Vandal hurls rock through |
 Mark Leonard, Linn Dems Organization Committee chair, measures for a temporary plywood cover for the damaged window. Shards of glass were strewn throughout the Linn County Democrats campaign office Wednesday morning, Oct. 23, the act of a vandal who threw a rock through the front window. The incident happened sometime after 7 p.m. Oct. 22 and before 9:40 a.m. Oct. 23, when a volunteer arrived to pick up canvass information. The organization filed a police report, and the incident is under investigation. The shattered window came after reports in recent weeks of thefts of Harris-Walz, and Bynum lawn signs in west and North Albany. While several Linn Dem officers cleaned up the mess the mornng of Oct. 23, a Queen Avenue resident came to the office to report that a tow truck deliberately backed over his lawn signs at 6:30 a.m. Oct. 18. That incident was captured on the resident's security camera. “I’m frustrated and disappointed in the state of our current politics, where people think it’s OK to target folks who disagree with them politically and would do something like vandalize a political office,” said Jerred Taylor, chair of the Linn County Democrats. Ben Roche, chairman of the Linn County Republican also denounced the vandalism. "I felt we needed to send a strong message that we oppose any kind of political violence and intimidation," Roche told the Oregonian. The office was cleaned up by noon Oct. 23. Taylor is unfazed by the vandalism. “We’re not going to let political intimidation tactics stop us from doing the work of protecting democracy, and we’re going to continue operations,” he said. “Even though this has been a slight interruption, we’re going to keep on going until Nov. 5 and make sure we’re going to elect Democrats down the ballot.” Anyone whose lawn signs are stolen, or whose |  Volunteers arrived Wednesday morning to a mess of glass, buttons, stickers on the floor.
Oct. 18 security camera video: Tow truck backs over Dem lawn signs on Queen Avenue. property is vandalized in the lead-up to Nov. 5 should call the Albany Police Department, 541-917-7680. The Linn County Democrats thank all those who have donated to assist with the $785 cost of the window replacement, and that includes more than $500 from Republican donors. |
Message from Linn Dems Chair Taylor
on the vandalism at our campaign office
Linn Dems Chair Jerred Taylor took the rock that was thrown through our campaign office window and spray-painted it blue Wednesday afternoon, Oct. 23. The words "We're not going back" now appear on the rock. An Oct. 23 message from Linn County Democrats Chair Jerred Taylor in response to vandalism at the official Democratic Headquarters in Albany:
Friends, I’m frustrated and disappointed in the state of our current politics, where people think it’s OK to target folks who disagree with them politically and would do something like vandalize a political office, steal yard signs, or shout obscenities at their neighbors. Last night (Oct. 22), a large rock was thrown through the front window of our campaign headquarters, causing extensive damage. Fortunately, nobody was in the building at the time of the incident, and our volunteers have been working hard to reopen the office. Years of relentless attacks on our values and the very foundations of our democracy have not stopped our efforts, and neither will this senseless vandalism. We’re not going to let political intimidation tactics stop us from doing the work of protecting democracy, and we’re going to continue operations. Even though this has been a slight interruption, we’re going to keep on working through Nov. 5 and make sure we’re going to elect Democrats down the ballot.
Even with insurance, responding to these events requires significant resources upfront and costs valuable volunteer time. Many in our incredibly supportive Democratic community have already reached out to ask how they can help, which means a great deal to us.
There is still much work ahead, but we at the Linn County Democrats are resolute and determined to do everything we can to support our values and help Linn County and Oregon become safer and more welcoming places for all of us. Thank you so much for your support, and the work continues.
In solidarity,
— Jerred Taylor
Linn County Democrats Chair
Friends, I’m frustrated and disappointed in the state of our current politics, where people think it’s OK to target folks who disagree with them politically and would do something like vandalize a political office, steal yard signs, or shout obscenities at their neighbors. Last night (Oct. 22), a large rock was thrown through the front window of our campaign headquarters, causing extensive damage. Fortunately, nobody was in the building at the time of the incident, and our volunteers have been working hard to reopen the office. Years of relentless attacks on our values and the very foundations of our democracy have not stopped our efforts, and neither will this senseless vandalism. We’re not going to let political intimidation tactics stop us from doing the work of protecting democracy, and we’re going to continue operations. Even though this has been a slight interruption, we’re going to keep on working through Nov. 5 and make sure we’re going to elect Democrats down the ballot.
Even with insurance, responding to these events requires significant resources upfront and costs valuable volunteer time. Many in our incredibly supportive Democratic community have already reached out to ask how they can help, which means a great deal to us.
There is still much work ahead, but we at the Linn County Democrats are resolute and determined to do everything we can to support our values and help Linn County and Oregon become safer and more welcoming places for all of us. Thank you so much for your support, and the work continues.
