Kurt Schrader

Walter Kurt Schrader (born October 19, 1951) is an American politician serving as the U.S. Representative for Oregon's 5th congressional district since 2009. A member of the Democratic Party, his district covers Salem and Newport. Schrader previously served in both houses of the Oregon Legislative Assembly from 1997 to 2008.

Kurt Schrader
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Oregon's 5th district
Incumbent
Assumed office January 3, 2009
Preceded by	Darlene Hooley
Member of the Oregon Senate from the 20th district
In office January 13, 2003 – December 18, 2008[1]
Preceded by	Verne Duncan
Succeeded by	Martha Schrader
Member of the Oregon House of Representatives from the 23rd district
In office January 13, 1997 – January 13, 2003
Preceded by	Jerry Grisham
Succeeded by	Wayne Scott
Personal details
Born	October 19, 1951 Bridgeport, Connecticut, U.S.
Political party	Democratic
Spouse(s)	Martha Northam ​ ​ (m. 1975; div. 2011)​ Susan Mora ​ (m. 2016)​
Children	5
Education	Cornell University (BA) University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign (BS, DVM)
Signature
Website	House website

Early life, education, and early career

Schrader was born in Connecticut and received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Cornell University in 1973. While at Cornell, Schrader met Martha Northam and the two were married in 1975.[2] Schrader earned his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from the University of Illinois in 1977. A year later, the Schraders moved to Oregon, and Kurt opened the Clackamas County Veterinary Clinic in Oregon City, to begin his veterinary practice.[2]

Schrader served for 16 years on the Canby Planning Commission.

Oregon legislature

Elections

Before winning his first election in 1996, Schrader served four terms in the Oregon House of Representatives. Schrader ran for the Oregon House of Representatives in 1994, where he lost to Republican Jerry Grisham in the general election by 38 votes.[3] In 1996, Schrader ran again; and this time defeated Paul Kraxburger.[4] He was subsequently reelected to the House in 1998 and 2000.

In 2002, Schrader ran for the Oregon State Senate seat vacated by the retiring Verne Duncan, representing the 20th district in southwestern Clackamas County, including the cities of Barlow, Canby, Gladstone, Johnson City, Oregon City and portions of Milwaukie. He defeated fellow Oregon House member Kathy Lowe in a contentious Democratic primary, and then faced no Republican opposition in the general election.[5] Martha Schrader was the Democratic nominee to succeed her husband, but lost in the general election to Wayne Scott.[5] She served as a Clackamas County commissioner until 2009, when she was appointed by the same commission (with Martha recusing herself from voting) to replace her husband in the State Senate.[6]

Committee assignments

In the Oregon Senate, Schrader served as co-chair of the Joint Ways and Means Committee in the 2003[7] and 2005 sessions, as well as chair of the Interim Joint Legislative Audit Committee in the 2005 session. To prepare for his U.S. House seat, Schrader resigned effective December 17, 2008.[1]

U.S. House of Representatives

2008

In May 2008, Schrader won the Democratic nomination for Oregon's 5th congressional district for the seat being vacated by Darlene Hooley.[8] In the general election, Schrader defeated Republican Mike Erickson, winning election to the U.S. House.[9] Schrader won the election with 54 percent of the vote to Erickson's 38 percent. Schrader won all seven of the counties in the 5th congressional district, though he posted a plurality win in Polk County.

Schrader during the 111th Congress

2010

Schrader was challenged by Republican nominee and Oregon State Representative Scott Bruun and Pacific Green nominee Chris Lugo. Despite several polls showing Bruun ahead and pollster Nate Silver of FiveThirtyEight predicting Schrader would likely lose his bid for reelection, the final vote tally had Schrader winning by a fairly comfortable five-point margin, picking up 51% of the vote to Bruun's 46%. It was the closest House race in Oregon in 2010, a year in which Republicans picked up at least 63 House seats, but only one on the West Coast.

2012

Schrader won re-election 54.1% to 42.6%.

