LA GRANDE — A familiar face in the Union County political scene is joining the field of candidates for the 2nd Congressional District’s seat, which covers Eastern and Central Oregon.

Jack Howard, a La Grande attorney and a former Union County Commissioner, is the latest entry in the race for the Democratic nomination in the district.

The Oregon Secretary of State’s office reported Howard’s filing Tuesday afternoon on its website. Howard served as a member of the Union County Board of Commissioners for one term, from 2015-19. Howard, who did not run for reelection, said his experience as a commissioner would serve him well as the representative of the 2nd Congressional District.

“Rural Oregon needs a fighter” who will help secure federal payments to counties for schools and much more, he said, noting Rep. Greg Walden, R-Hood River, does this well. Walden, who has represented the district since 1999, announced in October he will not be running for reelection.

One of Howard’s focuses would be on helping people who have disabilities.

“Disabilities advocacy is in my heart,” he said.

Those interests began many years ago when he made visits to a state institution to see a beloved cousin.

“We’ve come a long way since then, as a society,” Howard wrote on his website, www.votejackhoward.com. “But the test is not all about what can be done ‘for’ people with perceived disabilities. It’s about respecting every person’s perceived freedoms to make their own choices.”

Howard said on Tuesday he wants people with disabilities to be at the table when discussions of their needs take place.

“We should not speak for people with disabilities. We should speak with them,” he said.

Howard also expressed concern about poverty. 

“Every single day I will be involved in fighting poverty,” he said. “If I don’t talk about poverty one day, I failed that day.”

Howard said as a congressman he also would focus on the continued development of the Union County Airport. He believes the airport has “unlimited” potential to boost the county’s economy.

He said he wants to build on the outstanding work retired Union County Commissioner Steve McClure and Union County Public Works Director Doug Wright have done to get the airport to where it is today.

Although he is a Democrat, Howard said if elected he would follow many of the examples Walden set.

“He is the gold standard of congressmen,” Howard said.

He credited Walden with many qualities, including a sincere interest in the needs of everyone in his district.

“Walden always listens,” he said.

Howard moved to La Grande 14 years ago. He has a bachelor’s degree in history from Western Washington University and master’s degrees in emergency services and criminal justice from Columbia Southern University. He earned his law degree at the University of Puget Sound.

Howard is one of four Democratic candidates who have filed to run for the nomination. The others are Medford resident John Holm, community organizer Isabella Tibbets of Talent, and Raz Mason, a high school teacher from The Dalles.

The 2nd Congressional District is one of the largest in the country, covering all of Eastern and Central Oregon and much of the southern part of the state. At 69,491 square miles in size, the district is only 1,871 square miles less than the state of Washington.