Linn County Democrats, holding "WE ❤️ JERRED" placards, gather Jan. 2 for a farewell group photo with outgoing Chair Jerred Taylor and his husband Keith Kolkow (holding the cake), who served as Linn Dems Event Chair and in many other capacities. Jerred and Keith will soon move to Rennes, a city in northwest France, where Jerred has accepted a new role in his company.
Merkley responds to worries
about Trump administration chaos, confusion
Sen. Jeff Merkley’s 583rd town hall was a timely one Saturday given the chaos and confusion caused during the first 12 days of the second Trump administration.
More than 300 people turned out for Merkley’s hourlong town hall at Linn-Benton Community College's Russell Tripp Performance Center in Albany. Most of the questions focused on the uncertainties coming out of Washington. Merkley had this to say on a number of issues: • Protecting civil servants. Russell Vought, last director of the Office of Management and Budget in first Trump administration, is the nominee for the same position again. An architect of Project 2025, Vought came before the Senate Budget Committee, for which Merkley is the top Democrat, last Monday. “He said a bunch of things that were deeply disturbing.” Merkley said. “He believes, and I’m quoting him now, he wants to ‘traumatize’ our government workers until they view themselves as villains and quit. He wants to take tens of thousands of workers who are nonpartisan experts — professionals — and replace them with unqualified loyalists. I don’t want to loyalist in a control tower for an airport. I want a professional. I don’t want a loyalist doing the programming to run our Medicaid program, or issue of how we get the grants out for our Title I schools. I want people who know what they’re doing.” “A lot of the attitude that Mr. Vought brought was: ‘We don’t care about the law and we don’t care what the courts have said. We’re going to do want we want, and after we’re done it you can take us to court.’ We’re going to push back in every way we can.” • Elon Musk. “(He) has this unofficial role, very much stepping in as if he’s been confirmed for some important role. And he proceeds to push out a ‘fork-in the road’ letter that says if you quit now and write your name and and reply to this email, we will pay you (through September). We will put you on leave. That doesn’t exist in the law. Paying people to not do their jobs? How is that government efficiency? We’ll be pushing back.” • Defense secretary: “We want people who know what they’re doing. Mr. (Pete) Hegseth is absolutely not qualified to be our defense secretary.” • Veterans benefits: A veteran who served in the Army from 1999-2006 told Merkley she’s worried about losing her VA and disability benefits. “We’re not going back … We’re standing with you,” Merkley assured her, as the audience gave her a standing ovation. • Republican tax plan. Merkley noted that Project 2025 includes massive cuts to family programs, such education, housing and health care, and trillions of dollars in tax cuts for billionaires. “This to me is a great betrayal,” he said. "President Trump said he’s going to fight for families. You cut the programs for families and give the treasury to the rich? It will |
also take more borrowing and add to the deficit to deliver on those tax cuts, he added. “It’s a terrible plan. I hope we can put a spotlight on it and stop it. That’s our goal."
• Gaza: “It’s my hope we will get a permanent ceasefire,” Merkley said. adding that a regional security arrangement and a Palestinian state are “the only way I see of breaking the cycle.” *** Before fielding questions, Merkley honored the NAACP Linn Benton Branch for its ongoing work, and presented Barry Jenkins, the organization’s president, with a flag that flew over the U.S. Capitol. Also in attendance Saturday were Albany Mayor Alex Johnson, who drew the random numbers for people to ask questions; LBCC President Lisa Avery; Linn County Commissioner Will Tucker; Albany City Councilor Marilyn Smith; State Sen. Sara Gelser Blouin; and State Rep. Darin Harbick. — Graham Kislingbury, Linn County Democrats *** For more from the town hall, click the video buttons below. |
Linn Dems to hold hybrid meeting Thursday, Feb. 6

Can you believe it's only been a month since the year started? And these last few weeks ... We know it's hard, but we need you to stay connected. We are stronger together!
Our second monthly general meeting of 2025 will be at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 2, at Albany. Public Library, 2450 14th Ave. S.E., and on Zoom. Social hour starts at 6 p.m. To register for Zoom access to the meeting, please click the button below.
