In Oregon, Three Non-Religious Candidates Won Their Primaries for the State House

[rug]

May 18, 2016
by Hemant Mehta

Bernie Sanders‘ victory in the Oregon primary last night may have dominated the headlines out of that state, but there were also a handful of down-ballot races featuring openly non-religious candidates that you may have missed. And all of them were victorious in their bids for the Oregon State House.

The candidates received endorsements from the Freethought Equality Fund last month after coming out publicly as non-religious. Here’s a rundown of who they are and how they did:

Julie Fahey (Oregon State House — District 14)

Julie Fahey is seeking election to Oregon’s 14th State House District. Fahey, who doesn’t identify with any religion, believes “critical thinking and science can best help us understand our world.” Her public policy decisions will be “guided by evidence and a rational approach to decision-making, rather than by dogma or religious beliefs.” She is passionate about protecting the environment, expanding economic opportunities, improving education, defending a woman’s right to choose, and will be a “tireless voice against discrimination in all its forms.” Fahey has spent the last 15 years in the private sector helping businesses and nonprofits pay and treat their employees fairly to create positive work environments. This is an open seat with the current incumbent running for Oregon’s Secretary of State.

The result?

She won her primary — and just based on the voter turnout, she may have a good shot at beating her GOP opponent in November:



http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2016/05/18/in-oregon-three-non-religious-candidates-won-their-primaries-for-the-state-house/