PORTLAND, Ore. - The recent field of membership restrictions passed in Kansas point up the importance of credit unions establishing strong relationships with politicians even before the bank lobby can bring up such a vital issue–and that’s why Oregon’s credit unions are watching one statewide election with baited breath.
State Sen. Rick Metsger Metsger is one of four Democrats who will be on the May 20 primary ballot for Oregon Secretary of State. The Credit Union Association of Oregon has long identified Metsger as a credit union-friendly candidate, and the Association’s PAC has donated more than $12,000 towards his current campaign.
When Metsger announced he would be running for Secretary of State, more than 40 credit union representatives were in attendance. He later made himself available to the local media at a press conference hosted by the Eugene branch of OnPoint Community Credit Union.
“The Credit Union Association and its PAC are significant backers of my campaign,” Metsger told the Credit Union Journal. “I think this support reflects a two-decade-long partnership of advancing the credit union mission.”
The Importance Of Being Advocates
Metsger said he believes CUs across the nation should become more politically active to ensure their interests are protected. This includes both backing candidates for office and being a resource for elected officials, he explained.
“It is really, really important that credit unions, regardless of which state or community they are in, and whether we are talking about state or federal offices, understand the importance of being advocates and educational resources of any legislative bodies,” he declared. “It is important to educate others about this importance so they also will become credit union advocates.”
Pamela Leavitt, the CUAO’s senior vice president of governmental affairs and public relations, told CU Journal Metsger is one of three “viable” Democratic candidates for Secretary of State. She described the other two viable Democrats as sitting state senators and “friends of credit unions.”
Metsger served on the board of what then was known as Portland Teachers Credit Union (now OnPoint Community CU). The former television journalist also was on the board of Mount Hood FCU, which serves those in the radio and TV industries.
According to Leavitt, Metsger’s experience on the boards of the largest CU in the state, as well as one of the smallest, gives him invaluable experience.
“Rick has a long history with credit unions,” she said. “Prior to running for office, he was an advocate for credit unions and got involved in field of membership issues. When he first ran for office, credit unions got strongly behind him. As he has moved up the senate ranks, he has chaired several of the most important committees.”
Metsger first was elected to the Oregon Senate in 1998. As his political career has advanced, he has been regarded as a legislative leader in the areas of transportation, early childhood development, career training and consumer protection, the CUAO said. He served as Chair of the Senate Special Commission on Educational Excellence in 2006 and, this past session, as Chair of the Senate Business and Transportation Committee.
Credit Union Priority Legislation
As chair of the Senate Business Committee, Metsger was instrumental in helping pass what the CUAO said was “credit union priority legislation” during the most recent two legislative sessions. He currently chairs the Interim Senate Committee on Transportation, serves on the Senate Interim Committee on Education and is the Senate appointee to the State Debt Policy Advisory Committee chaired by the State Treasurer.
“He led our state field of membership bill several years ago,” Leavitt recalled. “He has been the primary sponsor of most credit union legislation in the Oregon State Senate, including field of membership, member business lending, public funds and general modernization of regulation.”
The CUAO “called out the troops” for the announcement of Metsger’s candidacy, Leavitt said. The election is on a short timeframe because Oregon had a special session of its legislature, she added.
Because Secretary of State is a statewide race, the importance of grassroots efforts, going door-to-door, is lessened, Leavitt said–which further underscores the importance of the PAC donation to help with large expenses such as advertising.
Metsger said his experience on the board of Portland Teachers CU included a stint as vice chair. He appreciates the support he has received from the credit union community throughout his political career.
“It [CU support] has been a tremendous help, and not just financially,” he said. “There were hundreds of volunteers who were involved in my first election in 1998. Without those volunteers, I would not have won my Senate seat. People from credit unions did the grassroots, ground soldier work–letting people know the importance of having not just a credit union-friendly candidate, but a credit union advocate. An advocate is someone who can talk with conviction and authority about issues because they really understand them.”
