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      • Mayor, Council winners
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    • Elección 2024 (Espanol) >
      • Kamala Harris, Pres. y Tim Walz, Vicepres.
      • Janelle Bynum, Congreso, Distrito 5
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  • May 20, 2025, Election
    • Kristopher Schendel, GAPS Zone 1
    • Stephanie Lunceford, GAPS Zone 2
    • Kris McLaughlin, GAPS At-Large Position 2
    • Brad Longman, LBCC Zone 5
    • Bill Hays, ESD Zone 1
    • Michael Thomson, ESD Zone 3
    • Renewal of Albany Ambulance, Fire and Police Local Option Tax

June 18th, 2025

6/18/2025

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June 14th, 2025

6/14/2025

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Lebanon Strawberry Festival Grand Parade

Linn Democrats and East Linn Indivisible join forces for a fun time

The Usual Suspects provided great music on our float

Check out the videos below, with Robert Waterhouse on fiddle, Louanne Fugal on bass, John Donoghue on mandolin, Guy Chilton on guitar and Bill Geibel on banjo. Thank you, Usual Suspects!
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June 14th, 2025

6/14/2025

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May 20 Special District Election

election Results

It's official: Five candidates endorsed
​by Linn County Dems score victories

PictureKris McLaughlin
June 13 update:
   The May 20 Special District Election concluded Thursday, June 12,  with certification of the election by Oregon county election officers, including those in Linn and Benton counties. The final results confirmed what was known soon after the election: Five of the six candidates endorsed by the Linn County Democrats won their races and the Albany public safety local option tax, also receiving the Linn Dems' endorsement, passed.
  Here's a recap:
 • Kris McLaughlin never trailed in a close race against Tim Washko, winning the Greater Albany Public Schools Board At-Large Position 2 seat.
   McLaughlin, a retired Calapooia Middle School teacher, defeated Washko by 98 votes — 4,866 (38.41 percent) to 4,768 (37.64) percent). Marcy Hermens finished distant third with 2,996 votes (23.65 percent).
  In a Facebook post June 13, thank everyone who helped on her campaign and looked ahead.
  "Now the work begins," she said. "It is my intention to do all I can to contribute to the smooth, effective operation of the board and create a more positive tone between district administration, school staff members, and the community. I encourage you to participate in this by keeping in touch with what the schools are doing — attending events, getting to games, enjoying concerts, attending meetings — and talking up the positive things you see. If you have children in school and you really like what is going on in the school or classroom, tell people about it. "
  • GAPS Zone 2: Stephanie Lunceford won her race against Jenna Gould.
  • GAPS Zone 1: Kristopher Schendel finished a strong second in the three-way race. Incumbent Brad Wilson won reelection, and Deanna Varner finished third.
  • Linn Benton Lincoln ESD Zone 1: Bill Hays won a three-way race.
  • Linn Benton Lincoln ESD Zone 3: Michael Thomson, unopposed, cruised to victory.
  • Linn-Benton Community College Zone 5: Brad Longman defeated John Saran.
  • Albany Ambulance, Fire and Police Local Option Tax passed by a 77 to 22 percent margin.
***
  The Linn Dems didn't make endorsements for Lebanon school board or Lebanon Aquatics District Board, but Linn County Neighborhood Leaders canvassed for three candidates who defeated opponents backed by the Linn County Conservative Alliance. Winning those races were: Lorlee Engler, Lebanon Community School District Board, Zone 2; Nichole Piland, Lebanon Community School District Board, Zone 5; and Julie Miller, Lebanon Aquatics District, Position 4;
   The Linn-Benton Community College Zone 2-3 (A) race was the closest one of all, with challenger Rachel Biscoe defeating incumbent Stacie Wass-Schoenborn by 26 votes out of a total of 9,022 votes cast.

Video remarks at the election night watch party

Clockwise from top left: GAPS Board candidates Stephanie Lunceford, who won her race, and Kris McLaughlin, who was leading hers and went on to win; Linn County Democrat Susan Leonard, who concluded the evening with an inspirational speech; Linn Benton Lincoln ESD Board winners Bill Hays and Michael Thomson; and Benton County Dems Chair Gabe Shepherd,  speaking on behalf of GAPS Board candidate Kristopher Schendel; 
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June 03rd, 2025

6/3/2025

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After her hourlong Town Hall on Monday in Albany, Rep. Janelle Bynum stopped for a quick photo outside the Timber Ridge School gym before heading to Portland for a night flight back to Washington, D.C.

