 Donald Trump and Elon Musk think this country belongs to them. They're taking everything they can get their hands on, and daring the world to stop them. On Saturday, April 5th, Albany Region Indivisible and our like-minded partners are taking to the streets locally — and nationwide — to fight back with a clear message: Hands off! Meet at the Linn County Courthouse at noon.
A short march starts at 12:15, followed by a rally along Ellsworth Street until 2 p.m. Email [email protected] with questions Signs of the times: Friday protests |
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CD5 Committee elects new officers, Democratic Party of Oregon standing committee members
Delegates and other participants gathered virtually for the 2025 Congressional District 5 organizational meeting March 5. Linn County was well represented by 10 attendees, including CD5 Delegates and Alternates, State Central Committee Delegates and Alternates, and Precinct Committee People.
CD5 is tasked with helping to elect and support a Democratic representative to Congress in the Fifth District, and also with organizing support for Democratic candidates throughout the district..
Congratulations to new CD5 officers: Chair Eileen Kiely of Deschutes County, Vice Chair Susan Rodway of Clackamas County, Secretary Karyssa Dow of Marion County and Legislative Monitor Deb Barnes of Clackamas County.
The CD5 representative to the Democratic Party of Oregon Executive Committee will be Adam Kane, a new PCP from Clackamas.
The CD5 Committee also elected members to DPO standing committees. Linn County will be well represented as follows:
— Mark Leonard
Organization Chair
Linn County Democrats
CD5 is tasked with helping to elect and support a Democratic representative to Congress in the Fifth District, and also with organizing support for Democratic candidates throughout the district..
Congratulations to new CD5 officers: Chair Eileen Kiely of Deschutes County, Vice Chair Susan Rodway of Clackamas County, Secretary Karyssa Dow of Marion County and Legislative Monitor Deb Barnes of Clackamas County.
The CD5 representative to the Democratic Party of Oregon Executive Committee will be Adam Kane, a new PCP from Clackamas.
The CD5 Committee also elected members to DPO standing committees. Linn County will be well represented as follows:
- Budget Committee: Steve Harbert (Delegate).
- Credentials Committee: Nichole Case (Delegate); Steph Newton (Alternate).
- Rules Committee: Mark Leonard (Delegate); Elaine Wilder (Alternate).
- Local Events and State Fair Committee: Ashley Sisneros (Delegate); Stacey Bartholomew (Delegate); Katie Pleis (Alternate); Raquel Padilla Moore (Alternate).
— Mark Leonard
Organization Chair
Linn County Democrats
Linn Dems endorse GAPS, ESD candidates
The Linn County Democratic Central Committee has endorsed five candidates in the May 20 Special District Election.
Three of the candidates seek election to the Greater Albany Public Schools Board, and two are running for seats on the Linn-Benton-Lincoln Education Service District Board of Directors.
For the GAPS Board, the candidates receiving endorsements during a special Zoom meeting Friday evening were::
• Bill Hays (Zone 1) a retired United Methodist minister who also was a special education bus driver in the Albany school district. Linn Democrat Nancy Greenman said she admires Hays’ “compassion, sense of humor and sense of responsibility.”
• Michael Thomson (Zone 3) is an Albany City Councilor and past GAPS board member. He was appointed to the ESD board to fill a vacancy last year and is running unopposed. “I have great respect for Michael Thomson,” said Linn Democrat Susan Leonard, “particularly around education.'
Linn Dems Chair Ben Watts said more nominations from Precinct Committee People can be considered at the organization’s monthly meeting April 3. PCPs must, however, send notification of a nomination for a measure or candidate to [email protected] by Thursday, March 27.
Three of the candidates seek election to the Greater Albany Public Schools Board, and two are running for seats on the Linn-Benton-Lincoln Education Service District Board of Directors.
For the GAPS Board, the candidates receiving endorsements during a special Zoom meeting Friday evening were::
- Kristopher Schendel (Zone 1), senior code compliance officer for the city of Albany and the father of three school-age children. “I’ve worked with Kristopher through the city and found him to be an honest and patient person,” said Jackie Montague, an Albany City Councilor and Linn Democrat.
- Stephanie Lunceford (Zone 2), a mortgage loan originator, said she has raised her four children for 27 of the 30 years she has lived in Albany. She said her oldest child was enrolled in special education classes and her youngest has struggled with anxiety. “It’s important to make the schools more inclusive … and better for our students’ well being,” Lunceford said.
- Kris McLaughlin (At-Large, No. 2) is a retired teacher who taught for 38 years at Calapooia Middle School. “I want to be part of bringing this district back together again,” McLaughlin said. Linn Democrat Stacey Bartholomew said McLaughlin “has a depth of wisdom I have seldom seen.”
• Bill Hays (Zone 1) a retired United Methodist minister who also was a special education bus driver in the Albany school district. Linn Democrat Nancy Greenman said she admires Hays’ “compassion, sense of humor and sense of responsibility.”
• Michael Thomson (Zone 3) is an Albany City Councilor and past GAPS board member. He was appointed to the ESD board to fill a vacancy last year and is running unopposed. “I have great respect for Michael Thomson,” said Linn Democrat Susan Leonard, “particularly around education.'
