Celebrating 250 |
| In observance of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, city and county leaders, ministers, business owners, nonprofit representatives, community volunteers and citizens of Albany read the Declaration late Friday afternoon, July 3, to more than 60 people gathered in front of the Linn County Courthouse. The Declaration readers were Will Tucker, Alex Johnson II, Judi Saam, Oscar Hult, Elaine Kruger-Young, Peter Troedssen, Jared Ruari, Diana Vezmar-Bailey, Ramycia McGhee, Pam Thomas, Rick Staggenborg, Marilyn Smith, Leslie Chartier, Caryl Thomas, David Giles, Suzanne Woods, Rob Biggs, Stacey Bartholomew. Steph Newton, Carolyn McLeod and Barbara Nixon. Augustine DG, wearing a tricorn hat and Revolutionary-era attire, opened and closed the readings. A Declaration reading was held earlier in the day in front of Corvallis City Hall. The two events were organized by Lisa Bickham, Joe Esker and Suzanne Wood, all with Braver Angels’ Mid-Willamette Valley Alliance, which partnered for the day with Portland-based One Flag United. A follow-up discussion on “The Declaration in 2026” is scheduled for 6 p.m. Thursday, July 9, in room 213 of the Calapooia Center at Linn-Benton Community College, 6500 Pacific Blvd. S.W., Albany. Braver Angels Mid-Willamette Valley Alliance and the LBCC Civil Discourse Program will host the discussion. Registration, using the adjacent link is encouraged. | The reading of the Declaration of Independence. Rev. Allison Ruari from Albany First Christian Church leads the audience in singing the National Anthem at the conclusion of the program. |
Albany Pride 2026
The Linn County Democrats had good representation and a steady stream of visitors to our booth at the annual celebration June 28 in Monteith Riverpark. Thanks to everyone who volunteered.
Juneteenth Homecoming Celebration
Several hundred people turned out Saturday, June 20, for the NAACP Linn Benton Branch's annual Juneteenth Homecoming Celebration, held this year at Corvallis Community Center. The five-hour event, free to the public, featured games and activities, live music and dancing, dinner and a keynote speech by Dr. Dana Emerson, associate superintendent of the College of Marin in Kentfield, Calif. Juneteenth (officially Juneteenth National Independence Day) is an annual federal holiday observed on June 19 to commemorate the end of slavery in the United States. It marks the day in 1865 when Union troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, to declare all enslaved people free, two-and-a-half years after the Emancipation Proclamation.
 Albany City Councilor Ramycia McGhee emceed the event and gave the blessing before dinner. Next to her is Ehoenix, who is with Women in NAACP (WIN). |  NAACP Linn Benton Branch President John Phillips IV of Albany addressed the crowd before dinner.  |
Flag Day observed with 'No Kings'
anniversary protests in Lebanon and Albany
Sunday, June 14 — Flag Day — was observed with protest rallies on a hot afternoon in Albany and Lebanon. Those rallies and events around the country marked the anniversary of the first "No Kings" protests a year ago. They also coincided with Donald Trump's 80th birthday and the UFC fights scheduled for that night on the White House grounds. In Lebanon, nearly 100 people gathered along Main Street at Academy Square. East Linn Indivisible organized the Lebanon event, encouraging participants to bring flags, and they did. "Let's take that symbol back," the group stated in an email message, "as an emblem of liberty, equality, and community instead of war, greed, and injustice." About 25 people turned out for the two-hour protest in Albany, along the shady stretch of Ellsworth Street between Fourth and Fifth avenues. Mid-Willamette Valley for the People, which coordinated the event, issued this statement before the rally: "We are gathering to stand together, make some noise, and remind everyone that the next 250 years of this country belong to the people."
Lebanon Strawberry Festival Grand Parade
Our Linn County Democrats' contingent in the Lebanon Strawberry Festival Grand Parade on June 4.
 Democratic candidates Ivan Maluski (HD11), Joanna Robinson (HD15) and Sierrah Williams (SD6).  Linn County Democrats Paula Connaghan and Terry Virnig. |  Thanks to Paula Connaghan for the use of her Ford F350 and the trailer for the float and thanks to Dan Thackaberry for driving.  Linn County Democrats Nichole Case and Ben Watts, the local party chair. |
 Democratic candidate Sierrah Williams (SD6) hands out candy on Main Street.
