This nonaffiliated Oregonian is running for Congress. His campaign looks different than most

Jason Faler, a 49-year-old combat veteran and former healthcare executive, is campaigning as a nonaffiliated candidate for Oregon’s 6th Congressional District. To qualify for the November ballot, he must gather 3,500 valid signatures by August 25, a requirement Oregon law imposes on unaffiliated candidates instead of a $100 filing fee for major party candidates. Oregon’s 6th District spans the Willamette Valley and surrounding counties, where nonaffiliated voters constitute a majority but face procedural hurdles to run. Faler spends weekends collecting signatures at the Salem Saturday Market, emphasizing his belief in serving voters without party loyalty. Oregon is one of 17 states requiring nonaffiliated candidates to file nomination petitions, lacking electronic templates for candidate petitions despite allowing them for ballot initiatives. Secretary of State spokesperson Connor Radnovich confirmed the absence of digital tools for candidate petitions, forcing Faler to rely on manual signature collection. Nonaffiliated voters make up 37% of Oregon’s registered voters, surpassing Democrats (31%) and Republicans (24%), yet the ballot process remains cumbersome. Faler argues the system is outdated, comparing it to Oregon’s pioneering vote-by-mail system while criticizing the lack of infrastructure for independent candidates. His campaign aims to challenge the assumption that independent votes are wasted, citing shifting electoral dynamics. Charlie Conrad, another independent candidate, withdrew from Oregon’s 12th House District race after securing 1,300 votes in the May primary but falling short against Democratic opponent Amber Smith. Conrad, a former one-term Republican representative, switched parties after losing a 2024 primary over his stance on abortion and gender-affirming care laws. His withdrawal underscores the difficulties independents face in Oregon’s political landscape, where ballot access remains a significant barrier.