Linn Dems Chair Ben Watts said more nominations from Precinct Committee People can be considered at the organization’s monthly meeting April 3. PCPs must, however, send notification of a nomination for a measure or candidate to [email protected] by Thursday, March 27.
'Honk-and-wave' protest planned Friday in Albany
Given that the news never stops Albany Regional Indivisible has decided to make its honk-and-wave protest a regular event. "Unless there are extenuating circumstances and until further notice, we're rallying every Friday, from 4 to 6 p.m., in downtown Albany (on Ellsworth Street at Fourth Avenue, by City Hall and the Linn County Courthouse)," said Indivisible member Bernadette Niederer. "Bring your opinions, bring your signs!"
Nathan Solz elected DPO chair
Nathan Solz Nathan Solz, a Marion County Democrat, has been elected chair of the Democratic Party of Oregon. He succeeds two-year chair Rosa Colquitt.
“Nathan Solz cut his ‘political teeth’ with the Jackson County Democrats where he served as an intern before he was a teenager and not old enough to vote,” the Jackson County Democrats wrote on their Facebook page, in a congratulatory message to Solz. “He went on to serve many roles in our local party as a Precinct Committee Person and as Vice Chair of the Jackson County Democrats. Those of you who have worked with Nathan here in Jackson County know first hand what an outstanding leader he is.”
Solz was elected March 16 during the second and final day of the DPO State Central Committee meeting at the Oregon State University Memorial Union in Corvallis. Also:
• Kim Schmith of Jefferson County was reelected state party vice chair.
• Eileen Kiely of Deschutes County was reelected state party vice chair.
• Jesse Maldonado of Lane County was elected state party secretary.
“Nathan Solz cut his ‘political teeth’ with the Jackson County Democrats where he served as an intern before he was a teenager and not old enough to vote,” the Jackson County Democrats wrote on their Facebook page, in a congratulatory message to Solz. “He went on to serve many roles in our local party as a Precinct Committee Person and as Vice Chair of the Jackson County Democrats. Those of you who have worked with Nathan here in Jackson County know first hand what an outstanding leader he is.”
Solz was elected March 16 during the second and final day of the DPO State Central Committee meeting at the Oregon State University Memorial Union in Corvallis. Also:
• Kim Schmith of Jefferson County was reelected state party vice chair.
• Eileen Kiely of Deschutes County was reelected state party vice chair.
• Jesse Maldonado of Lane County was elected state party secretary.
More than 900 people turned out for Sunday's Town Hall in the LBCC Activities Center.
Wyden, Bynum fire up Town Hall crowd
 Ron Wyden chats with Oregon State Sen. Sara Gelser Blouin after the town Hall. U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden and Rep. Janelle Bynum fired up a friendly crowd of more than 900 during a 90-minute Town Hall on Sunday afternoon in the Linn-Benton Community College Activities Center. Both emphasized that they hear the voices of constituents loud and clear and are doing everything in their power to push back against the increasingly damaging policies of the Trump administration. Bynum even led the crowd in a chant: “Given ‘em hell, Linn County!” she exhorted. “Give ‘em hell, Janelle!” the crowd roared back. Wyden said that he’s committed to using more whistle blowers. “I got the word from whistle blowers when Medicaid portals (were) shut down, he said, noting that within 12 hours they were back up. “Courts are pushing back,” he added. “And let's stand up for U.S. marshals, who ensure there’s not going to be a coup." Bynum, a former eight-year state representative, said she came to Congress this year to be a disrupter. “I refuse to allow (Trump) to be a destroyer,” she said. “We can’t let it be Elon Musk and his billionaires boys club.” Wyden took aim at Musk later in the Town Hall. “Elon Musk called Social Security a Ponzi scheme,” he said. “What I’m concerned about on Social security is this administration beginning to hallow out the government functions — laying people off (and saying) the technology isn’t getting taken care of … When you hallow a program out and start taking away those key functions that have been performed by government and start handing them to private contractors, you’re on your way to privatizing Social Security, and it’s not going to happen on my watch. Period." This was the 1,107th town hall for Wyden and the first time he teamed up with Bynum. The two headed north for a Clackamas County Town Hall later Sunday afternoon. LBCC President Lisa Avery hosted the Linn County event with Albany Mayor Alex Johnson. Other elected officials on hand included State Sen. Sara Gelser Blouin, Albany City Councilors Jackie Montague, Marilyn Smith and Michael Thomson, Linn County Commissioner Will Tucker, Salem City Councilor Irvin M. Brown and LBCC Board Chair Jeff Davis. |  Picture U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden, Albany Mayor Alex Johnson and U.S. Rep. Janelle Bynum.  Ron Wyden poses with Nancy Mildren of Corvallis after the town hall.  Albany City Councilor Jackie Montague and Mayor Alex Johnson talk with Janelle Bynum after the town hall. • Ron Wyden: In My Opinion: Under Trump, it's not business as usual. Here's how we fight back. (March 16, Oregonian) • Will packed town halls have an impact? (March 16, Oregonian) |
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