January 28th, 2025

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 

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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.

​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."

Linn County Democrats newly elected officers, delegates and alternates

Officers

• Chair: Ben Watts
• 1st Vice Chair: Nichole Case
• 2nd Vice Chair: Susan Heath
• 3rd Vice Chair: Sheree Speaks-Mahi
• Treasurer: Jackie Montague
• Secretary: Renee Windsor-White
• Ambassador: Cindy Bethell

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State Central Committee

• Delegates: Susan Leonard, Raquel Padilla Moore, Nathan Burroughs
• Alternates: Stacey Bartholomew, Nichole Case, Bob Smith

Congressional District 5 Committee

• Delegates: Katie Pleis, Ashley Sisneros, Steve Harbert
• Alternates: Elaine Wilder, Genny Lynch, Mark Leonard

Congressional District 4 Committee

• Delegate: Cindy Bethell

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.

Linn Dems officers

State Central Committee

CD5 and CD4 Committees