Our good friend, Roberto, wrote last month’s Democratic Party of Douglas County’s Guest Editorial highlighting the challenges of being a candidate for election. It is good to report that several Democrats from across Southern Oregon have risen to that challenge, which is not an easy thing to do being blue in a red area of the state. However, this is the essence of a democracy; standing for office and giving citizens a chance to choose who they would have to represent them for everything from road districts to the presidency. This editorial seeks to acquaint readers with our candidates in the coming elections.
In the 2nd Congressional District, stretching from Camas Valley to the Idaho border, there is a Democratic Primary race between Dan Ruby and Steve Liable. We know little about them except that either man would be a substantial improvement over the incumbent who currently votes against appropriations for which he returns home to claim credit. Please stay tuned to this primary race.
Congresswoman Val Hoyle is running for her first re-election as our U.S. Representative for Oregon’s 4th congressional district. Congresswoman Hoyle has worked to revitalize Coos Bay and to bring good jobs to her district. Like her predecessor she works with labor and industry, including timber, to make it happen.
In the race for House District 1, Bret Cecil is running for a second time for this seat, challenging Court Boice who was appointed to become the incumbent by other Republicans, not voters. As a former candidate for this seat, the Curry County resident understands this rural district and wants more attention and preparation for the coming earthquake, as well as more funding for rural schools and medical services.
Also from the coast and running for House District 9, is Erik Schuttpelz. Schuttpelz retired from the Coast Guard, where he was a helicopter pilot. His primary concern is to develop practical solutions to the many issues around homelessness, including affordable housing and better health services.
August Warren is a write-in candidate for the Democratic nomination for House District 2. After graduating from the University of Tennessee Chattanooga with a degree in philosophy and environmentalism, he came to Oregon to lead a forestry crew helping fire-wise rural communities. Focused on building strength through community, his policy concerns are education, the homelessness crisis, natural resources, workers’ rights, and cost of living.
Richard Chasm is running for the Democratic nomination in House District 4. This is a huge, rural district running from Olalla, where he has lived most of his life, to Williams. An activist and community leader for many decades in Douglas County, Chasm has proven himself an effective problem solver and one who will work across party lines to do so. He has been working with community members in Douglas County on an innovative concept where land use and forest policies create local political power and long-term wealth for all rural residents. Mr. Chasm is running to see Community Forests go from a concept to a law the Governor signs.
Tracy Thompson, from Grants Pass, is running for Oregon Senate District 2. With a background in bioscience and medical innovations, Mr. Thompson seeks mobile health clinics for a variety of healthcare services, to serve our rural areas and make sure access is available where people need it. Thompson also recognizes the need to find genuine solutions to homelessness and is working with local agencies to leverage existing programs, as well as develop new ones.
Voting for Democrats will give you a real voice in Salem. The political power at the State Legislature resides in the majority caucus of the Democratic Party. Like it or not, we often see important decisions being made along party lines. Having our rural voices heard and laws passed accordingly may depend on making sure we have representatives in that caucus. Our Republican representatives have not served us well. Southern Oregon Democrats have a better chance of bridging the rural\urban divide that exists and playing a role in making sure rural issues are addressed.
Although only registered Democrats get to have a vote about these candidates in May, everyone will be able to decide in the November election whether Democrats provide a better option for the people and our community. We believe the things that show our party cares about everyone’s long-term well-being will be clear.
Due to the reasons listed, the Democratic Party of Douglas County extends an invitation to our Republican challengers for offices throughout Southern Oregon. After the primary elections, we ask that they meet us in public debate and allow the voters to choose who will represent this part of our state in the next Legislature and Congress. It is a political system known as representative democracy. This year’s elections are the best opportunity we have to play our part.”
This article was published in the News-Review on Apr 6 2024.
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