Rep. Janelle Bynum: 'We're in a fight
​for the soul of our country'

It seemed only fitting that Rep. Janelle Bynum opened the second stop on her "Give 'Em Hell Tour" of the 5th Congressional District by leading the audience of more than 100 at Timber Ridge School in Albany in the same chant she led a few months ago at her Linn County Town Hall with Sen. Ron Wyden at LBCC.
  "Give 'em hell, Linn County!" Bynum implored.
  "Give 'em hell, Janelle!" the crowd roared.
  After two more rounds of chants, the congresswoman took a more serious tone at Monday's Town Hall.
  "We're in a fight for the soul of our country," she said, outlining what she's doing to fight policies of the Trump administration that attack "programs and services that we rely on — the very foundation of this country."
   "I’m fighting back," she said, "flying coast to coast. It’s 3,000 miles each way. I’m going twice a week and I’m standing up. So I’m bringing the fight from the streets and the roads and the fields of Oregon to the steps of Congress, to every committee room, every courtroom and every news room that I can.
   "That means when my Republican colleagues bring up their trash bill for a vote, I fight to change that bill and I speak out against it . When our president breaks the law or violates the constitution, I join forces with my colleagues to sue him and remind him that there are no kings here."
  
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  She said the protests of Oregonians and people around the ​country are making a difference.
​    "As a result of your efforts, we forced the rehiring of federal ​
workers. We 
​​kicked Elon Musk out of our government, We forced Trump to backtrack on threats to Social Security and Medicare."
​   "When Oregonians are angry I show up and listen. That’s why I’m barnstorming across this district to hear from all of you," she said. "Your voice fuels this fight. One of the most important things you can do is to tell me what’s on your mind."
   For the next 40 minutes, people did just that. To see Bynum's responses to the questions from the audience, click the link below.
Videos of Rep. Bynum's Town Hall Q&A
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June 02nd, 2025

6/2/2025

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Videos: Rep. Janelle Bynum's June 2
​Albany Town Hall Q&A

Part 1
Part 2
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June 02nd, 2025

6/2/2025

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May news from the State Capitol — and beyond

May
• 'A big gut punch': Universities have lost millions in science funding (May 31, Oregonian/Oregon Live)
• Judge blocks effort to ban foreign students from Harvard (May 25, Associated Press)
• Judge blocks Trump orders to gut Department of Education (May 23, Associated Press)
• House Republicans pass Trump's big bill of tax breaks, program cuts 
(May 23, Oregonian/Oregon Live)

• Oregon working on guidance for local courthouses if ICE shows up (May 19, Oregonian/Oregon Live)
• Measles vaccination rate keeps dropping among Oregon kids (May 19, Oregonian/Oregon Live)
• Democrats advance scaled back gun control measure (May 16, Oregonian/Oregon Live)
• Opinion: How Republicans became America's de-growth party (Shadi Hamid, Washington Post)

• Oregon leaders decry Republican plan to cut federal food benefits (May 15, Oregonian/Oregon Live)
• Lawmakers left with millions left to spend after forecast (May 15, Oregonian/Oregon Live)

• Trump shut out refugees, but made white South Africans an exception (May 12, Washington Post)
• Essay: The battle for our memory is the battle for our country (May 12, Kimberly Crenshaw, as part of Time special report "Five Years Later, American Looks for a Way Forward After George Floyd")
• Opinion: In a city that has always embraced its underdogs, imaginations abound for 'Da Pope' (May 10, Chicago Tribune Editorial Board) 
• Opinion: Trump's bullying backfired and gave Canada a new political hero  (E.J. Dionne, Washington Post in Oregonian)
• Opinion: Consumers beware — Tariffs are already damaging the supply chain (May 1, Jim Geraghty, Washington Post in Oregonian)
• Advocates for Oregon foster kids hit hard by federal funding cuts (May 1, Oregonian/Oregon Live) 

• Feds cut off funds for organizations that help disabled crime victims (May 1, Oregonian/Oregon Live)
• Trump orders immigration showdown against sanctuary cities (May 1, Oregonian/Oregon Live)
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June 01st, 2025

6/1/2025

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Neighborhood Leaders
​plan June 1 debrief on election

​

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 We hope you'll join us on Zoom at 6:30 p.m. Sunday, June 1, as we collectively debrief the Special Election.  (To register for Zoom access, please contact Nancy Greenman.)
  We'll share the (impressive!) data on what Neighborhood Leaders achieved. We'll look to you all to share your experience: -- How did you reach out to your voters? How did it go? What lesson can we draw from our experience that might be of use next time around?
  Finally, we'll discuss whether Neighborhood Leader has a role in our work from now until we begin to gear up for the May 2026 Primary.
  If you still have outreach information to enter into oregonnlp.org thank you for doing that today!

