Blog Archives

'We've made it. All of us'

Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson marks her historic Supreme Court confirmation with a moving speech on the White House lawn.

• Jackson notes the progress she represents in her journey (April 8, NPR)
• Biden marks historic confirmation (April 8, NBC News)
• Analysis: Jackson's confirmation confronts a partisanship that threatens to tear America apart. (April 8, CNN)

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Linn Dems elect Heath as 3rd vice chair,
give Stamp of Approval to six candidates

Our new Owl all-in-one, 360 camera, mic and speaker made for a smooth hybrid meeting April 7, when we met via Zoom and in person at Albany Public Library.

Susan Health is the new 3rd Vice Chair of the Linn County Democratic Central Committee. Heath, a longtime party volunteer, was elected by acclimation April 7 during the LCDCC’s monthly general meeting.
Nancy Greenman said Heath “always seems to be willing to do the work and knows what’s going on.”
Heath said she’s impressed that the Linn Dems have made meetings more inclusive, and she praised the Neighborhood Leader Program and the “great candidates” who have stepped forward.
“I would like to be a little more involved and be the 3rd Vice Chair,” she said.
Heath succeeds Mark Leonard, who was appointed acting 3rd Vice Chair last month to temporarily fill a vacancy. Miriam Cummins served as 3rd Vice Chair until resigning earlier this year.
In other action April 7, the Linn Dems gave Stamps of Approval to the following Democratic candidates: Nina Brenner, Mary Cooke and Renee Windsor-White, all running collaboratively for the House District 11 nomination in the May 17 Primary Election; Ben Watts, House District 15; Scott Bruslind, Linn County Commissioner; and Deidre DeJear, Iowa governor.
April 7 also marked the first hybrid meeting for the Linn Dems Twenty-six people attended via Zoom, while eight others attended in person at Albany Public Library for the first time since March 2020. The newly purchased Owl 360 degree camera, mic and speaker made it easy for everyone.

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April 13th, 2022

4/13/2022

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A heads up about the 5th Congressional District

Heads up: most of Linn County is no longer in the 4th Congressional District, and Peter DeFazio is retiring after his exemplary service to Oregon. Most of Linn County will now be in the 5th Congressional District.
Another heads up: the Linn County Democrats have proudly endorsed Jamie McLeod-Skinner for Oregon's 5th Congressional District (as have the Marion Dems - Democratic Party of Marion County, Oregon, Clackamas County Democratic Party, and Deschutes Democrats).
And finally another heads up: the deadline to update your voter registration to Democrat to be able to vote for Jamie in the May primary is 𝗧𝘂𝗲𝘀𝗱𝗮𝘆, 𝗔𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗹 𝟮𝟲𝘁𝗵 and can be done online by visiting https://secure.sos.state.or.us/orestar/vr/showVoterSearch.do
Jamie McLeod-Skinner for Oregon #teamjamie

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April 07th, 2022

4/7/2022

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Fred Meyer issues apology, works with NAACP to address
racial discrimination claims from Black shoppers

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April 07th, 2022

4/7/2022

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Transgender Day of Visibility:
A message from Michelle Risher

"On this Transgender Day of Visibility, we honor transgender people who are fighting for freedom, equality, dignity, and respect. We also celebrate the parents, teachers, coaches, doctors, and other allies who affirm the identities of their transgender children and help these young people reach their potential. Transgender people are some of the bravest Americans I know, and our Nation and the world are stronger, more vibrant, and more prosperous because of them. To transgender Americans of all ages, I want you to know that you are so brave. You belong. I have your back."
– Excerpt from President Joe Biden's Proclamation
on Transgender Day of Visibility, March 31, 2022