2014

Schrader won 53.9% to 39.4%

2016

Schrader won 53.6% to 43.1%. He was absent from the Congressional swearing-in on January 3, 2017, because he was on his honeymoon. He was the only member of Congress not to be sworn in that day.[10]

Tenure

Schrader voted for the Budget Control Act. He voted both in favor of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and for funding SCHIP.[11][12]

Schrader is a political moderate, breaking with his party more frequently than 63% of the Democratic Caucus.[13]

On December 17, 2009, Schrader announced that he would become a member of the Blue Dog Coalition.[14][15]

Schrader was ranked as the 50th most bipartisan member of the U.S. House of Representatives during the 114th United States Congress (and the most bipartisan member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Oregon) in the Bipartisan Index created by The Lugar Center and the McCourt School of Public Policy that ranks members of the United States Congress by their degree of bipartisanship (by measuring the frequency each member's bills attract co-sponsors from the opposite party and each member's co-sponsorship of bills by members of the opposite party).[16] In December 2016, he severely criticized the election of Nancy Pelosi as House Minority Leader. "I'm very worried we just signed the Democratic Party's death certificate for the next decade and a half," he said.[17]

Abortion

Representative Schrader is pro-choice and has received a 100 rating from both Planned Parenthood and the National Abortion and Reproductive Rights Action League.[18] In May 2012, Schrader opposed and voted against the Prenatal Nondiscrimination Act of 2012, introduced by Republican Representative Trent Franks of Arizona.[19] The bill proposed imposing criminal penalties for giving abortions in special cases, notably when based on gender, race or color of the child or parent.[20]

Environment

Schrader has received a score of 66% from Environment America and an 83% from the Sierra Club for his environmental positions.[18] The League of Conservation Voters gave him a score of 93. Schrader, along with U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, helped award a grant in September 2012 from the Department of Energy to the Northwest National Marine Renewable Energy Center (NNMREC). The grant will be used to create a new ocean energy test facility to test wave energy.[21]

Health care

Schrader received a 100% rating from the Children's Health Fund. In 2016, he received an 86% from American Public Health Association.[18] He supports the Affordable Care Act. Schrader is the co-chair (along with Pennsylvania Representative Allyson Schwartz) of the New Dem Health Care Task Force, which set forth an agenda of "more effectively implementing health care policy in this country that improves payment and delivery systems."[22]

In July 2017, Schrader led a group of ten House Democrats who proposed a plan to improve Obamacare. The plan included a $15 billion "annual reinsurance fund to pay health insurers that enroll higher-cost, sicker individuals."[23]

Agriculture regulation

In March 2017, Schrader told a district audience that the Trump administration seemed determined to deregulate agriculture. He admitted that agriculture regulations "were a bit of an overreach," causing problems for both dairy and dirt farmers.[24]

Veterinary medicine

Schrader coauthored the Veterinary Medicine Mobility Act of 2014 (H.R. 1528; 113th Congress), a bill that would amend the Controlled Substances Act to clarify that veterinarians are not required to have separate registrations to dispense controlled substances outside of their principal place of business, such as when treating animals on a farm.[25][26][27]

In 2010, Schrader told a magazine for veterinarians that being a veterinarian "gives you almost an immediate cache[t] with both the animal welfare folks and the livestock folks," enabling one to "intercede and broker solutions to problems that ordinarily would be very difficult for people to handle." He also said that it was good he had attended veterinary college and "learned how to study 24/7, because that's what I have been doing in Congress since I got here."[28]

Gun control

In December 2017, Schrader was one of only six House Democrats to support legislation allowing concealed handgun licensees to carry their weapons in all 50 states. He is one of the few Democrats to receive funding from the NRA. Schrader has received 2,500 dollars in donations.[29]

Minimum wage bill

In July 2019, Schrader was one of six Democrats in the House of Representatives to oppose a bill which would incrementally increase the federal minimum wage from $7.25 to $15.00 an hour by 2025.

Schrader speaking to members of the Oregon Army National Guard, 2017

Committee assignments

• United States House Committee on Energy and Commerce
  • House Subcommittee on Health
  • House Subcommittee on Energy

Caucus memberships

• Veterinary Medicine Caucus (Co-Chair)[30]
• Problem Solvers Caucus
• Congressional Task Force on Down Syndrome
• Congressional Diabetes Caucus
• Democratic Caucus Seniors Task Force
• Public Education Caucus
• Career & Technical Education Caucus
• Congressional Arts Caucus[31]
• Congressional Ports Caucus
• Congressional Native American Caucus
• House Paper and Packaging Caucus (Co-Chair)
• General Aviation Caucus
• Congressional Beef Caucus
• Congressional Franchise Caucus
• Taiwan Caucus
• Singapore Caucus

• Blue Dog Coalition[32]
• New Democrat Coalition[33]
• Congressional Western Caucus[34]

Electoral history

Oregon's 5th congressional district: Results 2008–2018[35]

