Pencil for Governor: A Campaign to Improve Education in Oregon
The bustling downtown Saturday farmer's market in Portland, Oregon, is a beloved tradition featuring a variety of vendors and entertainers. Among the crowd, a six-foot-tall talking pencil named Pencil is campaigning for governor to raise awareness about education. Pencil, with its distinctive office supply mascot appearance, is running against both Democratic incumbent Tina Kotek and the Republican candidates, urging voters to write in "Pencil" on their ballots to address Oregon's low fourth-grade reading rankings.
J. Schuberth, the person behind the Pencil persona, is a former college professor and literacy advocate who is concerned about Oregon's education policies. Despite the humorous nature of Pencil's campaign, Schuberth hopes to send a strong message to state leaders about the urgent need to improve education in Oregon. While Pencil may not become the next governor due to constitutional limitations, the write-in campaign aims to highlight the public's dissatisfaction with the current state of education.
The campaign faces challenges in terms of vote counting, as write-in votes are only tallied if they exceed the votes for the leading candidate. However, Schuberth is determined to track Pencil's votes and ensure that the message resonates with voters. At the farmer's market, Pencil's message about Oregon's education system struck a chord with some voters, prompting them to consider alternative voting options to address the state's educational shortcomings.
Despite the unconventional nature of Pencil's campaign, the focus on education is a central theme in this year's gubernatorial race. Republican candidates are also highlighting the need for educational reform, criticizing Democratic policies that have contributed to poor student performance. Governor Kotek acknowledges the challenges in Oregon's education system and has made literacy a priority during her tenure. However, Schuberth believes that more decisive action is needed to improve educational outcomes and ensure that Oregon's students receive a quality education.
Pencil's campaign merchandise, including postcards and magnets, emphasizes the urgency of fixing Oregon's education system. Schuberth has invested personal funds in the campaign and plans to continue advocating for educational reform beyond the primary election. As the campaign progresses, Pencil aims to raise awareness about the importance of prioritizing education in Oregon and holding elected officials accountable for addressing the state's educational challenges.