Linn County Democrats, holding "WE ❤️ JERRED" placards, gather 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.
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People's March
Marilyn Gryte and Dena Minato of Albany face passing motorists along Fourth Street before the start of the People's March in the Heart of the mid-valley on Jan. 18.
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.
Corvallis resident Sue Jenkins, a retired school librarian, didn't march but let her thoughts be known about the threats to our democracy, in front of the Benton County Courthouse.
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One of many protest signs in the march.
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Claire Lingenfelter of Corvallis smiles at approaching eastbound vehicles at the corner of Van Buren Avenue and Third Street.
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Video: Marchers head east on Van Buren Avenue during the People's March in the Heart of the Valley.
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Biden delivers farewell address to the nation
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• President warns that an ‘oligarchy’ of ultrarich in U.S. threatens future of democracy (Jan. 15, Associated Press)
• Key lines from Biden's farewell address (Jan. 15, CNN) • 'Oligarchies suck': Rachel Maddow on what Biden said for the 'first time' in his farewell address (Jan. 15, MSNBC) • Five things to know about Biden's address that also served as a warning to the country (Jan. 15, MCNBC) |
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Jack Smith's final report
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• Report sheds light on crimes Trump dodged (Jan. 15, Democracy Docket)
• Trump would have been convicted, if he hadn't been elected, DoJ report says (Jan. 14, BBC) • Top 5 takeaways from Jack Smith's final report nn Trump's Jan. 6 case. (Jan. 14, Axios) • Smith writes biting defense of Jan. 6 probe (Jan. 13, NBC) • Full text of Special Counsel Jack Smith's report (Jan. 7, U.S. Department of Justice) |
Albany councilors, mayor sworn in
City Clerk Erik Glover swears in Councilor Michael Thomson.
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City Clerk Erik Glover swears in Councilor Carolyn McLeod.
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Two new Albany city councilors and a returning one — all of whom were endorsed by the Linn County Democrats in the Nov. 5 General Election — were were sworn in, as was Mayor Alex Johnson, at the Jan. 8 Albany City Council meeting. Michael Thomson (Ward 1B) and Carolyn McLeod (Ward 2B) are first-time councilors. Marilyn Smith (Ward 3B) is starting her second term. Johnson was reelected for his third term as mayor. Other members of the council are Steph Newton-Azorr (Ward 1A), Jackie Montague (Ward 2B) and Ramycia McGhee (Ward 3B). In a 4-3 vote, Newton-Azorr was elected Council President, who will fill in for the mayor when he can't be in attendance or is out of town. The council and mayor are nonpartisan positions, but all seven members are Democrats, and four of the councilors are Democratic Precinct Committee People. We wish them all well in 2025.
City Clerk Erik Glover swears in Councilor Marilyn Smith
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City Clerk Erik Glover swears in Mayor Alex Johnson.
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Linn Dems honor outgoing Chair Jerred Taylor;
gavel is passed to newly elected Chair Ben Watts
 Susan Leonard praises Jerred Taylor for all his work as chair since 2019.
The Linn County Democrats held their biennial reorganizational meeting Jan. 2 at Albany Public Library, electing Ben Watts as chair and celebrating outgoing Chair Jerred Taylor’s leadership over a six-year span that saw tremendous growth of the county party.
Taylor urged the party to continue to grow and make a difference in Linn County. "I hope as we go into what is going to probably be a challenging couple years that we all continue to resolve to make our communities better, to focus where our energies are going to do the most good," he said. "So let’s make sure that we are doing everything we can to support one another, and let's fight and win . "Let’s continue to drive Linn County even more purple. Let’s keep going and make a difference to our communities. Thank you all.” After being elected by acclamation as chair and receiving the Linn Dems’ gavel from Taylor, Watts made a few remarks. ‘’We all share the desire to make our (Linn County) community better, to make it more inclusive, more equitable, more just for everybody,” he said. "We can be confident that, whatever we decide to do, we’re going to do it together, because what we do together is what makes us stronger in this community. ... “I thank all of you for the confidence you’re placing in me as we go forward from here." |
Newly elected Chair Ben Watts and outgoing Chair Jerred Taylor shake hands, as Taylor is about to pass the gavel to Watts.
The Crazed Weasels — Judy Arter and Loren Ford — sing about the coming years with their version of "Side by Side" by Kay Starr.
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Linn County Democratic Central Committee's newly elected officers, delegates and alternates
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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.
Jimmy Carter, the 39th president,
humanitarian and Nobel laureate, dies at 100
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• Jimmy Carter's funeral brings together 5 current and former presidents to honor one of their own (Jan. 9, AP)
• Former president built a legacy as a tireless champion for peace (Dec. 29, CBS News)
• Opinion: President Carter was faithful to the end (Dec. 29, MSNBC)
• Biden and former presidents remember Jimmy Carter's life and legacy (Dec. 29, USA Today)
• Rep. Barbara Lee remembers President Carter (Dec. 29, MSNBC)
• Graphic: The 10 longest-living presidents — and the shortest (Dec. 29, PBS News Hour)
• Portland couple remembers hosting President Carter in 1978 (Dec. 31, KATU TV)
• Gallery: Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter through the years (Dec. 29, CNN)
• Former president built a legacy as a tireless champion for peace (Dec. 29, CBS News)
• Opinion: President Carter was faithful to the end (Dec. 29, MSNBC)
• Biden and former presidents remember Jimmy Carter's life and legacy (Dec. 29, USA Today)
• Rep. Barbara Lee remembers President Carter (Dec. 29, MSNBC)
• Graphic: The 10 longest-living presidents — and the shortest (Dec. 29, PBS News Hour)
• Portland couple remembers hosting President Carter in 1978 (Dec. 31, KATU TV)
• Gallery: Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter through the years (Dec. 29, CNN)
Linn Dems T-shirts, merch available
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.
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