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Senator Deb Patterson fights for Oregon’s future because she knows that we can move forward together.
As a healthcare leader, Deb saw too many people skip the care they needed simply because they couldn’t afford it. That’s why she’s committed to ensuring every Oregonian has access to affordable, high-quality healthcare.
Deb knows that strong schools are the foundation of a strong future. She’s seen firsthand how chronic underfunding impacts our students and shortchanges our communities. She’s standing up for better funding, better outcomes, and brighter futures.
And when it comes to our planet's future, Deb believes we must act boldly to reduce our emissions. We must also prepare for disasters, invest in climate resilience, and create new jobs that support both our economy and our environment.
“These times are tough. But our community is tougher. I won’t stop fighting for new and greater opportunities for every Oregonian.”
Priorities
I am fighting to lower costs for working families, support students and local schools, and push back against President Trump's overreach. I am committed to passing legislation to hold ICE accountable and working to protect thousands of Oregonians' healthcare and food assistance from Trump's cuts. Here is an overview of my record and priorities:
AFFORDABILITY
I understand the struggles facing Oregon families. As the cost of essentials like gas and groceries keep climbing, I will continue fighting to hold price-gouging corporations accountable, take on utility companies to lower rates, and protect access to healthcare for over one million Oregonians on the Oregon Health Plan.
While the President’s tariffs, inflation, and Iran war jack up our prices, I am committed to putting the needs of Oregonians first and reducing costs that hit the kitchen table. I passed landmark consumer protection legislation that holds data centers accountable to pay for their own energy costs, so Oregonians won't have to foot the bill for data centers' energy use. And after President Trump signed his billionaire tax breaks into law, I supported the largest increase in the Earned Income Tax Credit in state history, lowering taxes for more than 200,000 working families.
As chair of the Senate Healthcare Committee, I’m focused on reducing healthcare costs and protecting insurance coverage for Oregonians. I passed landmark legislation to cap insulin prices, and I know there’s more we can do in Salem to hold big pharma accountable and bring down healthcare costs for Oregon seniors and families.
In the 2026 session, I voted to pass HB4061, which set up a program to push back against corporate price-gouging, algorithmic/AI-driven pricing software that artificially inflates rent and goods, and small-business tariff relief. I will continue putting family budgets first by tackling the root causes of high prices at the cash register.
HOMELESSNESS
We need to do more to address Salem's homelessness crisis. That's why I fought for more than $9 million for affordable housing, public safety, and other resources for Salem, Independence, and Monmouth to make our communities safer and help unhoused residents find stability.
As your State Senator, I backed a $100 million investment to build and preserve affordable housing, and with several development projects approved and ready to break ground, these investments will improve the quality of life for thousands of Oregonians.
Additionally, I served on the Senate Housing and Development Committee, helping secure funding for local shelter and transitional initiatives in the Mid-Willamette Valley, including the Salem Navigation Center, the Center for Hope and Safety, and Arches. I will continue to fight to expand affordable housing, cut red tape to speed up development, and support mental health & behavioral health professionals so everyone can get the care and treatment they need.
EDUCATION
Every child deserves a strong start in a safe classroom. I have championed historic investments in our public schools. I am pushing for smaller class sizes and to make sure school funding is going where it should so that students get the resources they need to succeed and taxpayers' money is well spent.
Higher education must also be within reach. I have secured scholarships for new teachers at Western Oregon University and invested in local vocational and technical education, because whether students pursue college or skilled trades, they deserve opportunities to succeed.
HEALTHCARE
Healthcare is a human right and a basic economic security net, not a luxury. I am committed to protecting a woman's fundamental right to control her own body. Following the federal government’s attack on reproductive rights, I led the way to ensure that Planned Parenthood clinics have the funding they need.
As a director of a healthcare nonprofit, I saw too many people forego care because they couldn't afford it. That's why I am taking on Big Pharma and special interests to expand access to healthcare, cap insulin prices, and stop big corporations from raising prices to pad their profits.
In early 2026, I led the passage of legislation to eliminate cost barriers for cervical cancer screenings and necessary follow-up care. I also voted to lower out-of-pocket barriers for general cancer detection and treatment.
In order to have a strong, high-functioning healthcare system, I support initiatives like Future Ready Oregon, which directed $200 million toward workforce development to train and retain critical healthcare professionals. Supporting our healthcare professionals is essential in protecting access to care across our state.
Whether it's accessing life-saving medication, preventive care, or reproductive services, I will continue to fight to ensure every Oregonian receives the care they need, when they need it.
