Manuel Castaneda announces run for Oregon House

Manuel Castaneda for State Representative

BEAVERTON-Manuel Castaneda today announced his campaign for the Oregon House of Representatives in House District 28. Castaneda, an award-winning small business owner, says he’s running to restore the American Dream of good jobs, great schools and better opportunities for Oregon families.

“The American Dream is fading for too many Oregonians, and kids don’t have the same opportunities I had when I immigrated here as a teenager,” Castaneda said. “As a 20-year-old, I started a small business with an old pick-up and a lawnmower, and today my company employs 30 people. Unfortunately, I see fewer young entrepreneurs because our kids aren’t prepared to compete and our government discourages hard work and innovation.”

Castaneda, a Republican who lives in Beaverton, has made his way from a life of poverty in a small Mexican village to a life in Washington County as a successful business owner and community volunteer. After graduating from Forest Grove High School and attending classes at Portland Community College, he opened a small landscaping operation that has grown to focus on soil stabilization and seismic upgrades for buildings and businesses.

“We live in a great state, but we can do better. Oregon needs strong leadership and fresh, new ideas in Salem and that’s why I’m running for state representative. I am committed to improving opportunities for individuals, and making Oregon a place where our children and schools excel, and where our small businesses succeed and create jobs,” Castaneda said.

For his accomplishments, Castaneda was named the Oregon Minority Small Business Person of the Year in 2008 by the U.S. Small Business Administration and was awarded the Daily Journal of Commerce Minority Contractor Award in 2009.

Castaneda says he’s well-prepared to promote private-sector job creation in the Legislature. He has served on the boards of the Hillsboro Chamber of Commerce, Washington County Business Council and Albina Opportunities Corporation. He also serves on the board of Trustees for Pacific University and is a mentor in the Port of Portland Mentor program.

“Oregon needs more job-creators making decisions in Salem,” Castaneda said. “As State Representative, I’ll look for ways to reform a bureaucracy that stifles job creation. I’ll work to strengthen our education system to improve outcomes for our children, and I’ll support measures to make health care more affordable for small businesses and families. I look forward to the campaign and sharing my solutions for improving the future of our state.”

Castaneda has four children. He and his wife Rosa reside in Beaverton. He is seeking the House District 28 seat, which includes Aloha and a portion of southwestern Beaverton.

Manuel Castaneda for State Representative