Kevin Burton

Kevin Burton's career experience includes working as a teacher.[1]

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I am a life-long Oregonian. I was born in eastern Oregon, Nyssa specifically. I have also lived in Salem, Damascus (Portland area), and North Bend. I have lived in Eugene since 1986. My wife and I have been married for 40 years, and we have three sons and four grandchildren. I like hunting, fishing, hiking, and camping. I have also been an American Civil War re-enactor since 1995. I was a farm kid, helping with livestock and working in our family’s plum orchard. I also worked on a charter fishing boat, participated in the Salmon-Trout Enhancement Program, and replanted trees after logging. This has given me a lot of experience on the historic foundations of Oregon’s economy.

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?

Education: We cannot continue to be in the bottom 5 while we rank 15th in spending.A stable economy must be a priority.

Affordability: prices, taxes, and fees and increasing faster than incomes are.

Jobs: businesses are leaving Oregon by the thousands, and those that are staying are saving money by cutting employee costs.

The state budget: citizens need to learn to live within their means. The state needs to do that as well and not assume it can spend money anyway it wants.Homelessness: we need to be compassionate with our neighbors who are struggling, but we cannot afford to do that if we are also advertising that anyone can come to Oregon and be provided for.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Oregon's economy and lifestyle has traditionally been about commercial and recreational fishing, hunting, timber, and tourism. We need to return to these roots.

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

My father, a Marine and a Christian showed me that a man can, and should, be both strong and kind.

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

Most importantly, elected officials should consider themselves servants of their constituents and of the state, county, etc. that they govern.

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

Listen to my constituents. Respond promptly and politely to their communications. Be well informed on the issues that affect the lives of constituents and those who will be affected by my decisions. Whenever possible, make decisions that will improve the lives of those affected by them.

What legacy would you like to leave?

I want the people of Oregon to remember me as someone who truly cared for and served the state.

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

I worked stocking shelves and bagging groceries at Albertsons. Later I was the frozen foods manager. I worked there for four years, from my junior year in high school and through my time at the community college. I quit to move to Eugene to attend the University of Oregon.

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

The governor is the leader of the state with the responsibility of representing it to the people and to those in other states. However, the governor must also remember that it is the legislature's right and responsibility to make laws. The governor should not use executive orders and the choosing of administrative heads to override this responsibility.

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

Power usage. Our reliance on hydroelectricity has meant we haven't needed to rely on coal, but removing dams has limited this. As this is happening, our energy demands are increasing at a far greater rate than the development of alternative sources of energy.

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

Sometimes. Clearly no one will get everything he or she wants when putting together a bill and compromise is necessary; however, other times legislators must stick to principles regardless of how other may perceive them.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

Oregon Right to Life PAC

Stand for Health Freedom

Darin Harbick

Ed Diehl-Oregon House District 17

Lucetta Elmer-Oregon House District 24

Alek Skarlatos-Oregon House District 4

What was the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember?

The moon landing