Linn County Democrats Platform Convention delegates gathered for a group photo after completing their work May 23 at Albany Public Library.
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Paula Connaghan, shown at last year's parade, is again provided her truck and trailer for the Linn Dems' float entry. Thank you, Paula.
Join us June 6 for the Strawberry Festival Grand Parade
Linn Dems Chair Ben Watts and his son, William, pass out candy at the 2025 Strawberry Festival Parade.
The Linn County Democrats will once again have a float in the annual Lebanon Strawberry Festival Grand Parade, scheduled for Saturday, June 6.
The parade kicks off at 11 a.m., starting at Main and Rose streets downtown. The route goes south on Main and South Santiam Highway, ending on Market Street.
Set-up for the Dems' float will start at 7 a.m. in the Lebanon High School parking lot, 1700 S. Fifth St. Thanks in advance to anyone who can help set up. The float, which this year will have two canopies, will move to the staging area, near the intersection of Sherman and Third streets, between 8 and 8:30 a.m.
Thanks to Paula Connaghan, our parade coordinator, who again is providing the truck and trailer for the Dems’ entry, and to our longtime driver, Dan Thackaberry.
Democrats, their families and friends are encouraged to join us, Connaghan said. “The more, the merrier.”
There will be some seating on the float, and people can walk alongside and behind the float and carry signs.
“We already have signs,” Connaghan said. “People can make signs, but they have to be positive.”
Help is also needed after the parade — sometime between 1:30 and 2 p.m. in the high school parking lot —to tear down the float and pack up the decorations.
The parade kicks off at 11 a.m., starting at Main and Rose streets downtown. The route goes south on Main and South Santiam Highway, ending on Market Street.
Set-up for the Dems' float will start at 7 a.m. in the Lebanon High School parking lot, 1700 S. Fifth St. Thanks in advance to anyone who can help set up. The float, which this year will have two canopies, will move to the staging area, near the intersection of Sherman and Third streets, between 8 and 8:30 a.m.
Thanks to Paula Connaghan, our parade coordinator, who again is providing the truck and trailer for the Dems’ entry, and to our longtime driver, Dan Thackaberry.
Democrats, their families and friends are encouraged to join us, Connaghan said. “The more, the merrier.”
There will be some seating on the float, and people can walk alongside and behind the float and carry signs.
“We already have signs,” Connaghan said. “People can make signs, but they have to be positive.”
Help is also needed after the parade — sometime between 1:30 and 2 p.m. in the high school parking lot —to tear down the float and pack up the decorations.
Linn Democrats approve 2026 county platform
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The Linn County Democratic Central Committee unanimously approved the organization's 2026 County Platform and Legislative Action Items during its monthly general meeting on June 4 at Albany Public Library
Sixteen delegates, all Linn County Democrats, spent four hours May 23 at Albany Public Library reviewing, editing and approving planks and legislative action items for the proposed county platform. Thanks to the delegates for shaping a platform that reflects the local party's values and to and to those who helped organize the event, including Brenda Sterner, who provided the food and beverages that kept everyone going; Greg Ivers, Linn Dems Platform Committee chair; and Genny Lynch, the convention coordinator. To view the platform and legislative action items, click the link below. 
Joanna Robinson, left, Democratic candidate for Oregon House District 15, and Suzanne Stewart review planks and legislative action items for "Housing and Land Use."
Discussing planks and legislative action items on "Democracy" are, from left, Michelle Gordon, Edie Koenig, Carolyn McLeod and Mark Leonard.
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Each convention delegate got to put 30 dots on the legislative action items they preferred.
Genny Lynch coordinated the Platform Convention.
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Friday Honk & Wave protests continue
The weekly Honk & Wave protests are scheduled for 4 to 6 p.m. Fridays on Ellsworth Street at Fourth Avenue in Albany and along Main Street at Academy Square in Lebanon. The Honk & Waves are organized by Albany Region Indivisible in Albany and East Linn Indivisible in Lebanon.
