Cornel West Secures Ballot Access in Oregon

WASHINGTON — Independent presidential candidate Dr. Cornel West has secured ballot access in Oregon for the November 2024 presidential election, and will appear as the candidate for the state’s Progressive Party.

In a written statement, the party said the new partnership is a natural, as “Dr. West embodies the principles we stand for, including health care as a human right, free public education, environmental justice and a peaceful approach to foreign policy.

“Oregonians have always been progressive at heart, and with Dr. West, we have a candidate who truly represents our values and vision for the future,” the party said.

As for West, who is the Dietrich Bonhoeffer Professor of Philosophy and Christian Practice at Union Theological Seminary in New York, and is a professor emeritus at Princeton University, the candidate said his campaign is about “striving for a society where the needs of the many outweigh the interests of the few, where the environment is protected, where poverty is eradicated, where foreign policy is founded on the use of diplomacy, not war, and where every voice is heard through proportional representation voting.” 

“It’s a profound honor to be listed on Oregon’s ballot for 2024 as part of the Oregon Progressive Party slate of candidates,” he continued. “I am deeply thankful to my Oregonian family for embracing this vision. 

“Oregon, you are not just on the map, you are at the forefront of the struggle for truth and justice,” West added.

Going forward in Oregon, West will emphasize a number of specific issues, including establishing a state bank to support local communities and small businesses and promoting a single-payer Medicare for All system to ensure medical care for all Oregonians.

Also high on his agenda will be calling for enhanced environmental protections that focus on sustainability as well as climate and environmental justice.

“Aligning with the Oregon Progressive Party is not just about being on the ballot; we are bringing our collective voices to the forefront of the national dialogue,” West said. 

“Our shared goals … are not just Oregon’s issues, they are everyone’s issues, nationwide,” he said. “I eagerly anticipate working together to win the state of Oregon come November.”

Dan can be reached at [email protected] and @DanMcCue