Check the candidates’ campaign funds sources.
Orestar (Oregon Secretary of State’s government page) has the information; follow the links to the proper page, and then type in the names of the people and the names of the PACs contributing to each campaign.
For those willing to take the time, go to the Secretary of State website. Type in the candidate’s name in Committee/Filer Name. Click Submit. You will receive a list of campaigns. Click on the most likely. Will usually have “Friends of ..” or “Elect”. The next screen will show the Statement of Organization. Under “Additional Committee Information”, click on “Candidate Finance Activity”. All contributions, expenditures, and loans will be listed. Candidates can keep their campaign account open for multiple elections, so be careful when reviewing transaction dates.
Also, candidates can receive donations from committees that support them. That can make it very difficult to identify who donates to those committees.
Do candidates own companies that are directly affected by county department rules and laws?
Pay attention to candidates who own companies that are directly impacted by county code and ordinances. Would those candidates, if elected, benefit by controlling codes and ordinances affecting their businesses?
What companies do candidates own?
Begin your research here:
Oregon Secretary of State Corporation Division business name search Find a Business | Oregon Secretary of State
You can find businesses’ registrations, which include the names of businesses. Of all the current county candidates, only three were registered business owners, two being involved in land development or housing and one with logging, mining, and firefighting companies.
Are candidates business partners?
If so, what kinds of businesses do they own together?
What might that mean if both are elected to office?
Commissioners have the final say on who receives state economic development grants, including yearly Oregon lottery dollars, as well as other state and federal grants.
Consider the companies owned by candidates and how that ownership might affect where those grants go. The Grants Pass Tribune has an article asking pertinent questions about one candidate whose companies receive grants approved by county commissioners.
Is one candidate vastly outspending others?
How many full-page ads? Courier, Sneak Preview, Illinois Valley News
How many very large and expensive campaign signs?
Do the ads list who pays for them (legally required)? That information links to campaigns’ donations.
Have any candidates received county funds in the past few years, and if so, what have they produced with those funds?
Did the recipients present a plan to the county to receive those funds? Did they follow the plan? Or did they ask for the money on promises to provide services?
Were any recipients hired by the county to complete tasks? Were the tasks completed? If not, was the money refunded to the county?
In short, when making your choices for county commissioners, consider who might gain the most business-related benefits (beyond salary) by being in a position to make financial and regulatory decisions.
