Getting To Know Oregon Gubernatorial Candidate Michael Trimble

On February 26, 2022, I met with Oregon Gubernatorial candidate Michael Trimble of Portland, Oregon to find out more about him and his campaign.

Trimble who was born in Russia with no arms due to the Chernobyl incident says that he is a fighter, and will fight to do what is right. Trimble feels that the role of government is to represent all the people that it governs. He made the decision to run for governor because he is tired of Democrats that do nothing to help people.

“I am sick and tired of the Democratic establishment not doing anything,” said Trimble.

When asked about the biggest problems Oregonians are facing, Trimble referred to the issues of affordable housing, affordable health care, and unemployment.

“I want to make sure that people do have affordable health care, make sure that those that want a job, have a job, those that want a home, have a home, and that we can lower the cost of living,” said Trimble.

Trimble believes holding corporations, and what he calls the 1% responsible will fund the programs needed to fix some of the problems.

According to Trimble, homelessness in Oregon is at an all-time high and has only gotten worse under Kate Brown’s leadership and the current Democratic supermajority control. He says the answer to homelessness is to first change the laws to ban camping on public lands, then to look at permanent housing options for the homeless that could be accomplished by using Eminent Domain laws to acquire vacant properties that could be used for affordable housing. Trimble says that mental health plays a big role in homelessness and wants to expand mental health care through Oregon Health Plan for all, especially when it comes to drug addictions.

“Oregon Health Plan for all is going to open up access to anyone who wants it regardless of income,” said Trimble.

Trimble said he will accomplish the Oregon Health Plan for all by setting premium amounts based on income affordability much like private health plans, but the difference will be that his plan will pay for all medical expenses with no deductibles and no out of pocket cost.

Trimble’s overall message was that, if elected, he will work for all Oregonians by making rents affordable, providing OHP for all, and getting Oregon back to work through free in-state education tuition.

The full audio interview is below.