Alek Skarlatos (OR-04) Backgrounder | 1
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Alek Skarlatos (OR-04) Backgrounder | 1 Alek Skarlatos (OR-04) Research Report The following report contains research on Alek Skarlatos, a Republican candidate in Oregon’s 4th district. Research for this memo was conducted by the DCCC’s Research Department in August 2020. By accepting this report, you are accepting responsibility for all information and analysis included. Therefore, it is your responsibility to verify all claims against the original documentation before you make use of it. Make sure you understand the facts behind our conclusions before making any specific charges against anyone. Alek Skarlatos Republican Candidate in Oregon’s 4th Congressional District Research Memo - 2020 Last Updated August 2020 Prepared by the DCCC Research Department Alek Skarlatos (OR-04) Backgrounder | 2 Significant Findings ✓ On Aug, 19, 2019, Skarlatos announced he was running for Congress as a Republican in Oregon’s 4th Congressional district. ✓ In May of 2020, Skarlatos won the Republican primary in Oregon’s 4th Congressional district. ✓ Skarlatos paid himself a $12,000 salary out of his campaign fund, adding going without pay was “not something that I can do indefinitely.” ✓ Skarlatos said he ran for Congress because of Southwest Oregon’s “timber issue” adding that the economy was having a “tough time only for political reasons” but admitted he had no personal ties to the timber industry itself. ✓ Skarlatos: “I’ve been researching the timber industry and issues in Southwest Oregon for almost three years now.” ✓ Skarlatos said not much of military service came into running his campaign, adding “I feel I don’t have to dictate a whole lot. Everybody knows their job and does what they’re supposed to do” ✓ Douglas County Democratic Party Chairwoman stated Skarlatos “doesn’t have much experience in doing anything other than being a celebrity” ✓ In 2018, Skarlatos ran for Douglas County Commissioner but lost. ✓ Skarlatos: “I consider myself more of a libertarian.” ✓ Skarlatos was raised in the Sacramento area, moved to Oregon in 2009, entering Rosburg High School as a sophomore and graduating in 2011. ✓ Skarlatos was best known for stopping a suspected armed terrorist on a train to Paris with his two friends in August of 2015. ✓ In September of 2015, Skarlatos placed third on “Dancing With The Stars”, later joining “Dancing with the Stars: Live! Dance All Night Tour” ✓ In November of 2015, Skarlatos wanted to continue living in Los Angeles, claiming he was “having an amazing time” and “I’ll just keep looking for work and if I find it, I’ll stay” ✓ Skarlatos said he wanted to see the timber industry back to what “we were doing in the 80s” and wanted the Oregon & California Land agreement “on the same playing field as the Endangered Species Act. ✓ Skarlatos “fully supports President Trump’s plan to build the wall, secure our border, and end sanctuary cities.” ✓ Skarlatos claimed the VA “is still broken” and supported implementing a “voucher system that lets veterans choose where they receive their healthcare” ✓ Skarlatos supported a “free market healthcare system centered around patients” and protecting pre- existing conditions. Alek Skarlatos (OR-04) Backgrounder | 3 ✓ From 2015 to present, Skarlatos was the president and sectary of Aleksander Skarlatos, Inc., which was a foreign business corporation incorporated in Delaware but registered in Oregon. ✓ From 2012 to 2017, Skarlatos was a sniper in the Oregon National Guard, achieving the rank of Specialist and completing a nine month tour of Afghanistan. Background • EDUCATION: Umpqua Community College (Did Not Graduate) • PROFESSIONAL: U.S. Army, Oregon National Guard (2012-2017); Dancing With The Stars, Season 21 (2015); Aleksander Skarlatos, Inc, President and Secretary (2015-Present) • POLITICAL: Douglas County Commissioner, Lost (2018) • AWARDS: Oregon Distinguished Service Medal; Oregon Faithful Service Ribbon with “M” device; Chevalier of the Legion of Honor; Army Overseas Service Ribbon; Armed Forces Reserve Medal with “M” device; Global War on Terrorism Service Medal; Afghanistan Campaign Medal; Soldier’s Medal; 186th Infantry Regiment Distinctive Unit Insignia; Air Assault Badge; 41st Infantry Division Combat Service Identification Badge • LICENSES: Oregon Fishing and Hunting Licenses Skarlatos Ran For Congress As A Republican In Oregon’s 4th Congressional District Aug, 19, 2019: Skarlatos Announced He Was Running For Congress As A Republican In Oregon’s 4th Congressional District Aug, 19, 2019: Skarlatos Announced He Was Running For Congress As A Republican In Oregon’s 4th Congressional District. “Alek Skarlatos, a former Oregon National Guardsman, is running as a Republican in Oregon’s U.S. House District 4. Peter DeFazio, a Democrat, has served the residents of that district since 1987. The district includes Roseburg, which is where Skarlatos lives.” [KATU-Channel 2, 8/19/20] May 2020: Skarlatos Won The Republican Primary In