In 2010, trans advocate Rachel Crandall, head of Transgender Michigan, created the Transgender Day of Visibility (TDOV) to raise awareness about transgender people and draw attention “to the poverty, discrimination, and violence the community faces.”
Every March 31st, the TDOV is a celebration of the lives and contributions of a wonderful tapestry of trans lives, having so much to offer, but far-too-often victimized, with unrealized, untapped potential, wasted in lives of not-so-quiet desperation, lived largely internally in fear and violence.
Beginning with Trump’s attack on transgender patriots serving or wanting to serve in our military, Republicans have launched a ceaseless assault on transgender, nonbinary, and intersex lives since 2016. And since their defeats in November of 2020, they have stepped up their unfounded and hateful legal and rhetorical attacks.
By May 7of last year, a Human Rights Campaign press release stated that officially, 2021 was the worst year in recent history, breaking 2015’s record, with laws passed:
• Making it a felony to provide transgender youth with life-saving health care;
• Banning transgender girls from participating in sports;
• Erasing LGBTQ people from school curriculum; and,
• Granting broad licenses to discriminate against LGBTQ people.
These Republican efforts have targeted the trans community across the country. Recently, and most frighteningly, a former Mississippi Republican representative and author of the state’s death penalty law, tweeted the transgender individuals and their supporters “…need to be lined up against [a] wall before a firing squad to be sent to an early judgment.”
All of this under the pretense of ‘religious freedom”, attempting to legitimize an anti-evidence/anti-science mindset with the terrifying goal of criminalizing and eradicating all trans, gender nonconforming, or intersex human beings on a global basis.
I know first-hand—and all-too-well—what living a bifurcated life, in fear of discovery, does not only to all whose gender is determined solely upon a purely physical, unscientific cursory examination. Also, the collateral damage wreaked upon our circle of family, friends, and lovers or spouses.
These are the learned truths of a 68-year-old trans woman with disabilities. It has everything to do with living a life as someone other than myself, and unless we pass the Equality Act, we will be condemning generations of trans siblings to a similar fate.
On this Transgender Day of Visibility, I am asking that trans Democrats step forward and achieve far more than I ever will, ensuring that not only are we visible, but we are fully equal, making the pursuit of life, liberty, and happiness a reality.
In solidarity,
Michelle Risher
Oregon Delegate to the Democratic National Committee
Former Chair, Democratic Party Oregon of Stonewall Caucus

Stonewall Caucus Website

JOIN THE STONEWALL CAUCUS

Donate to the Stonewall Caucus

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April 01st, 2022

4/1/2022

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Linn Dems endorse McLeod-Skinner,
give Hoyle stamp of approval

The Linn County Democratic Central Committee has voted overwhelmingly in favor of endorsing Jamie McLeod-Skinner in her May 17 primary election run for Oregon’s 5th Congressional District.
The vote came during a Feb. 22 special meeting of the Linn County Democratic Central Committee on Zoom.
At its regular monthly general meeting March 6, the LCDCC gave a "stamp of approval" to Val Hoyle, current Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries Commissioner, in her primary run for 4th Congressional District. The Linn Dems also elected Susan Heath as a State Central Committee delegate, replacing Miriam Cummins, who resigned. There were no nominations for the 3rd vice chair position that Cummins had held, but Mark Leonard has since been appointed to fill the vice chair vacancy until the April 7 central committee meeting
Linn Dem Genny Lynch made the motion to endorse McLeod-Skinner at the Feb. 22 special meeting. “I’ve gotten to know Jamie by attending her many Zoom meetings on various issues and the meet the candidates’ nights she has led,” Lynch said. “I have learned that she listens, she is open to new information and solutions, she is respectful of all and she truly cares. Jamie has our values, and she will have our backs.”
McLeod-Skinner spoke briefly. Working across the political divide and creating solutions, she said, “is work I do every day.”
Of the 44 people in attendance, 30 were Precinct Committee People who were eligible to vote on the motion. In the vote, only
two voices could be heard in opposition to the endorsement.
The vote followed a lengthy discussion about proposed Standing Rule 2022-01: Endorsement and Stamp of Approval Process for Elected Offices and Ballot Measures. With amendments, the standing rule was approved 27-2 in a roll-call vote.

• Democrats in four counties endorse McLeod-Skinner (March 18, Oregon News)

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April 19th, 2022

'We've made it. All of us'

Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson marks her historic Supreme Court confirmation with a moving speech on the White House lawn.

April 19th, 2022

Linn Dems elect Heath as 3rd vice chair,
give Stamp of Approval to six candidates

April 13th, 2022

A heads up about the 5th Congressional District

April 07th, 2022

Fred Meyer issues apology, works with NAACP to address
racial discrimination claims from Black shoppers

April 07th, 2022

Transgender Day of Visibility:
A message from Michelle Risher

April 01st, 2022

Linn Dems endorse McLeod-Skinner,
give Hoyle stamp of approval

News & Updates

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April 19th, 2022

'We've made it. All of us'

Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson marks her historic Supreme Court confirmation with a moving speech on the White House lawn.

April 19th, 2022

Linn Dems elect Heath as 3rd vice chair,give Stamp of Approval to six candidates

April 13th, 2022

A heads up about the 5th Congressional District

April 07th, 2022

Fred Meyer issues apology, works with NAACP to addressracial discrimination claims from Black shoppers

April 07th, 2022

Transgender Day of Visibility:​A message from Michelle Risher

April 01st, 2022

Linn Dems endorse McLeod-Skinner,​give Hoyle stamp of approval

News & Updates

Archives

Categories

Linn Dems elect Heath as 3rd vice chair,
give Stamp of Approval to six candidates

Fred Meyer issues apology, works with NAACP to address
racial discrimination claims from Black shoppers

Transgender Day of Visibility:
A message from Michelle Risher

Linn Dems endorse McLeod-Skinner,
give Hoyle stamp of approval