November 28th, 2024

Democrats celebrate local, state victories

Carolyn McLeod was ecstatic after learning Tuesday evening that she had a narrow lead over opponent Kevin Kreitman in the Albany City Council Ward 2B race. Michael Thomson was all smiles as the winner of the three-way Albany City Council Ward 1B race. Both joined others for the Linn Dems Watch Party at Calapooia Brewing. McLeod's lead continued to widen slightly, and she declared victory on Saturday, Nov 9.

Post-election message
​from Linn Dems Chair Jerred Taylor

Nov. 6, 2024
Friends, 
  I want to start by taking a moment to acknowledge the pain, fear and frustration that many of us are going through right now. For many, the emotions we are feeling today cut much deeper than the those we experienced in 2016. 
This time, we know. 
​  We know what is at stake, we know who is at risk, and we know that we have to keep pushing forward with resolve and purpose. 
Even though the top of the ticket didn’t go as we had hoped and expected nationwide, we still have quite a bit to be proud of and to fight for here at home. Kamala Harris and Tim Walz energized and activated hundreds of volunteers ready to stand up for our rights and freedom. We are grateful to them for stepping up to run in this unprecedented election, and for your work over the last several months.
  Thanks to your effort, Oregon will have a fierce defender of our State’s rights in Attorney General Elect Dan Rayfield, reasoned and responsible management of our State’s finances and investments with Treasurer Elect Elizabeth Steiner, and strong leadership for protecting the integrity of our elections with Secretary of State Elect Tobias Read.
   I am also incredibly optimistic that Janelle Bynum will come out on top and flip the 5th Congressional District, and, as of this post, there is still a chance that this seat is the one that gives us a majority in the House of Representatives. 
   Our local slate of City Council candidates in Albany did great last night as well. In Ward 1 and Ward 3, Michael Thomson and Marilyn Smith appear to be winning their races with a clear majority of support from voters, and Carolyn McLeod is leading in current vote returns in Ward 2. I will reiterate, these campaigns received a major boost thanks to your efforts. Your calls, your postcards, your conversations with your neighbors and friends, and your contributions made all the difference. 
​   I also want to acknowledge and thank several candidates who stepped up, put themselves out there and put in the work this cycle. Though they may not have won their races, they have continued to move the ​

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Jackie Montague, Circe Verba and Nichole Case (not pictured) got things set up for a festive evening. Verba, who chairs the Linn Dems Communications Committee and served as our campaign office manager, emceed the watch party and thanked those who volunteered during the campaign.

Terrence Virnig, right, joined by Greg Ivers, Sheree Speaks-Mahi and Ben Watts, came up short but ran a great race against HD15 incumbent Shelly Boshart Davis. Vernig captured 41 percent of the vote, the best showing yet against Boshart Davis.

needle in a big way. Terrence Virnig is on track to hold 
​the incumbent to their lowest vote share in House District 15 since my attempt at that seat in 2018. David Scranage turned out a good amount of voters opposed to the incumbent County Commissioner, and Ivan Maluski made a great effort at  unseating a representative in solid-red House District 11. This work 
​matters.
   In this moment, I know that many of us are looking for community, for support and for ways to stand up and fight for the folks we care about. Know this, the Linn County Democrats will continue their fight for a more just, more fair, and more equitable future for all. We’re not going away, we’re not shying away from fighting for what’s right, and we will keep pushing forward, together.
  In solidarity and determination,
   — Jerred Taylor
       Linn County Democrats Chair