***
Overwhelmed by the news? That’s the goal
Sociologist Jennifer Walter explains: the chaos we’re seeing isn’t accidental — it’s a strategy. Overloading us with rapid policy changes and media noise is meant to overwhelm, distract, and disengage.
Here’s how to resist:
• Focus on what matters: Choose two to three issues to prioritize. You can’t tackle everything.
• Find trusted sources: Follow experts who provide clear, big-picture analysis.
• Take your time: Pause 48 hours before reacting to new policies for better context
• Work together: Share the load with your community.
• Write a letter to the editor to the Democrat Herald
• Call your representatives.
They want us scattered and passive. Staying focused and organized is how we fight back.
— Linn County Democrats
Our second monthly general meeting of 2025 will be at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 2, at Albany. Public Library, 2450 14th Ave. S.E., and on Zoom. Social hour starts at 6 p.m. To register for Zoom access to the meeting, please click the button below.
***
Overwhelmed by the news? That’s the goal
Sociologist Jennifer Walter explains: the chaos we’re seeing isn’t accidental — it’s a strategy. Overloading us with rapid policy changes and media noise is meant to overwhelm, distract, and disengage.
Here’s how to resist:
• Focus on what matters: Choose two to three issues to prioritize. You can’t tackle everything.
• Find trusted sources: Follow experts who provide clear, big-picture analysis.
• Take your time: Pause 48 hours before reacting to new policies for better context
• Work together: Share the load with your community.
• Write a letter to the editor to the Democrat Herald
• Call your representatives.
They want us scattered and passive. Staying focused and organized is how we fight back.
— Linn County Democrats
We need to support federal workers
The Linn Benton Neighborhood Leader Team sent out following message in a Jan. 29 email:.
Shortly after the election we talked about how there would be a moment when they come for one of us, they come for all of us. This is that moment.
We need to support federal workers.
Federal civil servants are scrambling to keep critical programs running in the wake of the chaotic freeze/then freeze of the freeze/and now recission of the freeze (what’s next?) on federal grants and loans. They’ve also all received a “no-questions-asked” number to call to turn in their colleagues who are committing the cardinal sins of working on equity or green energy issues. And now they are reckoning with the Hobson’s Choice of leaving their jobs now, with a so-called “buy out”, or staying on to do the people’s work and potentially being fired. They have been given just over a week to make this monumental decision.
This hurts all of us. Here are just a few ways each of us and our neighbors rely on federal employees:
Reach out: Many of us know people who work for the federal government, and people whose work is funded by the federal government. Reach out. Offer support. Offer an understanding ear. Ask how you can help.
Write a letter to the editor of the Democrat Herald – Gazette Times. Voice your support for federal workers and the federal grant programs many of them administer. Educate readers about one or two ways they are personally being impacted. Specifically ask how Shelly Boshart Davis and Jaimie Cate plan to protect ranchers, farmers, small businesses, wildland fire fighters, veterans, seniors, etc. from Trump’s reckless and senseless attacks on the federal workers and funding we all pay for and depend on.
Call your representatives: Voice your unwavering support for them standing up for our American values in every way possible. Share your concerns with your state and federal representatives. Ask them how they are going to support federal workers to keep these vital services in place and functioning.
Continue networking: As we all know, the purpose of these cruel and chaotic actions are to make us give up. Supporting and encouraging each other (including to take a break when needed!) will keep us all strong.
Let’s show these would-be emperors how true patriots act!
Thanks to you all, and see you on Feb. 9 at the next Neighborhood Leader Zoom meeting.
— Carrie, Steve, Linda, Mark, Carol, Brenda, Susan & Nancy
Linn Benton Neighborhood Leader Team
Shortly after the election we talked about how there would be a moment when they come for one of us, they come for all of us. This is that moment.
We need to support federal workers.
Federal civil servants are scrambling to keep critical programs running in the wake of the chaotic freeze/then freeze of the freeze/and now recission of the freeze (what’s next?) on federal grants and loans. They’ve also all received a “no-questions-asked” number to call to turn in their colleagues who are committing the cardinal sins of working on equity or green energy issues. And now they are reckoning with the Hobson’s Choice of leaving their jobs now, with a so-called “buy out”, or staying on to do the people’s work and potentially being fired. They have been given just over a week to make this monumental decision.
