Editor’s Viewpoint: Oregon CARES PAC: Progressive Politics Hiding Behind a “Non-Partisan” Mask

By Rebecca Wallis

Newberg, OR – May 7, 2025

Oregon CARES PAC, based in Newberg, Oregon, presents itself as a non-partisan group aiming to “elevate responsible and equitable community leaders.” But beneath this polished language is a clear pattern: the PAC’s financial records and political alliances expose a strong alignment with progressive and Democrat-backed candidates. Despite its claims of neutrality, Oregon CARES PAC is playing a partisan game, and misleading voters in the process.

Claims of Non-Partisanship

Oregon CARES PAC is registered as “not a candidate-controlled committee” and publicly claims to serve all Oregonians, regardless of political affiliation. But that claim falls apart under scrutiny. The PAC’s leadership and financial decisions reveal deep ties to progressive political circles. Director Sarah King may claim Independent status, but her husband, David King, himself a PAC-supported candidate, publicly champions Democrat officials, including U.S. Rep. Andrea Salinas and Oregon’s Democrat U.S. Senators.

Beyond its contributions and software, Oregon CARES PAC maintains financial relationships with progressive-aligned firms like C&E Systems (where its treasurer, Jef Green, works) and has received donations from prominent Democrat supporters. Even unaffiliated candidates like Rick Rogers have consistently aligned with progressive platforms, further diluting the PAC’s claim of neutrality.

Who Oregon CARES PAC Really Supports: A Look at Their Backing (2022–2025)

Oregon CARES PAC brands itself as non-partisan, but its financial records reveal a clear pattern of supporting progressive-leaning candidates across various local races. Some of the most notable candidates and political committees backed by Oregon CARES PAC between 2022 and 2025 include:

• Friends of Andy Byerley (Democrat – Chehalem Park and Recreation District Board)

• Friends of Nick Konen (Unaffiliated, progressive-aligned – Chehalem Park and Recreation District Board)

• Friends of Jim McMaster (Democrat – Chehalem Park and Recreation District Board)

• Friends of Brandon Slyter (Democrat – Chehalem Park and Recreation District Board)

• Friends of Aubrey Nichols (Democrat – School Board)

• OEA-PAC (Oregon Education Association PAC) – Progressive union-aligned

• Nancy for Schools (22623) (Nancy Woodward – Democrat, School Board)

• Rick Rogers for Mayor (Unaffiliated, progressive)

• Bubba for Oregon (David King – Unaffiliated, ran for CPRD and later Yamhill County Commissioner, aligned with Democrat officials)

Additionally, Oregon CARES PAC’s broader network has lent support to:

• Celeste Jones (Democrat – School Board)

• Solomon Allen (Democrat – School Board)

• Elise Hollamon (Democrat – City Council)

• Jeri Turgesen (Democrat – City Council)

• Debra Bridges (Democrat – School Board)

Notably, Jeremy Hayden (Republican – School Board) appears to be the lone conservative supported, standing out as an exception in the PAC’s otherwise solidly progressive support history.

Follow the Money: How the Support Works

Several candidates or their PACs, such as Debra Bridges, Nancy Woodward, and Rick Rogers, channeled leftover funds from their own campaigns into Oregon CARES PAC. These contributions were likely used to finance political marketing and outreach on behalf of other progressive candidates, creating a reinforcing network of financial and political backing. This cycle of progressive-to-progressive transfers, paired with coordinated marketing, gives the illusion of broad-based support while advancing a clear ideological agenda.

The Smoking Gun: NGP VAN

One of the clearest indicators of Oregon CARES PAC’s true political alignment is its repeated use of NGP VAN, the leading campaign software used exclusively by Democrat candidates and progressive organizations nationwide. The PAC’s financial records show significant, ongoing payments to NGP VAN, which is designed specifically to help Democrat campaigns with voter targeting, outreach, and data management.

Here is a breakdown of Oregon CARES PAC’s transactions to NGP VAN between 2023 and 2025:

• April 29, 2025 – $4,032.00 (Cash Expenditure)

• April 3, 2025 – $562.50 (Refunds and Rebates)

• April 3, 2025 – $562.50 (Refunds and Rebates)

• November 25, 2024 – $562.50 (Cash Expenditure)

• November 4, 2024 – $187.50 (Cash Expenditure)

• October 3, 2024 – $187.50 (Cash Expenditure)

• September 3, 2024 – $562.50 (Cash Expenditure)

• September 3, 2024 – $187.50 (Cash Expenditure)

• July 1, 2024 – $562.50 (Cash Expenditure)

• March 29, 2024 – $562.50 (Cash Expenditure)

• March 11, 2024 – $3,840.00 (Cash Expenditure)

• April 27, 2023 – $150.00 (Cash Expenditure)

• February 21, 2023 – $3,840.00 (Cash Expenditure)

In total, Oregon CARES PAC has spent $15,799.50 on NGP VAN.

NGP VAN is used exclusively by Democrat-aligned campaigns—from local school board races to presidential elections. A genuinely non-partisan PAC would typically choose a neutral platform; Oregon CARES PAC’s reliance on NGP VAN speaks volumes about its true political leanings.

The Strategy: “Pretend That I Didn’t Just Say That”

Beyond the financial trail, Oregon CARES PAC and its supported candidates have also relied on campaign strategies that deliberately mislead voters. Paige Barton, a campaign manager for many of the PAC-supported candidates, has been publicly documented advising candidates to hide their true political affiliations to attract broader support in politically mixed districts.

Screenshots of Barton’s comments reveal the strategy clearly:

“It may be safer to not list one’s political identity if running for a non-partisan position for an area that leans conservative… or even lying and running as a conservative may be a good strategy until Marion becomes left-leaning. LOL. (Pretend that I didn’t just say that.)”

Paige Barton has also contributed both cash and in-kind services—like canvassing—to Oregon CARES PAC, further reinforcing the link between this deceptive strategy and the PAC’s broader activities.

The Takeaway: A Pattern of Deception

With $15,799.50 in payments to NGP VAN, contributions flowing to nearly a dozen progressive or Democrat-aligned candidates, and a documented campaign strategy that encourages hiding or misrepresenting political identities, Oregon CARES PAC’s claims of non-partisanship collapse under scrutiny.

This is not just a case of a PAC supporting its preferred candidates—it’s a coordinated effort to win elections under false pretenses. Voters deserve transparency and honesty from political organizations, especially those that claim to stand for all Oregonians.

The Bottom Line

Oregon CARES PAC is not the neutral, community-focused group it claims to be. Its financial contributions, alliances, and campaign strategies all point to a progressive, Democrat-aligned agenda. As the 2025 election cycle unfolds, voters should scrutinize any candidate backed by Oregon CARES PAC—and demand honesty and transparency from all political organizations vying for their trust.

No one is saying that a PAC shouldn’t take sides, that’s exactly what they are created for. However, they should be upfront and honest with voters about what they stand for.

Photo Credit: Yamhill County News