Paul Damian Wells is a retired electrical engineer and machinist from Corvallis, Oregon. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps starting in 1978. Wells earned a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering from Purdue University (1984) and a graduate degree in electrical engineering from Portland State University. He previously worked as a design engineer and CNC machinist before retirement. Wells is a frequent Democratic primary candidate who ran for Oregon Secretary of State in 2024, losing in the Democratic primary.
Wells represents electoral reform advocacy more than traditional Democratic politics. His repeated candidacies since 1992 indicate long-term commitment to voting system reform and independent voter rights as core principles. His engineering background and Marine Corps service suggest technical and analytical approach to policy issues. Limited fundraising and campaign activity in 2026 race suggests he is not a serious challenger to Merkley, with primary campaign appearing motivated more by advocating for ranked choice voting and independent voter inclusion than by expectation of victory.
Ranked choice voting and independent voter access
Runs repeatedly in Democratic primaries partly to protest exclusion of independent voters, claiming over 43% of Oregon voters are not affiliated with major parties. Advocates for ranked choice voting to prevent split-vote scenarios.
Voting History: Has run for office multiple times since 1992; stated motivation is protest against independent voter exclusion
Not applicable - Wells has not held elected office and has no voting record.
Campaign messaging focuses on electoral system reform and voting access rather than traditional partisan Democratic messaging.