This hurts all of us. Here are just a few ways each of us and our neighbors rely on federal employees:
- That weather app on your phone? That is fueled by data collected, analyzed, modeled, and distributed by federal employees. That same data and analytical work is essential to farmers, wildland firefighters, road maintenance crews, and more.
- Speaking of fire… Contrary to what Rep. Boshart Davis would have us believe, the biggest wildfire in Oregon in 2024 was a range fire. The leading research on rangeland fire is headquartered in Corvallis, and conducted by federal employees in partnership with OSU scientists funded by federal grants.
- Our local food banks feed seniors, children, and adults who cannot otherwise make ends meet. Much of the food they provide, the rent they pay, and the refrigerators and freezers they rely on are funded by federal grants. Federal employees administer those grants.
- The City of Albany's Economic Opportunity Grant Program provides grants up to $10,000 to eligible small businesses for the purpose of creating jobs for low- income Albany residents. This program is funded by a federal grant, and that federal grant is administered by federal workers.
- Veterans’ health, Social Security, Medicare, food safety, clean water regulations, clean air regulations, and so much more are only possible because of the work of federal employees and their partners funded by federal grants.
Reach out: Many of us know people who work for the federal government, and people whose work is funded by the federal government. Reach out. Offer support. Offer an understanding ear. Ask how you can help.
Write a letter to the editor of the Democrat Herald – Gazette Times. Voice your support for federal workers and the federal grant programs many of them administer. Educate readers about one or two ways they are personally being impacted. Specifically ask how Shelly Boshart Davis and Jaimie Cate plan to protect ranchers, farmers, small businesses, wildland fire fighters, veterans, seniors, etc. from Trump’s reckless and senseless attacks on the federal workers and funding we all pay for and depend on.
Call your representatives: Voice your unwavering support for them standing up for our American values in every way possible. Share your concerns with your state and federal representatives. Ask them how they are going to support federal workers to keep these vital services in place and functioning.
Continue networking: As we all know, the purpose of these cruel and chaotic actions are to make us give up. Supporting and encouraging each other (including to take a break when needed!) will keep us all strong.
Let’s show these would-be emperors how true patriots act!
Thanks to you all, and see you on Feb. 9 at the next Neighborhood Leader Zoom meeting.
— Carrie, Steve, Linda, Mark, Carol, Brenda, Susan & Nancy
Linn Benton Neighborhood Leader Team
People's March
It was 35 degrees in downtown Corvallis on Saturday morning, but that didn't stop more than 200 marchers from warming up for anticipated resistance to coming policies from a second Trump administration. The People's March in the Heart of the Valley started in front of the Benton Country Courthouse, then wove through downtown streets, with people carrying protest signs and chanting, as well as walking dogs and pushing baby strollers. Participants also heard speeches and singers, and sipped hot chocolate near the end. The march came less than 48 hours before Trump's inauguration, an event that many of his opponents say they don't plan to watch.
Linn Dems honor outgoing Chair Jerred Taylor;
gavel is passed to newly elected Chair Ben Watts
Linn County Democratic Central Committee's newly elected officers, delegates and alternates
Officers
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State Central Committee
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To view photos of the 2025-26 Linn County Democratic Central Committee officers and State Central Committee and Congressional District delegates and alternates, click the links below.
Linn Dems T-shirts, merch available
Linn County Democrats T-shirts in various sizes and featuring an eye-catching front graphics are available online. In addition to T-shirts, we have a variety of buttons and catchy stickers. All are available online by clicking the Linn Dems Merch link below.
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About the Linn County Democratic Central Committee
The Linn County Democratic Central Committee (LCDCC) of Oregon welcomes all those, regardless of party affiliation, who support our ideals. We’re an all-volunteer organization that works hard to elect Democrats to represent the people of Linn County at local, state and national levels. Our meetings are generally held on the first Thursday of the month. The next meeting will be at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 6, in person at Albany Public Library, 2450 14th Ave. S.W., and on Zoom. To register for Zoom access, please click here.
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