Herbert Bruce Broussard (born October 16, 1938) is an American political activist, veteran, and journalist based in Portland, Oregon.[2] He is known for hosting the Oregon Voter Digest cable access program.[3] Broussard is also a perennial candidate, running unsuccessfully for numerous offices since the 1970s.
Bruce Broussard | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | October 16, 1938[1] Louisiana, United States |
| Party | Independent |
Other political affiliations | Libertarian (2016–?) Republican (before 2016) |
| Spouse | Norma |
Early life and career
editBroussard grew up in Louisiana and went to school in Houston, Texas. He attended Texas Southern University and Portland State University.[4]
In 1960, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. Following a tour of duty in Vietnam, Broussard was stationed in Portland to work as a recruiter. He served a total of 10 years in the Marines and 3 in the Oregon Army National Guard.[5] After being discharged from the military, he remained in Portland and became active in local organizations, including the Urban League of Portland, the NAACP, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the Boys & Girls Clubs of America.[2] He also served on several local public utilities boards.[5]
Broussard worked for a time for the Portland Observer newspaper and for KBOO radio station.[2] At one point, he owned and operated a Christmas tree farm near Sandy, Oregon.[1]
Political career
editBroussard ran for Oregon House of Representatives from the 16th district in 1976 and 1978 as a Republican; both times he lost to Democratic incumbent Wally Priestley. In 1982, he ran for Governor of Oregon, placing fourth out of five candidates in the Republican primary.[6]
Broussard ran for United States Senate in 2004. He placed second in the Republican primary, receiving 22 percent of the vote, but lost to rancher Al King, who in turn went on to lose the general election to Democrat Ron Wyden. He received the endorsement of former Governor Vic Atiyeh, whom Broussard lost his 1982 gubernatorial bid to.[1]
After Multnomah County began to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples in 2004, Broussard filed a lawsuit aiming to stop the issuing; it was dismissed. By 2026, Broussard had reversed his position and claimed not to have remembered the 2004 lawsuit.[7]
During his 2004 Senate bid, Broussard indicated opposition to Ballot Measure 30, which would have increased taxes, and support for a national universal healthcare system.
In 2006, he was the Republican nominee for Oregon's 3rd congressional district, winning the primary off write-ins. Broussard received 23 percent of the vote in the general election compared to Democrat Earl Blumenauer's 73 percent.[6]
Local politics
editBroussard has run for Mayor of Portland thrice: in 2000, 2016, and 2020. All three times, he was unsuccessful. In addition, he ran for Portland City Commissioner in 1996 and Multnomah County Commissioner from the 2nd district in 2014 and 2018; again without success. In 2022, Broussard ran for Multnomah County Chair and placed fifth out of six candidates.[6]
His 2016 mayoral campaign centered around curbing homelessness in Portland, and he proposed banning homeless people from sleeping on sidewalks.[8]
Broussard ran for Metro Council President in 2026, placing fourth out of five candidates and losing to Juan Carlos González.[9] When asked by The Oregonian about his priorities if elected, he said, ”I don’t know 100%.”[7]
Party affiliations and endorsements
editIn 2016, Broussard, a longtime Republican, switched to the Libertarian Party, saying, "Over the years, and especially during this election, it has become clear that we need a strong and effective third party to represent the American people. I will continue to work with my Republican and Democrat friends where I can, but I look forward to bringing a fiscal conservative and socially liberal voice to Multnomah County politics." He also endorsed Gary Johnson's presidential campaign.[3]
In 2022, Broussard appeared in a commercial for Republican Christine Drazan, endorsing her in the 2022 Oregon governor's race.
As of 2026, Broussard was registered as an unaffiliated voter.[7]
Personal life
editBroussard and his wife, Norma, reside in North Portland.[2] They operated Norma's Kitchen, which served Cajun and Louisiana Creole cuisine.[5][10] The restaurant closed in 2017. He is fluent in Louisiana Creole and plays the washboard in a Creole band.[1]
References
edit- 1 2 3 4 Hocking, Bree (May 17, 2004). "Candidate Hopes His Creole Music Sways Voters". Roll Call. Archived from the original on January 24, 2022. Retrieved March 15, 2022.
- 1 2 3 4 Redden, Jim. "After Vietnam, Black Portland vet spoke out on local politics". Archived from the original on 2021-11-11. Retrieved 2021-11-12.
- 1 2 Perry, Douglas (August 4, 2016). "Oregon Libertarian Party seeks to raise profile with long-time Republican's endorsement". The Oregonian. Archived from the original on August 7, 2016. Retrieved August 5, 2016.
- ↑ House, Kelly (2014-04-09). "Bruce Broussard aims to fight for seniors, youth, veterans: Multnomah County District 2 election". The Oregonian. Retrieved 2026-05-25.
- 1 2 3 Broussard, Bruce (2014-03-13). "CANDIDATE'S STATEMENT FOR COUNTY VOTERS' PAMPHLET". County of Multnomah. Retrieved 2026-05-25.
- 1 2 3 "Broussard, Bruce". Our Campaigns. Retrieved March 15, 2022.
- 1 2 3 Funk, Isabel (2026-04-23). "Metro councilor faces 4 newcomers in race for president". The Oregonian. Retrieved 2026-05-25.
- ↑ "Mayoral candidate Broussard believes he can make a real difference". KATU. 2016-04-25. Retrieved 2026-05-25.
- ↑ Francis, Hana (2026-05-08). "Metro Council president and district seats up for election". Street Roots. Retrieved 2026-05-25.
- ↑ Griffin Kennedy, Theresa (2026-05-15). "Bruce Broussard is running for Metro President!". The Portland Daily Blink. Retrieved 2026-05-25.