With Primary in the books, candidates set sights
on Nov. 3 General Election
Incumbent Democratic Gov. Tina Kotek glided to victory in the Primary Election that ended Tuesday evening. With 10 candidates in the race, Kotek garnered 84 percent of the vote. She will face a rematch in the Nov. 3 General Election with Republican State Sen. Christine Drazan, who defeated State Rep. Ed Diehl and former Trail Blazer Chris Dudley in Tuesday's Primary.
Kotek defeated Drazan in 2022.
Turnout was at 32 percent statewide, and nearly 39 percent in Linn County, as of Wednesday morning, May 20.
As expected, Measure 120, was resoundingly rejected by voters. The measure, which would have increased fuel taxes, registration and title fees for roads and tax on wages for public transportation services, was losing by more than 620,000 votes — 83 percent No to just under 17 percent Yes — as of Wednesday morning.
Kotek defeated Drazan in 2022.
Turnout was at 32 percent statewide, and nearly 39 percent in Linn County, as of Wednesday morning, May 20.
As expected, Measure 120, was resoundingly rejected by voters. The measure, which would have increased fuel taxes, registration and title fees for roads and tax on wages for public transportation services, was losing by more than 620,000 votes — 83 percent No to just under 17 percent Yes — as of Wednesday morning.
Primary winners
(Democrats listed in bold blue with their Republican opponents in the Nov. 3 General Election listed in parentheses. This does not include nonaffiliated and minor party candidates who can file for election from June 3 through Aug. 25.)
U.S. Senator — Jeff Merkley
(vs. David Brock Smith in the Nov. 3 Election.)
U.S. Representative, 4th District — Val Hoyle
(vs. Monique DeSpain in the Nov. 3 Election)
U.S. Representative, 5th District, Janelle Bynum
(vs. Patti Adair in the Nov. 3 Election)
Governor — Tina Kotek
(vs. Christine Drazan in the Nov. 3 election)
State Senator, 6th District — Sierrah Williams
(vs. Jack Tibbetts in the Nov. 3 Election)
State Senator, 8th District — Sara Gelser Blouin
(vs. Valerie Draper Woldeit in the Nov. 3 Election)
State Representative, 11th District — Ivan Maluski
(vs. Ken Jackola in the Nov. 3 Election)
State Representative, 15th District — Joanna Robinson
(vs. Shelly Boshart Davis in the Nov. 3 Election)
State Representative 17th District — David Nelson
(vs. Dan Farrington in the Nov. 3 Election)
Linn County Commissioner, Position 1 — Theodore "TJ" Hiner
(vs. Will Tucker in the Nov. 3 Election)
U.S. Senator — Jeff Merkley
(vs. David Brock Smith in the Nov. 3 Election.)
U.S. Representative, 4th District — Val Hoyle
(vs. Monique DeSpain in the Nov. 3 Election)
U.S. Representative, 5th District, Janelle Bynum
(vs. Patti Adair in the Nov. 3 Election)
Governor — Tina Kotek
(vs. Christine Drazan in the Nov. 3 election)
State Senator, 6th District — Sierrah Williams
(vs. Jack Tibbetts in the Nov. 3 Election)
State Senator, 8th District — Sara Gelser Blouin
(vs. Valerie Draper Woldeit in the Nov. 3 Election)
State Representative, 11th District — Ivan Maluski
(vs. Ken Jackola in the Nov. 3 Election)
State Representative, 15th District — Joanna Robinson
(vs. Shelly Boshart Davis in the Nov. 3 Election)
State Representative 17th District — David Nelson
(vs. Dan Farrington in the Nov. 3 Election)
Linn County Commissioner, Position 1 — Theodore "TJ" Hiner
(vs. Will Tucker in the Nov. 3 Election)
'This Land is Your Land'
East Linn Indivisible had a contingent of 15 members and friends, including some Linn County Dems, that walked in the Linn County Lamb and Wool Fair Parade on May 16 in Scio. They sang and played kazoos to "This Land is Your Land." "America the Beautiful" and "It's a Grand Old Flag."
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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. Meetings are generally held on the first Thursday of the month. The next meeting will be at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, June 4., at Albany Public LIbrary, 2450 14th Ave. S.E., and on Zoom. To register for Zoom, click here.
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