Deb Patterson

Deb Patterson earned a bachelor's and master's degree in music, a master's degree in health administration from Washington University School of Medicine, and a master's degree and doctorate from Eden Theological Seminary.[1] Patterson's career experience includes working as a healthcare administrator, with the senior management team of a multi-hospital health system, the executive director of the International Parish Nurse Resource Center, and the executive director of Northwest Parish Ministries.[1][2] She has served as a member of the Salem Rotary Club, Healthcare for All Oregon, and SEIU 503.[2]

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Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I spent 20 years connecting people with health care and saw far too many people forgo care they needed because they couldn't afford it. As a lifelong advocate for my adult daughter who has special needs, I've also experienced the challenges of navigating our health care system. We can and must do better. I've spent the last several years as an appointed member of Oregon Disabilities Commission, the Marion County Health Advisory Board, and the Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Advisory Committee. On these boards, interacting with leaders at all levels of our state government, I've seen how we can work together to help people - it's similar to my work as a minister, providing support to parishioners and leading the congregation to rally around members when they need us. We must do the same in communities across our state. These are the values that drive my work and these are the values I'll bring to the state Capitol to represent the communities in this district."

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?

Let's work together to build an Oregon that works for everyone. We each need a fair shot - with access to good schools, vocational education and higher education, affordable childcare, healthcare, housing, and secure retirements. I want more people to have access to better healthcare, for less cost. Let's invest for the future in living wage clean energy jobs, renewable resources, green construction and transportation, for a strong economy and healthy environment.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Access to affordable, accessible healthcare for all, services for people with disabilities and seniors, development of small business opportunities, and climate action, along with economic fairness in our economy. I want to work for an Oregon that works for everyone!

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

I'm a fan of Florence Nightengale, who was really data driven, but also put her life on the line to make a difference for people around access to healthcare - and to assure that they got the best quality of care available at the time (and improve it!) I have worked with nurses for many years, and wrote my doctoral thesis on Florence Nightengale, and I want people to know that she is way more than just "the lady with the lamp." She also was an expert at Greek, and wrote a grammar that was used in universities, contributed to the field of mathematics in statistical analysis, and published extensively on public health. She was also a theologian and an avid essayist. A remarkable woman.

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

I have loved all the books written by Democratic presidential candidates in the last 15 or 20 years.

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

Honesty, hard work, collaboration, flexibility, patience, and commitment.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

I'm hardworking, diligent, a fast learner, and a good collaborator. I'm patient, I really like people, and I'm passionately interested in public policy, particularly in the areas mentioned above.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

Listening to others, learning about the issues, showing up and representing the best interests of the people one is elected to serve.

What legacy would you like to leave?

I want to leave office having assured that every Oregonian has access to quality, affordable healthcare. I want more people to have better healthcare with less cost.

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

I was very young when President Kennedy was killed. His assassination, along with Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King's, and Bobby Kennedy's, affected me a great deal. I still feel it's important to put your values on the line.

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

Aside from summer jobs as a college student, my first job I was as a teaching assistant in music in graduate school for two years.

What is your favorite book? Why?

I have a book by a retired minister named Richard Hasler, called, "Surprises Around the Bend: 50 Adventurous Walkers." It's about 50 folks from around the world (past and present) who are dedicated walkers, and the influence that daily practice played or plays in their lives.

If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?

Honestly, I don't read much fiction - I read nonfiction almost exclusively. But the fiction I enjoy tends to be about women who have overcome a lot, and I'm really drawn to literature from around the world. It gives one such a window into the world.

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

During this pandemic, I find myself coming back to that song, "Don't Worry, Be Happy." It makes me smile....

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

There are so many good things to work on in life, and a person has to make choices!

Every state besides Nebraska has two legislative chambers. What do you consider the most important differences between the legislative chambers in your state?

I very much appreciate the checks and balances of the two chambers and the compromises made on most bills to help them get through the chambers with bipartisan support. In Oregon currently, the tenure of many Senators is much longer than that of most Representatives, so they tend to bring more history, which has both pluses and minuses.

Do you believe that it’s beneficial for state legislators to have previous experience in government or politics?

I believe it is important for state legislators to have served in some elected or appointed capacities prior to serving in office, for it helps them to understand the processes involved in crafting legislation and in moving things forward.

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

We are in for quite a budget challenge with a possible (probable?) recession following the pandemic, and there has been a great partisan divide lately. But Oregon has so much potential, and I am confident that we can move forward to a bright future.

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

I believe that there should be good communications on both sides, with a balance of power.

If you are not a current legislator, are there certain committees that you would want to be a part of?

There are several that I would be particularly interested in: Healthcare; Human Services; Education; Labor and Business; and Environment and Natural Resources.

If you are not currently a member of your party’s leadership in the legislature, would you be interested in joining the leadership? If so, in what role?

