Oregon DVM runs for U.S. Congress

OREGON CITY, ORE. — If elected, veterinarian, farmer and small-business owner Kurt Schrader would be uniquely positioned to facilitate legislation key to the veterinary profession, such as increasing the number of veterinarians in rural practice and putting more funding into research.

Dr.Kurt Schrader

Schrader, a Democrat, will face Republican Mike Erickson in the Nov. 4 general election to succeed retiring U.S. Rep. Darlene Hooley (D – 5th District).

Schrader owns two clinics, both named Clackamas County Veterinary, treating horses and companion animals. He also owns a small farm.

Schrader has served in Oregon's Legislature since 1997, first in the House and since 2003 in the state Senate, where he has been an advocate for veterinary medicine, sponsoring legislation supported by the Oregon Veterinary Medical Association (OVMA).

He was instrumental in securing state funding for the diagnostic laboratory at Oregon State University (OSU) in Corvallis and helped navigate legislation establishing a full-time, four-year veterinary program at OSU.

He hopes to do still more for the profession if elected to Congress.

"I'm looking forward to serving in the U.S. Congress, to be a voice for the veterinary community and animal-welfare legislation," he says. "I feel it is extremely important for our country to have the expertise of a veterinarian in Congress on such issues as animal rights, food safety and lots of other animal issues."

Schrader sees himself working with the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) and veterinarians across the country.

He earned his bachelor's degree from Cornell University in 1973 and his DVM degree from the University of Illinois in 1977.