January 20, 2022 3:40 a.m.

Patrick Starnes says he is the last outsider Democratic candidate for governor.

A release said with Nicholas Kristof deemed ineligible and Yamhill County Commissioner Casey Kulla dropping out, Starnes claims it is clearer than ever that he is the leading outsider running for the Democratic party nomination.

Starnes says the two “front-runners” are out of touch with the needs of Oregonians outside the Portland metro area and are taking thousands from corporate donors and wealthy elites. Starnes said he has won elections in rural Oregon and is role-modeling campaign finance reform by refusing to accept any corporate or PAC money and limiting individual contributions to a maximum of $1,000 per year.

A former resident of Douglas and Lane counties, Starnes now lives in Brownsville.