It's unlikely freshman Senators would be eligible for leadership, but I would be interested, moving forward.

Is there a particular legislator, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after?

While I am sorry for the Ethics situation with which Gov. Kitzhaber became embroiled related to his partner, I very much admired his vision and leadership around access to healthcare for all Oregonians.

Are you interested in running for a different political office (for example, the U.S. Congress or governor) in the future?

Too soon to say.

Both sitting legislators and candidates for office hear many personal stories from the residents of their district. Is there a story that you’ve heard that you found particularly touching, memorable, or impactful?

I have heard so many! But the stories that really pull at me and keep me going are of those who have lost loved ones, and then faced financial ruin due to the expense of healthcare that wasn't covered by adequate insurance.

What would be your top three priorities, if elected?

1) Affordable and accessible quality healthcare for all

2) Improved graduation rates and affordable college and vocational education opportunities

3) Living wage jobs and affordable housing for all[4][5]

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about? Why?

I have worked for 20 years in healthcare advocacy - for a decade as the executive director of an international healthcare organization. I know we can have affordable, accessible, quality healthcare for all here in Oregon, and across the US.Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; invalid names, e.g. too many[5]

[the profile publisher] also asked the candidate a series of optional questions. Deb Patterson answered the following:

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

My hero is Elizabeth Warren, who stands up for public policies that address gross inequities, particularly those which are based on unfair advantages or gaming the system.[5]

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

"This Fight is Our Fight: The Battle to Save America's Middle Class" by Elizabeth Warren. Americans are being played off each other by the very wealthy - we need to stand together and work together for the common good.[5]

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

Honesty, a willingness to work hard, an interest in learning, an ability to listen to and include diverse voices, a sense of humor, and a balanced sense of self.[5]

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

I am a good listener, a quick study, a hard worker, a kind person, and I have a heart for social justice. I'm also able to be fair and listen to and consider differing opinions. And I have 20 years of experience in managing organizations - people, programs, and budgets.[5]

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

To listen to the concerns, vision, and values of their constituents, and to work collaboratively with other elected leaders to move the district and state forward toward the common good - for the people, the environment, and the economy.[5]

What legacy would you like to leave?

I would like to be a part of getting healthcare for all in Oregon, getting 100% of our kids through high school and into college or vocational training programs and then into good jobs, and helping all residents have housing and food security.[5]

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

President Kennedy being shot - I was a young child. It was a scary time as seen through the eyes of a child, and was, of course, devastating for the country.[5]

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

I was a helper for my neighbor's catering business, and I helped her for several years. I still love the hospitality industry, and know how hard folks in catering and restaurants work.[5]

What happened on your most awkward date?

I have been married a long time...[5]

What is your favorite holiday? Why?

I love the 4th of July, because of the home-town parades, the fireworks, the time with friends, the food, and the celebration of that which is wonderful about this country.[5]

What is your favorite book? Why?

It's usually the last one that I'm reading - right now I'm reading about George McGovern.[5]

If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?

I really loved Wonder Woman - smart, strong, and compassionate.[5]

What is your favorite thing in your home or apartment? Why?

My piano, because I love to relax at the keyboard.[5]

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

"This Land is Your Land"[5]

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

I have a daughter with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and it has been a struggle to help her get the services she needed, but it was and is worth every minute to see her succeed. I want to stand for other families who have children living with disabilities.[5]

Do you believe that it's beneficial for state legislators to have previous experience in government or politics?

Yes, and I have experience in several appointed positions, as well as 20 years of experience in senior leadership positions in management.[5]

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

Stable funding for education, healthcare, housing, and job development.[5]

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

One that involves good communication, and mutual support.[5]

Do you believe it's beneficial to build relationships with other legislators? Please explain your answer.

Absolutely. Good government is not a solitary enterprise. It involves collaboration with many stakeholders, and good relationships with other legislators is a key component of that collaboration.[5]

What process do you favor for redistricting?

I favor the state legislature being responsible for redistricting.[5]

If you are not a current legislator, are there certain committees that you would want to be a part of?

I would be most interested in serving on the Senate Heatth Care Committee, Human Services, or Education.[5]

If you are not currently a member of your party's leadership in the legislature, would you be interested in joining the leadership? If so, in what role?

Something to consider for the future....[5]

Is there a particular legislator, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after?

After Elizabeth Warren, I'm a big fan of Claire McCaskill in Missouri and Maxine Waters of California.[5]

Are you interested in running for a different political office (for example, the U.S. Congress or governor) in the future?

No.[5]

Both sitting legislators and candidates for office hear many personal stories from the residents of their district. Is there a story that you've heard that you found particularly touching, memorable, or impactful?

I've visited so many people in their homes, and there are many compelling stories. People struggling with health issues is what I find the most troubling, because I know that the health issue is hard enough, without worrying about possibly losing your home because of the bills.[5]