Year		Democratic	Votes	Pct		Republican	Votes	Pct		3rd Party	Party	Votes	Pct		3rd Party	Party	Votes	Pct		3rd Party	Party	Votes	Pct		3rd Party	Party	Votes	Pct		3rd Party	Party	Votes	Pct
2008		Kurt Schrader	181,577	54.3%		Mike Erickson	128,297	38.3%		Sean Bates	Independent	6,830	2.0%		Douglas Patterson	Constitution	6,558	2.0%		Alex Polikoff	Pacific Green	5,272	1.6%		Steve Milligan	Libertarian	4,814	1.4%		Write-ins		1,326	<1.0%
2010		Kurt Schrader	145,319	51.2%		Scott Bruun	130,313	46.0%	*	Chris Lugo	Pacific Green	7,557	2.7%	*	Write-ins		367	<1.0%
2012		Kurt Schrader	177,229	54.0%		Fred Thompson	139,223	42.4%		Christina Jean Lugo	Pacific Green	7,516	2.3%		Raymond Baldwin	Constitution	3,600	1.1%		Write-ins		402	<1.0%
2014		Kurt Schrader	150,944	53.7%		Tootie Smith	110,332	39.3%		Marvin Sandnes	Independent	7,674	2.7%		Raymond Baldwin	Constitution	6,208	2.2%		Daniel K. Souza	Libertarian	5,198	1.8%		Write-ins		732	<1.0%
2016		Kurt Schrader	199,505	53.5%	**	Colm Willis	160,443	43.0%		Marvin Sandnes	Pacific Green	12,542	3.4%		Write-ins		618	<1.0%
2018		Kurt Schrader	197,187	55.0%	**	Mark Callahan	149,887	41.8%		Daniel K. Souza	Libertarian	6,054	1.7%		Marvin Sandnes	Pacific Green	4,802	1.3%		Write-ins		539	<1.0%
2020		Kurt Schrader	234,863	51.9%		Amy Ryan Courser	204,372	45.1%		Matthew Rix	Libertarian	12,640	2.8%		Write-ins		771	<1.0%

* In the 2010 election, Scott Bruun was co-nominated by the Oregon Independent Party and Chris Lugo was co-nominated by the Oregon Progressive Party.[36]
** In the 2016 and 2018 elections, Kurt Schrader was co-nominated by the Oregon Independent Party.[37][38]

Personal life

Schrader and former Oregon state senator Martha Schrader divorced in 2011.[2][39] Every one of Schrader's predecessors in the 5th district has also divorced while serving in that office: Denny Smith, Mike Kopetski, Jim Bunn and Darlene Hooley.[40] He has five children.[41] On December 31, 2016, Schrader married Pepco executive and former lobbyist Susan Mora.[42] He is an Episcopalian.[43]

Schrader's district residence is the Kraft-Brandes-Culberston Farmstead in Canby, also known as Three Rivers Farm, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.[44]

