Newsroom

Politics shares a genetic link to pro wrestling. Both require stamina, keen reflexes, and sometimes, cunning. False rage is common during moments of confrontation. Fans cheer and jeer. Participants go down but are never truly out. After all, there must be a rematch, in the ring or at the ballot box. That’s how the game is played.

State Rep. Ben Bowman, D-Tigard, now finds himself squarely in the center of the ring. Just like he always dreamed. Well, almost anyway.

“When I was a kid, I dreamed of being a professional wrestler. I had all their action figures. In fact, I still do,” he said with a laugh. “I remember going to a WWE event in Seattle. I wanted to be that guy.”

Bowman says he has a closet full of wrestling videos and games. They are likely good study material for his next bout as Majority Leader of Oregon House Democrats. Now that’s something to grapple with.

“I am really excited about the opportunity to lead a great group of Democrats,” Bowman said.

A state representative for just slightly more than a year, Bowman’s rapid ascent to the top post in the majority caucus, while not unprecedented, is highly unusual. It is both testament to his stature among fellow caucus members, as well as a reflection of the experience he has garnered despite his youthful age of 32.

Bowman has previously held positions with former House Majority Leader Val Hoyle, and has served as the chief of staff to former House member Margaret Doherty. He also spent multiple years on the Tigard-Tualatin School Board, including a stint as chairman.

Stepping into the center ring comes with both opportunity and peril. There is often a fine line between coming out OK or exiting KO. His task is to lead the caucus campaign effort, deciding where to pile resources and when to make the call to a hopeful candidate regrettably announcing he is going to pull the plug from the caucus life-support apparatus.

His job is a blend of guidance counselor and cheerleader, drill sergeant and tactician. This time, those action figures will be brought to life as he hopes to map and execute a plan that will extend the Democrats’ margin in the Oregon House.

When the campaign season ends, a more formidable challenge begins — the metamorphosis from political combat into cooperative governance.

Bowman provides a glimpse into his philosophy through his work as a podcaster alongside Republican political operative Reagan Knopp on their podcast, “Oregon Bridge.”

In a Dec. 13 episode, Bowman said a challenge of leadership is “how locally you can transcend partisan national political dynamics to be productive at the state level.”

He noted that for both his Democrat and Republican colleagues, “most of them want to work toward solving problems rather than advance a partisan agenda.” Bowman has shown he does more than just listen to others; he also strives to hear. It is a critical skill if one truly is to be regarded as a genuine leader.

His challenge next session, as majority leader, will be to advance the agenda of a partisan caucus. He may need to master the art of the rope-a-dope to fend off the desire of some caucus members who prefer body slams. If he helps elect a super-majority, his job will become more difficult rather than easier. There will always be members demanding something should be done “just because we can.”

Bowman appears up to the task. He has the perfect combination of a Stanford education and a commonsense degree.

Fortunately, his tag-team partner in the House will be newly elected Speaker Julie Fahey, D-Eugene, who like Bowman understands that effective governance flows through a deep commitment to pragmatism.

There will be plenty of challenges ahead. But ‘Bone Crusher’ Bowman has prepared long and hard. His first real bout  begins after primary election day, May 21. Then the ringside bell will strike initiating Round one. Let the political fight begin.