Caddy McKeown
District 9, Coos Bay
Caddy McKeown Announces Candidacy for House District 9
McKeown hopes to continue her lifetime of service to the
coastal community in the Legislature
Caddy McKeown, a native of Coos County, announced on Monday that she will run for the Oregon House of Representatives in House District 9. She decided to run in order to continue her long-term work to promote a strong educational system and a robust economy on the Oregon coast.
As Vice-Chair of the Oregon International Port of Coos Bay Commission, Caddy led efforts to reestablish the Coos Bay Rail Line and create new economic opportunities for the coast. She has also fought to deepen the Port of Coos Bay shipping channel. Caddy believes that an operating railway and an active port mean jobs for our region.
Senator Joanne Verger, who has served the people of the coast for 30 years, said this about McKeown: “Caddy McKeown is the right candidate in the right district at the right time. She has wide experience serving on boards and commissions and will have a bi-partisan approach to improving the economy of the south coast. She will be an excellent Representative for the people and accessible when they need her.”
Joe Benetti, restaurant owner and past president of the Oregon Restaurant and Lodging Association welcomed McKeown's candidacy. “As a leader on the Port Commission Caddy’s goal has been to take advantage of the natural assets of our region in order to create more family wage jobs for our community. She is the right person to represent us in Salem.”
For over twenty years Caddy has served on commissions and boards on the coast and at the state level, including six years on the Port Commission, twelve years on the Coos Bay School Board, sixteen years on the board of the Bob Belloni Ranch Inc, twenty-two years on the Mingus Park Pool board and eight years as a member of the Energy Trust of Oregon Board of Directors. She also helped launch ASPIRE in Southern Oregon, a program that helps high school students obtain funding and access to college.
“As a former teacher and principal who always put our kids first, I can say that there is no one better to take my place in the Oregon House," said Representative Arnie Roblan, Co-Speaker of the Oregon House. "Caddy has shown time and time again that her priorities are in the right place. She spent years strengthening our education system as a school board member and then moved on to ASPIRE to help ensure all students have access to a college education.”
Peggy Christiansen, an active community member and high school librarian said, “Caddy has been serving our schools, our communities, and our region for over 25 years. I am excited for her to continue to be the voice of the south coast. Her long history of service to our community clearly demonstrates her love of the area and the people in it.”
McKeown is committed to serving the people of the Oregon Coast. "For the past eight years I have worked to bring family-wage jobs to the coast," she said. "Senator Verger and Co-Speaker Roblan have set the bar high by leading with skill, integrity and desire to help our communities thrive. I am excited to have the opportunity to continue this work in the Oregon House of Representatives. Our district needs someone who will pursue a better future for our kids, our families, and our local businesses. I am committed to doing this as your representative.”