References

1. "Schrader Submits Resignation to Secretary of State". Salem News. Retrieved December 22, 2008.
2. Kohler, Vince (May 1, 1997). "Vet makes a house call". The Oregonian.
3. Hunsberger, Brent (November 11, 1996). "More absentees vote but alter few races". The Oregonian.
4. Kohler, Vince (November 15, 1994). "Grisham wins by 38 votes". The Oregonian.
5. Mayes, Steve (May 22, 2002). "Schraders ahead in legislative races". The Oregonian.
6. "Martha Schrader will replace husband in State Senate". The Oregonian. January 9, 2009. Retrieved January 10, 2009.
7. "Senator Kurt Schrader". Oregon State Legislature. Archived from the original on December 11, 2004. Retrieved April 14, 2007.
8. "Schrader wins 5th District Democratic nomination". OregonLive.com. May 20, 2008. Retrieved May 20, 2008.
9. "Schrader wins 5th District". OregonLive.com. November 4, 2008. Retrieved November 4, 2008.
10. Friedman, Gordon R.; Oregon Congressman Kurt Schrader misses his own swearing-in; Oregon Live; January 4, 2017; http://www.oregonlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2017/01/oregon_congressman_kurt_schrad_1.html
11. http://www.thepoliticalguide.com/Profiles/House/Oregon/Kurt_Schrader/Views/
12. http://www.ontheissues.org/House/Kurt_Schrader.htm
13. "House Voting with Party Scores, 111th Congress". Washington Post. Archived from the original on September 14, 2010. Retrieved September 14, 2010.
14. "Members". Blue Dog Coalition. Retrieved February 7, 2018.
15. "Blue Dogs Welcome New Members" (PDF). Blue Dog Coalition. December 17, 2009. Retrieved December 17, 2009.
16. The Lugar Center - McCourt School Bipartisan Index (PDF), The Lugar Center, March 7, 2016, retrieved April 30, 2017
17. Huetteman, Emmarie; Nancy Pelosi Beats Back House Democratic Leadership Challenge; New York Times; November 30, 2016; https://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/30/us/politics/nancy-pelosi-house-democrats-tim-ryan.html
18. http://votesmart.org/candidate/evaluations/10813/kurt-schrader#.UKrmkOOe9yc
19. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on November 14, 2012. Retrieved November 20, 2012.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
20. http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/112/hr3541
21. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on November 21, 2012. Retrieved November 20, 2012.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
22. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on November 10, 2012. Retrieved November 20, 2012.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
23. Schrader Offers Democratic Plan to Repair Obamacare; CFM; July 14, 2017; http://www.cfm-online.com/federal-lobbying-blog/2017/7/14/schrader-offers-democratic-plan-to-repair-obamacare
24. Wolfe, Jordan; Rep. Kurt Schrader hosts town hall 12 hours after D.C. trip; Tillamook Headlight Herald; March 27, 2017; https://www.tillamookheadlightherald.com/news/rep-kurt-schrader-hosts-town-hall-hours-after-d-c/article_28cc765c-1337-11e7-b042-1f7703e3e098.html
25. "H.R. 1528 - Summary". United States Congress. Retrieved July 7, 2014.
26. "CBO - H.R. 1528". Congressional Budget Office. Retrieved July 7, 2014.
27. Kellogg, Barry (May 15, 2013). "Protect Mobile Veterinary Services and Public Health and Safety: Support the Veterinary Medicine Mobility Act". Humane Society Veterinary Medicine Association. Retrieved July 8, 2014.
28. Verdon, Daniel R.; Inside politics: An interview with U.S. Congressman and veterinarian Kurt Schrader; Veterinary News; June 24, 2010; http://veterinarynews.dvm360.com/inside-politics-interview-with-us-congressman-and-veterinarian-kurt-schrader
29. Mapes, Jeff; Oregon Rep. Kurt Schrader Casts A Rare Democratic Vote For Concealed Carry Gun Bill; Oregon Public Broadcasting; December 6, 2017; https://www.opb.org/news/article/oregon-rep-kurt-schrader-vote-concealed-carry-gun-bill/
30. "Members of the Veterinary Medicine Caucus". Veterinary Medicine Caucus. Retrieved October 12, 2018.
31. "Membership". Congressional Arts Caucus. Archived from the original on June 12, 2018. Retrieved March 13, 2018.
32. "Members". Blue Dog Coalition. Retrieved December 28, 2020.
33. "Members". New Democrat Coalition. Archived from the original on February 8, 2018. Retrieved February 6, 2018.
34. "Members". Congressional Western Caucus. Retrieved July 18, 2018.
35. "Election Statistics, 1920 to Present". History, Art and Archives United States House of Representatives. United States House of Representatives Office of the Historian. Retrieved March 26, 2019.
36. "Voters' Pamphlet, Oregon General Election, November 2, 2010" (PDF). Oregon Secretary of State. Retrieved March 26, 2019.
37. "Voters' Pamphlet, Oregon General Election, November 8, 2016" (PDF). Oregon Secretary of State. Retrieved March 26, 2019.
38. "Voters' Pamphlet, Oregon General Election, November 6, 2018" (PDF). Oregon Secretary of State. Retrieved March 26, 2019.
39. Mayes, Steve (May 19, 2011). "Martha, Kurt Schrader, one of Oregon's best-known political couples, to divorce". The Oregonian. Retrieved April 18, 2015.
40. Mapes, Jeff (May 23, 2011). "Schraders continue divorce curse of Oregon's 5th District". The Oregonian. Retrieved April 18, 2015.
41. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on May 1, 2013. Retrieved August 7, 2013.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
42. Sullivan, Bartholomew (January 4, 2017). "House member skips beginning of Congress for honeymoon". USA Today. Retrieved January 10, 2017.
43. Paulsen, David (November 9, 2017). "Episcopalians bring faith perspectives to Congress on both sides of political aisle". Episcopal News Service. Retrieved January 16, 2021.
44. "Oregon – Clackamas County". Nationalregisterofhistoricplaces.com. Retrieved April 14, 2008.

External links

• Congressman Kurt Schrader official U.S. House website
• Kurt Schrader for Congress campaign website
• Kurt Schrader at Curlie

• Biography at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
• Profile at Vote Smart
• Financial information (federal office) at the Federal Election Commission
• Legislation sponsored at the Library of Congress
• Appearances on C-SPAN