In solidarity,
— Jerred Taylor
Linn County Democrats Chair
The Bynum, Chavez DeRemer debates
 Picture Janelle Bynum supporters gather Oct. 8 at the KOIN Debate Watch Party at the Linn County Fair & Expo Center in Albany. | Janelle Bynum, Democratic candidates for Congressional District 5, debated her Republican opponent Lori Chavez-DeRemer three times in the lead-up to the Nov. 5 General Election. Below are the links to the Oct. 8 KOIN TV debate, Oct. 10 KTVZ debate and the Oct. 15 Central Oregon Daily News debate. |
Dems turn out for VP Debate Watch Party
More than 60 people turned out Oct. 1 for a festive Vice Presidential Debate Watch Party at the Linn County Fair & Expo Center, hosted by Linn County Democrats.
Besides the debate, for which the crowd was clearly in Tim Walz's camp, the evening included a pizza and salad dinner, bingo and raffles for prizes that included a pair of "I'm with her" sneakers and Harris-Walz T-shirts.
From the audience's reaction, Walz's best moment came near the end of the debate when he pressed J.D. Vance with a simple question: "Did he (Donald Trump) lose the 2020 election?" Dodging the question, Vance said, "Tim, I'm focused on the future."
Besides the debate, for which the crowd was clearly in Tim Walz's camp, the evening included a pizza and salad dinner, bingo and raffles for prizes that included a pair of "I'm with her" sneakers and Harris-Walz T-shirts.
From the audience's reaction, Walz's best moment came near the end of the debate when he pressed J.D. Vance with a simple question: "Did he (Donald Trump) lose the 2020 election?" Dodging the question, Vance said, "Tim, I'm focused on the future."
Laurie LaBrasseur had the winning raffle ticket for the Coach Walz sign that Oregon delegate Stephanie Newton brought home to Albany from the Democratic National Convention in Chicago.
At Right: Shortly before the debate, the audience rose to sing "Happy Birthday" to Jimmy Carter, who on Tuesday became the first former president to turn 100.
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Linn Dems Chair Jerred Taylor emceed the watch party and led the county Central Committee meeting following the debate.
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The Vice Presidential Debate
DPO Chair Rosa Colquitt
joins canvassers in Albany
Rosa Colquitt, Democratic Party of Oregon chair, gathers with canvassers Sunday at the Linn Dems campaign office. From left are Donovan, Mark, Wendy, Rosa, Teressa, Susan, Elizabeth, Janel and Carolyn.
 Rosa Colquitt chats with Nancy Greenman, Linn-Benton NLP team leader. | Rosa Colquitt, Democratic Party of Oregon chair, came to Albany on Sept. 29 to join canvassers knocking on doors for CD5 candidate Janelle Bynum, HD15 candidate Terry Virnig and Albany City Council candidates Carolyn McLeod, Michael Thomson and Marilyn Smith. Chair Colquitt chatted with canvassers and gave them a pep talk before heading out to canvass in an Albany neighborhood. Canvassing for Janelle Bynum will continue Oct. 5-6 in Lebanon. Thank you to Rosa and to everyone who has canvassed so far and those who plan to do so in the crucial weeks ahead. Go to the link below to sign up to canvass or phone bank with the Bynum campaign. |
Sun shines on HD15 candidate
Terrence Virnig's house party
It poured on the morning of Oct. 4, but by 4 p.m. the skies were clear and the sun was shining for House District 15 Candidate's Terreance Virnig house party at his home in Millersburg. Thanks to the more than 20 family members, friends and supporters who turned out for the two-hour event. And special thanks to Brenda Sterner for the many hors d'oeuvres she served and to Virnig's daughter, Jessica, who cooked the chili, and his wife, Janice, who made the muffins. Virnig is also doing "Talk with Terry" events from 3 to 5 p.m. Sundays at Springhill Cellars Winery, 2920 N.W. Scenic Drive in North Albany. and 10:30 a.m. Tuesdays at Allan Bros Coffee, 1852 Fescue St., Albany.
 Michael Thomson |  Carolyn McLeod |  Marilyn Smith |  Ivan Maluski |
Linn Dems endorse Albany council, HD 11
candidates and statewide ballot measures
The Linn County Democratic Central Committee has unanimously endorsed three candidates — Michael Thomson, Carolyn McLeod and Marilyn Smith — in non-partisan Albany City Council races and nonaffiliated candidate Ivan Maluski, who will oppose Republican Jami Cate in the Oregon House District 11 race. All will appear on the Nov. 5 General Election ballots.
Democrats who won federal, state and county primary elections in May were automatically endorsed by the Linn County Democrats.
During the Sept. 5 Linn Dems monthly meeting at Albany Public Library, the central committee also unanimously endorsed four statewide ballot measures (115, 116, 117 and 119) and endorsed a fifth measure (118) in an 18-7 show-of-hands vote.
Democrats who won federal, state and county primary elections in May were automatically endorsed by the Linn County Democrats.
During the Sept. 5 Linn Dems monthly meeting at Albany Public Library, the central committee also unanimously endorsed four statewide ballot measures (115, 116, 117 and 119) and endorsed a fifth measure (118) in an 18-7 show-of-hands vote.
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