House · District 40 candidate · Oregon Legislature · November 3, 2026
Michael W Sugar
Teacher, debate coach and union leader.
Reach the campaign
In their words
Said: It’s time to work together to solve problems for our community and demand that Salem actually solve problems for our state.
Voters’ pamphlet
Candidate statement · Filed for the November 2026 state voters’ pamphlet; extracted September 21, 2026
Oregon Secretary of State · filed candidate statement · PDF page 224 ↗First sentence of the filed statement; the heading “MICHAEL SUGAR: UNITING COMMUNITIES TO SOLVE PROBLEMS” is skipped.
The verbatim opening of their voters’ pamphlet statement, the same rule for every candidate. We chose nothing.
What they say they would do
Our summary of their platform, in our wordsEmphasizes lower living costs, accessible healthcare, educational opportunity and housing for first-time buyers.
- Support toll-free roads and timely transportation projects.
- Protect reproductive rights and improve healthcare access.
- Expand housing opportunities, support businesses and improve disaster preparedness.
Our reading
Our interpretation, not their wordsTax reform that shifts burden toward the wealthiest, plus stronger services and housing help; the site sets priorities and a delivery standard for transportation projects but not a fiscal balance.
Where they stand
Housing and homelessness
First-time buyer options- What
- Said: Make homeownership more affordable with housing options for first-time buyers and working families, bringing local input to statewide housing decisions.
- How
- Not in their sources
- Measured by
- Not in their sources
Crime, drugs and who responds
Responders, prevention- What
- Said: Support police, firefighters and emergency responders, expand mental-health supports and strengthen crime prevention.
- How
- Not in their sources
- Measured by
- Not in their sources
Taxes, the kicker and the budget
Wealthy pay fair share- What
- Said: Major tax reform so billionaires and the wealthiest corporations pay their fair share while working families’ burden falls, with responsible budgeting.
- How
- Not in their sources
- Measured by
- Not in their sources
Roads, transit and climate
Toll-free, on-time roads- What
- Said: Toll-free roads with transportation projects delivered on time and on budget, plus wildfire brush clearing and earthquake-resistant bridges, water systems and emergency centers.
- How
- Said: Brush clearing for wildfire prevention and investment now in earthquake-resistant bridges, buildings, water systems and emergency response centers.
- Measured by
- Said: Transportation projects delivered on time and on budget.
The choices this office faces
Every candidate in this race is asked the same 8 questions. Michael W Sugar is on record on 5, with 3 still open. A question without an answer is a research gap, not a position.
No answer we could findLet the state keep part of a future kicker refund for wildfire or other one-time needs?
Nothing on this exact choice in the sources we reviewed.
Make data centers pay their own way: separate power rates, an end to tax breaks, or a pause on new ones?
Nothing on this exact choice in the sources we reviewed.
Keep the 2024 approach of recriminalized possession plus county deflection programs, and fund them in 2027–29?
Nothing on this exact choice in the sources we reviewed.
Vote for a 2027 transportation package that raises the gas tax and vehicle fees again?
Said: Opposes tolling and wants projects delivered on time and on budget with union labor; he does not say whether he would vote for a gas-tax or fee increase.
On the topic; the exact choice is unsaid.
Close the 2027–29 budget gap with new revenue, or with cuts alone?
Said: Would push major tax reform so billionaires and the wealthiest corporations pay their fair share while cutting the burden on working families.
Keep paying for state-funded shelter beds and the homelessness emergency after June 2027?
Said: Would expand mental-health and addiction services, address homelessness and get people off the streets; he does not say how shelter beds would be funded.
On the topic; the exact choice is unsaid.
Spend more state money on wildfire prevention and firefighting?
Said: Would increase support for proactive wildfire prevention, including brush clearing, and invest now in earthquake-resistant bridges, water systems and emergency centers.
Keep adding state limits on federal immigration enforcement, on top of Oregon's sanctuary law?
Said: Would protect Oregonians and immigrants from federal overreach and ensure a justice system that treats everyone equally.
A question the evidence leaves open
Which taxes would you cut, and what would pay for the proposed service and housing improvements?
Sources (5)
- Sugar · prioritiesCandidate statement · Undated campaign page; reviewed September 18, 2026
- 2026 qualified filing · DemocratElection authority · Checked September 18, 2026
- 2026 qualified filing · Working FamiliesElection authority · Checked September 18, 2026
- Sugar · aboutCandidate statement · Website reviewed September 21, 2026Campaign position. Claimed results and numerical premises have not automatically been independently verified.
- Oregon Secretary of State · filed candidate statement · PDF page 224Candidate statement · Filed for the November 2026 state voters’ pamphlet; PDF printed September 9, 2026; reviewed September 21, 2026Written by the candidate or campaign for the state voters’ pamphlet, which is not published until September 29, 2026.