Peace Among Parties
Photo by Billie Throm
Article by Reese Borchert
NEWBERG, Ore. – Optimistic energy filled Hoover 103 on Oct. 7 as members of the George Fox University (GFU) community gathered to witness a conversation between Oregon House of Representatives Majority Leader Ben Bowman and Minority Leader Christine Drazan on bipartisanship.
GFU’s Civility Project, led by Professor Emeritus of Political Science and Peace Studies Ron Mock, hosted this event. These two guests accepted the invitation to the Newberg campus because of their previous acquaintance with Mock. Drazan was a student of Mock’s when she attended GFU and Mock featured on a few episodes of Bowman’s podcast, “The Bridge by OR360.”
Mock says President Robin Baker initiated the Civility Project in 2020 upon surveying the divisions in the communities the university serves. The congregation of Newberg Friends Church split in 2017, which negatively impacted the university board, as members on opposing sides were also trustees.
Earlier on Oct. 7, Political Science Concentrations Ariana Jacobs and Kendall Kartler predicted the conversation to be on civility in the Oregon House. Both expressed anticipation for the Q&A segment and were preparing questions.
Majority Leader Ben Bowman is a Democrat from Tigard, while Republican Minority Leader Christine Drazan was elected to represent Canby. The two political voices took turns addressing topics fielded to them by Mock, who moderated.
The conversation began with the opposing individuals sharing their experiences as representatives working in Salem, then shared their thoughts on the causes of polarization. Subjects such as gerrymandering and vetoing bills surfaced. They disagreed respectfully and exchanged opinions in good nature.
“[Drazen] was probably being more truly herself and I think Ben was in his good listener mode,” said Mock the next day.
After discussions on debate as a gift, the possibility of policing your own party and stories of when the majority used their power for good or bad, the floor opened for the gallery to ask their questions. GFU baseball player Andrew Miller stated his desire to run for office but, deterred by the current political climate, asked how to not become discouraged.
Bowman and Drazen responded in support and advised him to start in nonpartisan spaces such as the local government. As they answered the following audience members, they emphasized the value of civic engagement and the importance of individual voices.
In response to a question on conflicts between state governors and federal leaders, Bowman pointed out the state's role in advocating for their constituents when the federal government uses taxes in opposition, which received “amens” from the crowd.
“It was full, without becoming unpleasant,” said Mock about the lecture hall. The diverse audience ranged from freshmen business majors to local elderly residents and included Newberg City Manager Will Worthey. Despite the wide scope and turnout, everyone was able to have a seat.
Many students signed attendance sheets as they entered to earn credit for their Political Science courses, while others, like Makai Peak, said they went “just for the heck of it.”
“And also to make some connections and hopefully talk with the guests,” added Peak. This was a common objective, as a crowd formed around Bowman and Drazen at the end of the event that only dwindled after 8 p.m.
Disagreements and divides are seemingly inevitable. They are confirmation of people’s passions and unwavering commitment to their values or beliefs. As long as people remain humble enough to meet in a lecture hall on a Tuesday night, there is hope for civility between Oregon constituents.
