Oregon Public Broadcasting

Oregon’s 5th Congressional District has never been a sure thing for either party. But Canby veterinarian, Kurt Schrader, won last night with a healthy 57 percent of the vote.

Kurt Schrader: “I feel great. A great margin of victory. I wouldn’t have expected this. This is wonderful.”

Schrader campaigned on getting out of the Iraq war, as well as developing sustainable forestry businesses in rural Oregon.

He’s been in the state legislature for the last 12 years. But on OPB's Think Out Loud Tuesday night, he said he has big  plans for Congress.

Kurt Schrader: “Well I think first I want to work with some of the people who have already been there and already are talking about some great things. Certainly the healthcare reform initiative is one of those and Senator Wyden has the Healthy American’s act, which looks like a great piece of legislation and mirrors exactly what we’re trying to do in Oregon.

"I would also like to get on board with Congressman Blumenaeur on the infrastructure issues. We’ve got to put America to work right now and that includes includes the knowledge economy, roads and bridges.”

For years, Republicans outnumbered Democrats in the fifth district, which stretches from Mount Hood to the central coast.

But once Congresswoman Darlene Hooley announced she wouldn’t run, aggressive registration efforts gave Democrats an advantage of more than 20,000 voters.

Schrader’s Republican opponent, Mike Erikson, only drew 36 percent of the vote. It was his second attempt at the seat.