness services: We must build more housing, make purchasing easier for first-time home buyers, and expand access to mental health and addiction services.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I have always believed that a strong public education system can change the trajectories of students' lives. It's why I ran for the school board, earned my master's in education policy, and work for the Oregon Department of Education. I support rigorous and challenging academic programs, but I also know how powerful sports, the arts, CTE, and activities can be for young people (all three had a big impact on my life). I am also proud that the Tigard-Tualatin School District has served as a state model for empowering student leadership (we've been recognized at the national level for connecting student voice to policy decisions).

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

I look up to former Oregon governor Tom McCall and Bobby Kennedy.

Tom McCall is an Oregon icon--he was authentic, funny, and innovative. He wasn't constrained by traditional party politics (he was a liberal Republican!) and he wasn't afraid to take tough stands (he was willing to make people mad if he believed in something). He helped establish Oregon as a leader in environmental protection (protecting public beaches, establishing land use planning, and passing the bottle bill). He loved Oregon with his whole heart and died fighting to protect it.

Bobby Kennedy is one of the rare figures in American history who was able to transcend divisions in race and class in pursuit of justice. He was a champion for civil rights and a social safety net for the most vulnerable people in this country (despite coming from a prominent and wealthy family). He inspired a generation of Americans to participate in politics and have hope for the future. He also was a man of uncommon courage who demonstrated tremendous personal growth; he changed and evolved as a leader over the course his life before being assassinated (like his brother) during his campaign for president in 1968.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Integrity, first and foremost, is the characteristic that is most important for an elected official. Voters should always know that their elected officials are being honest and upholding their values. Voters may not always agree with me, but I always want them to know where I stand. I also believe having a tireless work ethic is incredibly important for an elected leader. I want to be considered one of the hardest working legislators in the Capitol because I know that is how to get things done. Additionally, I will strive to be a good listener; I want to be someone who is accessible and willing to hear new ideas, criticism, and all good-faith feedback.

What legacy would you like to leave?

My hope is that at the end of my service, I will be able to say that Oregon is a better place. I hope that I will be able to help make life better for all Oregonians, and particularly for Oregon's most vulnerable people like children and seniors. I hope I will succeed in improving our public education system, addressing our mental health and addiction crises, lowering the cost of living for working people, and protecting Oregon's natural beauty.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

The terrorist attacks on the United States on September 11th, 2001. I remember my dad driving my brothers and I to elementary school, shushing us so he could turn up the radio to hear what happened. I also remember a moment of silence (the first one I can remember) in my classroom and not really understanding what was going on, but realizing how serious and sad this was to all of the adults. Later, I remember watching live television when the war in Afghanistan started and feeling very scared; I asked my mom if we were in danger (not understanding that this was all unfolding half a world away).

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

My first real job was helping people register to vote. I did it the summer of my senior year as I was preparing to go off to college. It taught me how to deal with rejection and how to explain politics/elections to new voters. Ultimately I helped hundreds of people get registered to vote so they could cast a ballot in the election.

What is your favorite book? Why?

"The Obstacle is the Way" by Ryan Holiday. This is the book that I give as a graduation gift to seniors. It tells the stories of icons throughout history who have encountered major challenges--but rather than being stymied by them or merely withstanding them, they turned "adversity into advantage."

What do you believe is the ideal relationship between the governor and state legislature?

The governor and the state legislature should have a collaborative working relationship with open lines of communication. They should work together to address the state's challenges and plan for the long-term future of Oregon. However, I also believe the legislature has a responsibility to exercise its authority as a co-equal branch of government by conducting thorough oversight of executive branch programs and safeguarding taxpayer dollars during the budget process.

What do you perceive to be your state's greatest challenges over the next decade?

Our biggest challenge over the next decade will be building a thriving economy that supports working people, promotes economic mobility, and protects our environment. This will require a world-class public education system (from preschool to higher education) that prepares students to succeed in college and/or the workforce. It will mean supporting small business owners and Oregon-based companies so they can grow and create more economic opportunities. It will mean supporting working families by making childcare, housing, health care, and college more affordable. It will also mean passing environmental policies that keep our air and water clean. All of this is deeply complex and challenging work, but I am confident that we can come together to make it happen and deliver for Oregonians.

Do you believe that compromise is necessary or desirable for policymaking?

Yes. Nearly all of the most important policy achievements throughout our history have involved some degree of compromise--people with differing views working together to solve problems. That would be my approach as a legislator. This is why the best policies are born when all stakeholder groups are able to come together and hear each others' goals, ideas, and concerns. We won't always be able to get consensus or agreement, but that doesn't mean we shouldn't put in the effort to make sure everyone has the opportunity to contribute.

I also believe that some things (like moral issues) should not be compromised. I will never compromise my core values or ethics, and I will never vote for something that I believe is bad for Oregon, compromise or not.

Ben Bowman did not complete [the profile publisher]'s 2020 Candidate Connection survey.