Paul Romero isn’t a career politician and that’s exactly why he’s running for governor. A Navy veteran and former public school teacher, Romero has spent his life in service; first to his country, and then to his community in the classroom. But like many Oregonians, he’s watched the state change in ways that concern him deeply. “Oregon used to be a place where if you worked hard, you could build a good life,” Romero says. “That’s getting harder every year.”

After his military service, Romero turned to education, believing that helping shape the next generation was one of the most meaningful ways to give back. But inside the system, he says he saw firsthand the challenges facing students, families, and teachers along with what he describes as growing disconnect between decision-makers and everyday people. Now, as a political outsider, Romero is stepping into the governor’s race with a simple message: the system isn’t working for ordinary Oregonians. He points to rising costs of living, increasing pressure on working families, and a sense that many communities especially outside major cities are being overlooked. “I’m not coming from a political machine,” Romero says. “I’m coming from the same place a lot of Oregonians are: from trying to make it work, and seeing it get harder.”

His campaign is built less on traditional political infrastructure and more on grassroots support: local events, direct conversations, and a growing network of volunteers. For Romero, the campaign isn’t just about policy. It’s about restoring what he sees as the original promise of the state. “This campaign is about giving people a voice again,” he says. “Because right now, too many feel like they don’t have one.”

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