Oregon’s 4th Congressional District May 2020: Skarlatos Won The Republican Primary In Oregon’s 4th Congressional District. “The Eugene (OR) Register-Guard (5/20, Duvernay, 183K) reports that former National Guardsman Alek Skarlatos (R), “a political newcomer best known for his part in stopping a would-be terrorist attack on board a European train in 2015,” on Tuesday easily won the OR4 GOP primary and will now face off against OR4 Rep. Peter DeFazio (D) in November’s election. The report adds, “Skarlatos has said his political issues align with the Oregon timber industry, such as wanting to reform rules so there is a return to the 500 million board feet production minimum in forests covered by federal law. He may find support in logging, trucking and farming groups that over the past years have been increasingly vocal about the impacts of issues such as cap-and-trade.’” [The Frontrunner, 5/21/20] Skarlatos Paid Himself A $12,000 Salary Out Of His Campaign Fund, Adding Going Without Pay Was “Not Something That I Can Do Indefinitely” Skarlatos Paid Himself A $12,000 Salary Out Of His Campaign Fund, Adding Going Without Pay Was “Not Something That I Can Do Indefinitely.” “Skarlatos has also been paying himself a salary out of his campaign fund. Federal election rules allow non-incumbent campaigns to pay themselves if it doesn’t exceed what they made Alek Skarlatos (OR-04) Backgrounder | 4 in the previous year. The idea behind the rules is to help candidates of modest means run for office. So far, Skarlatos has paid himself $12,000. He said that he’s been campaigning full-time for almost a year and going without pay is “not something that I can do indefinitely.” The Center for Public Integrity reported that 22 House candidates in 2018 paid themselves, including Ocasio-Cortez.” [Statesman Journal, 8/2/20] As Of 2nd Quarter Of 2020, Skarlatos Had Paid Himself $16,000 Out Of His Campaign Funds. [FEC, accessed 8/15/20] Skarlatos Said He Ran For Congress Because Of Southwest Oregon’s “Timber Issue” Adding That The Economy Was Having A “Tough Time Only For Political Reasons,” But Admitted He Had No Personal Ties To The Timber Industry Itself Skarlatos Said He Ran For Congress Because Of Southwest Oregon’s “Timber Issue” Skarlatos Said He Ran For Congress Because Of Southwest Oregon’s “Timber Issue” In an interview, Skarlatos was asked “What inspired you to run for Congress?” “Skarlatos: Honestly, there were a lot of things. I met my state senator on a plane to D.C, we started talking politics and agreed on mostly everything. The more I learned about the issues facing southwest Oregon, the angrier I got. I really just wanted to do something about it. For me it was mostly the timber issue and the fact that our economy and county governments across the district have really had a tough time only for political reasons. It’s really kind of a disgusting problem once you research it a bit.” [Elections-Daily Interview, 00:00:33, 6/29/20] Skarlatos Said His Political Issues Align With The Oregon Timber Industry. “The Eugene (OR) Register- Guard (5/20, Duvernay, 183K) reports that former National Guardsman Alek Skarlatos (R), “a political newcomer best known for his part in stopping a would-be terrorist attack on board a European train in 2015,” on Tuesday easily won the OR4 GOP primary and will now face off against OR4 Rep. Peter DeFazio (D) in November’s election. The report adds, “Skarlatos has said his political issues align with the Oregon timber industry, such as wanting to reform rules so there is a return to the 500 million board feet production minimum in forests covered by federal law. He may find support in logging, trucking and farming groups that over the past years have been increasingly vocal about the impacts of issues such as cap-and-trade.’” [The Frontrunner, 5/21/20] Skarlatos Claimed Southwest Oregon’s Economy Was Having A “Tough Time Only For Political Reasons” Because Of The Timber Industry Skarlatos Claimed Southwest Oregon’s Economy Was Having A “Tough Time Only For Political Reasons.” In an interview, Skarlatos was asked “What inspired you to run for Congress?” “Skarlatos: Honestly, there were a lot of things. I met my state senator on a plane to D.C, we started talking politics and agreed on mostly everything. The more I learned about the issues facing southwest Oregon, the angrier I got. I really just wanted to do something about it. For me it was mostly the timber issue and the fact that our economy and county governments across the district have really had a tough time only for political reasons. It’s really kind of a disgusting problem once you research it a bit.” [Elections-Daily Interview, 00:00:33, 6/29/20] Skarlatos Said He Had No Ties To The Timber Industry Adding He “Would Have No Problem With It As Long As People Would Find Equivalent Or Better Jobs” Skarlatos Said He Had No Ties To The Timber Industry Adding He “Would Have No Problem With It As Long As People Would Find Equivalent Or Better Jobs.” “His main focus is forest management and the timber industry.