Andrew Caruana announces candidacy for House District 54, to run against Rep. Kropf in Democratic Primary
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Community disability rights advocate Andrew Caruana has filed to run for House District 54 against incumbent Rep. Jason Kropf in the Democratic Primary. The district encompasses large portions of Bend.
Caruana, an active member of several local and state committees, is running on a platform focused on the affordability crisis and legislative responsiveness. He currently serves as an executive committee member and commissioner on the Oregon Disabilities Commission. Kropf, a Democrat from Bend, is the current representative for the district.
Caruana centers his campaign on the economic challenges facing local residents. He noted that the community faces a "dire affordability crisis" as the prices of groceries, health care and essential goods continue to rise. He expressed a commitment to serving as a voice for working people and families who feel their concerns have been overlooked in the state capitol.
"I look forward to representing the people of HD-54," Caruana said in his campaign announcement. "Bend is a vibrant community with diverse needs. Its constituency deserves an effective Representative who understands its people's needs. For too long, we have been represented by a politician who believes that his constituency is himself and his out-of-area allies who line his PAC." Caruana also stated that if he is elected, he would prioritize responsiveness to constituent communications.
The challenger also addressed the financial aspects of the upcoming primary race. He acknowledged that the incumbent would likely have more campaign resources at his disposal. "Rep. Kropf will outraise and outspend my campaign in an effort to distance himself from the truth, but he cannot outrun his record of putting Bend last; win or lose, he will answer to the voters and allies he's left behind," Caruana said.
Beyond his campaign platform, Caruana has a history of legislative involvement in Salem. In 2025, he supported Senate Bill 20, a measure aimed at extending health care coverage for working Oregonians with disabilities. The bill received bipartisan support during the legislative session. John Curtis, the former co-chair of the Disability Health and Employment Equity Coalition, worked alongside Caruana during that period.
"Andrew was instrumental in bringing unprecedented support across both chambers of Oregon's legislature to support SB20 in 2025," Curtis said. "His knowledge of the intricacies internal to the legislature was key to the degree of support we were able to muster."
Caruana currently holds several positions within the Bend community and at the state level. He is a member of the City of Bend Accessibility Advisory Committee and serves as a commissioner on the Oregon Disabilities Commission, a body appointed by the governor. Additionally, he is an executive committee member for the commission and serves as the legislative advocacy coordinator for the Disability Health and Employment Equity Coalition.
