Stay ConnectedBack to Basics is the straight-shooting podcast where Oregon State Rep. Jeff Helfrich tells it like it is. No spin, no talking points—just the facts. From rising crime to the cost of living, Jeff breaks down the real issues Oregonians face and what’s actually happening in Salem.
Whether you’re frustrated with politics or just want the truth without the noise, Jeff brings you honest conversations that get straight to the point.
Because in Oregon, it’s time we get back to basics.
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On this episode of Back to Basics, Jeff Helfrich welcomes Rep. Ed Diehl of House District 17, covering rural Marion, Linn, and Benton Counties. From his sawmilling family in Plains, Montana, to founding a 100-employee tech company and serving Scio since his 2022 election, Ed shares how his engineering grit and rural values drive his fight for simpler government. This episode is about real solutions for small towns, straight from the heart of Oregon. Tune in for a voter-first conversation!
Oregon’s biggest industry is on the brink of collapse — not because of weather or demand, but because trial lawyers found a loophole. Now, outdoor rec businesses are being sued out of existence, and insurance companies are pulling out of the state. House Bill 3140 is a simple fix to stop the bleeding and save our $17 billion outdoor recreation industry. Jeff Helfrich sits down with Mount Hood Meadows CEO Matthew Drake to explain what’s going on — and why we need to act fast.
On this episode of Back to Basics, Jeff Helfrich sits down with Rep. Greg Smith of House District 57, Eastern Oregon’s voice and Oregon’s longest-serving legislator. From his Portland birth and Gresham upbringing to calling Heppner home, Greg shares how his small business grit and 24 years in Salem drive his fight for rural Oregon. This episode is about simplifying government and delivering real results for small towns. Tune in for a voter-first conversation!
On this episode of Back to Basics, Jeff Helfrich sits down with Rep. Alek Skarlatos of House District 4. A Douglas County native, Oregon National Guardsman, and the 2015 Paris train hero, Alek shares how his small-town roots and raw courage shape his fight for Southern Oregon—Canyonville and beyond. This episode is about community grit and simplifying government to deliver real results for Oregonians. Tune in for a down-to-earth, voter-first conversation!
On this episode of Back to Basics, Jeff Helfrich sits down with Senator Bruce Starr of District 12, covering rural Polk and Yamhill Counties. From his Hillsboro farm upbringing to building businesses and serving Oregon from ’99 to 2014, Bruce shares how he’s back in Salem to simplify government for small towns. This episode is about real, hands-on solutions for rural Oregonians, straight from the dirt to the Capitol. Tune in for a voter-first conversation!
On this episode of Back to Basics, Jeff Helfrich sits down with Rep. Kevin Mannix of House District 21. Kevin shares how his childhood in Ecuador, Panama, and Bolivia shaped his no-nonsense approach to public service, bringing clarity to government in Salem for communities like Keizer and North Salem. This episode is about simplifying the mess of government with real, voter-focused solutions that work for Oregonians. Tune in for a grounded conversation!
On this episode of Back to Basics, Jeff Helfrich sits down with his mentor, Mike Reese—former Multnomah Sheriff, Portland Police Chief, and now Oregon Corrections Director. From their shared days as deputies to Mike’s decades of service, hear how he’s kept communities at the heart of law enforcement through every challenge. This episode is about real leadership, simplifying solutions, and putting people first for a safer Oregon. Tune in for a grounded, voter-focused conversation!
Join Jeff Helfrich on Back to Basics as he sits down with Virgle Osborne, State Rep for House District 2. From his Roseburg roots to his business hustle and public service grind, Virgle shares how he fights for Southern Oregon—Roseburg, Sutherlin, and beyond—by cutting through government mess to deliver real, common-sense solutions. This episode is all about keeping it simple and voter-focused, showing how small-town grit gets big results for Oregonians. Tune in and join the conversation!
In the very first episode of Back to Basics, host Jeff Helfrich sits down with Oregon State Senator Mike McLane for a candid, wide-ranging conversation about service, values, and leadership in today's America.
They dive into their shared small-town roots, military service, and how their lives shaped their view of government. Mike shares what it’s like being a Republican in a Democrat-majority state—and how he still finds ways to get things done.
Together, they tackle the erosion of trust during COVID, the rise of cancel culture, and why it’s time to return to the foundational principles of the rule of law and limited government. This episode sets the tone for the series: honest talk, real stories, and a focus on what matters most.
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