Mike Beilstein is a candidate for U.S. Representative for Oregon's 4th Congressional District. He was nominated by the Oregon Progressive Party and the Pacific Green Party.

Here is his statement:

I learned today that a dark money independent expenditure campaign is spending $37,000 distributing material supporting my candidacy as the Pacific Green and Progressive candidate for U.S. Congress in the Oregon 4th District.

I do not approve of this activity. It does not originate from me or anyone associated with the Pacific Green Party or the Oregon Progressive Party. I believe it is a dishonest tactic by wealthy supporters of Alek Skarlatos to take Progressive and Green leaning votes away from the Democratic candidate Val Hoyle. This is a desperate attempt to get an unpopular candidate with unlimited resources elected to national office.

I do not discourage anyone from voting for me. But voters should keep in mind the source of information that may appear to support my candidacy and know that I denounce this deliberate attempt to use dark money to mislead voters in an effort to make me a spoiler and hand a seat in Congress to a Republican.

This abuse of the electoral system is only possible because Oregon uses a plurality victory system which allows election of candidates with less than majority support and thus encourages spoiler tactics. Regardless of the outcome of the November election, this current abuse of the system should convince Oregonians to support rapid adoption of statewide ranked choice voting.

Mike Beilstein,
Pacific Green Party and Oregon Progressive Party candidate
for U.S. Congress, Oregon District 4
mikebeilstein@yahoo.com