Bend Libertarian seeks to unseat Walden

Decker Cleveland of Bend announced Wednesday his candidacy for Oregon’s 2nd Congressional District this 2018 election cycle. The position is currently held by incumbent Republican Greg Walden, who has been in office since 1999.

Cleveland joins a crowded race for Walden’s seat, with seven Democrats, an Independent Party candidate and a fellow Republican having already filed for the position.

“I’m excited to get out there and visit all the counties of this large district over the next year,” Cleveland said in a news release. “I believe we need some fresh ideas in Congress, Greg has tried his best for 20 years, and now it’s time for someone new to step in. We need a representative that will fight for families and small business, not the special interest groups.”

Cleveland’s first test of his candidacy will be when he seeks the Libertarian Party’s nomination this spring.

“It’s nice seeing more parties register, giving people a wider selection of candidates to choose from. So far, a Democrat, Libertarian, Republican, and Independent have registered and it will be interesting to see the results.” Cleveland said, “All across America, people are becoming increasingly frustrated by the lack in choices they have for public officials, so I’m glad to be an alternative for people to choose.”

Cleveland said he has been in the financial services industry for almost a decade and is currently a Financial Advisor with his investment licenses as well as being a Life and Health Insurance producer. He and his wife Karen previously owned a cafe, a flower shop, a wine wholesaler, and three restaurants, all of which they sold last year as Cleveland set his sights on Congress.

Cleveland said, “My entire career has been working with numbers and helping people with their budgets; therefore, what I would love to do more than anything is to work with our Federal budget and save our country from its current inevitable implosion. As Alexander Hamilton played a critical role in setting up the building blocks for the economy we have today, I want to be remembered for my role in eliminating our nation’s debt and paving the path for the next century of prosperity.”

For more information visit www.DC4Congress.com