G. Mark Norman

G. Mark Norman served in the U.S. Navy from 1980 to 2002. He earned a high school diploma from Keokuk High School, a bachelor's degree from the United States Naval Academy in 1980, and a degree from Iowa State University in 1996. Norman's career experience includes working as a veterinarian.[1]

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I am a Navy veteran, veterinarian, former small-business owner, and longtime Washington County resident. I served on active duty and in the Navy Reserve, retiring as a Captain after 22 years of service. I later practiced veterinary medicine in Oregon for nearly 30 years and helped build a local veterinary hospital that employed dozens of people.

I am not a career politician. I am running for the Oregon House because families, seniors, and small businesses are struggling with rising costs, declining public safety, and a government that too often spends more while delivering less. I will bring practical leadership, accountability, and a problem-solving approach to Salem.

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?

Oregon families are being squeezed by rising taxes, fees, housing costs, utilities, insurance, and everyday expenses. Government must live within its means, prioritize essential services, and demonstrate that existing tax dollars are being used effectively before asking residents for more. I will oppose unnecessary tax increases, reduce burdens on small businesses, demand transparency in government spending, and work to make Oregon a more affordable place to live, work, retire, and raise a family.Every child deserves a strong education focused on reading, writing, mathematics, science, civics, discipline, and career readiness. Oregon continues to spend more while too many students fall behind or miss school altogether. More money without meaningful reform will not solve the problem. I support directing resources toward classrooms, addressing chronic absenteeism, supporting teachers, expanding career and technical education, involving parents, and holding the education system accountable for measurable student outcomes.People deserve to feel safe in their homes, neighborhoods, schools, and businesses. I support fully staffing law enforcement, recruiting and retaining officers, holding repeat offenders accountable, and strengthening partnerships between police, behavioral-health professionals, and treatment providers. Oregon must replace fragmented and ineffective homelessness programs with coordinated services, treatment, accountability, and measurable results. Compassion means helping people recover while also protecting the safety and livability of our communities.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I am especially passionate about education, public safety, small-business growth, veterans’ issues, healthcare access, and animal welfare. I believe schools must focus on strong academic foundations, accountability, career readiness, and parental involvement. I support safe communities, effective addiction and mental-health treatment, and responsible solutions to homelessness. As a veterinarian, former small-business owner, and Navy veteran, I also care deeply about reducing unnecessary regulations, improving government efficiency, supporting veterans and their families, expanding access to affordable healthcare, and ensuring humane, practical animal-welfare policies.