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May 22nd, 2025

5/22/2025

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Weekly honk-and-wave protests
continue every Friday in downtown Alban
y

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Resistance to the Trump administration's reckless policies and total disregard for government ethics (Trump accepting the gift of a $400 million luxury jet from Qatar topping the recent list) continue around the country. That includes the weekly honk-and-wave protests from 4 to 6 p.m. every Friday in downtown Albany. Bring your signs and opinions to any of the four corners of the Ellsworth Street-Fourth Avenue intersection. Albany Regional Indivisible has organized this ongoing protest. (The photos were from the May 2 honk-and-wave, which drew 36 protesters. Thirty-five turned out for the May 9 protest.)
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May 22nd, 2025

5/22/2025

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Letter from the Chair
Thank you to all who volunteered time
and energy in the May 20 Special Election

PictureBen Watts
  I want to take a moment to recognize the enormous effort that went into supporting our endorsed candidates across Linn County, including the GAPS board to the LBCC seat in western Linn County, to the two Linn-Benton-Lincoln ESD positions that together cover nearly the entire county. Additionally, many Neighborhood Leaders worked hard to support a group of women candidates for the Lebanon school board and aquatic district. While these candidates were not formally endorsed by the party, the efforts of those volunteers likewise have earned well-deserved recognition and thanks.
  Thousands of volunteer hours went into this, from door-knocking, to writing letters and postcards, contacting friends and neighbors, and sharing information online. At every step of the way, the dedication of our candidates and our volunteers has shone through.
  I know the outcome for one GAPS board position was disappointing for many of us who care deeply about our public education system. We have heard some frustration around endorsements, so I want to share a bit about our process.
 The Linn County Democrats Campaigns Committee worked closely with several candidates over the past several months. All three of our endorsed GAPS candidates spent that time meeting with members, attending events like the GAEA / GA-ACE forum, building their campaign teams and developing campaign plans.
  In the case of the GAPS Zone 1 position, Deanna Varner filed on the day before the filing deadline. We invited her to speak with us at our endorsement meeting and welcomed the chance to hear from her, but this was our first opportunity to connect. While many members liked what she had to say, the timing made it difficult to fully evaluate her alongside Kristopher Schendel, whom our membership then voted to endorse.
Our endorsement was never about opposing the educators or their priorities. We deeply respect our educators and believe we’re aligned in our commitment to strong, inclusive public schools. We did the best we could with the information and relationships we had at the time.
  Now, more than ever, we need to come together. Moving forward, we’re committed to listening, learning, and continuing to build stronger coalitions in our community, including our education partners. Let’s refocus on the values we hold in common and keep showing up.
  Finally, I want to thank everyone who supported our students, educators, and community in this election.
To all of you who volunteered your time and energy: Thank you!
Gratefully,
Ben Watts
Chair, Linn County Democrats


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May 19th, 2025

5/19/2025

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May Day Protest

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​May Day protests were held around the country Thursday, including one in front of the Linn Country Courthouse that was  hosted by the Greater Albany Public Schools certified and classified unions. In a flyer promoting the event, organizers asked "educators, families and community members to stand up to attacks on public education. Show your support and wear red for ed!" About 60 people turned out, and many did wear the same red shirts that teachers and supporters wore during the three-week strike that ended nearly five months ago. Among the speakers Thursday was Stephanie Lunceford, above, a GAPS Board candidate who is endorsed by the Linn County Democrats and the two school unions. The Linn Dems also endorse Kristopher Schendel and Kris McLaughlin in GAPS Board races. Ballots started arriving at residences today. The special district election ends at 8 p.m. Tuesday, May 20.
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    • Election 2022
    • Election 2024 >
      • Mayor, Council winners
      • Kamala Harris, Pres. Tim Walz, Vice Pres.
      • Janelle Bynum, CD5
      • Val Hoyle, CD4
      • Tobias Read, Secretary. of State
      • Elizabeth Steiner, State Treasurer
      • Dan Rayfield, Attorney General
      • Mike Ashland, SD9
      • Ivan Maluski, HD11
      • Michelle Emmons, HD12
      • Terrence Virnig, HD 15
      • David W. Beem, HD17
      • David Scranage, Linn Commissioner
      • Michael Thomson, Alb. Council, Ward 1B
      • Carolyn McLeod, Alb. Council, Ward 2B
      • Marilyn Smith, Alb. Council, Ward 3B
      • Ballot Measures
    • Elección 2024 (Espanol) >
      • Kamala Harris, Pres. y Tim Walz, Vicepres.
      • Janelle Bynum, Congreso, Distrito 5
      • Terrence Virnig, Distrito 15 de la Cámara de Representantes
      • Carolyn McLeod, Concejo Municipal de Albany, Distrito 2B
      • Marilyn Smith, Concejo Municipal de Albany, Distrito 3B
  • Resources
    • Resistance Resources
  • May 20, 2025, Election
    • Kristopher Schendel, GAPS Zone 1
    • Stephanie Lunceford, GAPS Zone 2
    • Kris McLaughlin, GAPS At-Large Position 2
    • Brad Longman, LBCC Zone 5
    • Bill Hays, ESD Zone 1
    • Michael Thomson, ESD Zone 3
    • Renewal of Albany Ambulance, Fire and Police Local Option Tax