VIDEOS: From left above, HD 15 candidate Joanna Robinson talks with SD6 candidate Sierrah Williams and HD 11 candidate Ivan Maluski |  Democratic candidates Joanna Robinson (HD15) and Ivan Maluski (HD11). VIDEOS: From left, Linn County Democrats' parade entry; Linn Dems dancewith Lebanon's Hocus Pokie Dancers to "Sugar Shack" before the parade; the Usual Suspects, who performed on our float, sing "This Land is Your Land" and "Ashokan Farewell," by Jay Ungar, which was the theme song for Ken Burns' PBS documentary series "The Civil War." Strong wind gusts forced the band to cut the piece short. Other members of the Usual Suspects are Bill Geibel, banjo; Louanne Fugal, string bass; Guy Chilton, guitar, and John Donoghue, mandolin. |
Neighborhood Leaders meet June 2
to review Primary Election, look ahead
Please join us at 6:30 Tuesday, June 2, on Zoom to see the impact of our Primary election outreach work, and also to share some thoughts about what's next. (To receive Zoom access, contact Nancy Greenman.)
We'll review how many voters we've contacted and compare our Neighborhood Leader results with voting overall, including neighbors we spoke with directly.
Looking ahead, we'll review the calendar from now through November 3. We'll spend a few minutes on the importance of the Governor's race, then we'll consider ways in which we can help inoculate our communities against election doubt and denial between now and the Nov 3 General Election.
That's it, other than how grateful we are to you all and that we're looking forward to seeing you at Tuesday's zoom.
— Susan, Carrie, Steve, Carol, Brenda, Linda, Mark and Nancy
Linn Benton Democrats Neighborhood Leader Team
We'll review how many voters we've contacted and compare our Neighborhood Leader results with voting overall, including neighbors we spoke with directly.
Looking ahead, we'll review the calendar from now through November 3. We'll spend a few minutes on the importance of the Governor's race, then we'll consider ways in which we can help inoculate our communities against election doubt and denial between now and the Nov 3 General Election.
That's it, other than how grateful we are to you all and that we're looking forward to seeing you at Tuesday's zoom.
— Susan, Carrie, Steve, Carol, Brenda, Linda, Mark and Nancy
Linn Benton Democrats Neighborhood Leader Team
Linn Dems Executive Committee sends letter
to Council urging deactivation Flock cameras
The Linn County Democrats Executive Committee recently approved and sent a letter to the Albany City Council expressing concerns about the use of Flock cameras (Automated License Plate Readers, or ALPRs), citing risks related to privacy, potential mass surveillance, and data misuse despite current safeguards. While acknowledging the transparency and efforts of local law enforcement, the committee urged the Council to keep ALPRs deactivated, arguing that the risks to civil liberties outweigh the benefits. At the May 27, 2026 meeting, the Albany City Council voted 4–2 not to renew the Flock camera contract.
Here is the letter the Executive Committee sent to the City Council:
"Dear Albany City Council Members,
"We are writing to present our concerns regarding the use of Flock cameras, or Automated License Plate Readers (ALPRs) in Albany. Our members, many of whom are also Albany residents, are apprehensive around the use of ALPRs. In particular, the potential mass surveillance infrastructure, intrusion of personal privacy, and the potential for unwarranted violence pose substantial risks. All of which the Fourth and Fourteenth Amendments of the United States Constitution should protect us from.
"We also share some of the concerns with members of the public regarding the misuse of data in other parts of Oregon, specifically around the recent violation of Sanctuary Laws via data use to the Federal Government and U.S Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) done by Oregon State Police. This is troubling considering the current Trump administration’s disregard for civil liberties and efforts to crack down on immigration and reproductive rights. These efforts are powered by sophisticated surveillance technologies. Public records show these agencies have accessed Albany’s ALPR records multiple times in spite of Oregon Sanctuary Law. Additionally, there have been instances where ALPR technology has been used to stalk ex-partners and romantic interests.
"We appreciate APD's efforts to safeguard its community members and abide by state and local laws. We are grateful for their transparency and efforts to inform the public. Chief Harnden has demonstrated integrity by putting considerable effort into informing the public and allowing space for public discourse. However, we recognize that over time changes can happen among state government, state and local laws, and even police department staff. While our local law enforcement is currently trustworthy, current authentication processes and investigation procedures don’t fully prevent the misuse of community members’ data in the future. We feel that the current process is limited in its ability to have proper checks and balances by a third party. Once the data is accessible and used outside of the APD, there is less control on how it can be kept safe, especially in jurisdictions that do not have the same level of data protection policies.
"The benefits of using ALPRs have been presented with sincerity in keeping crime rates low and being a tool used to resolve high profile crimes in the state. However, we feel that the risks to the public’s safety and civil liberties outweigh the benefits. We ask that the Albany City Council take steps that other jurisdictions in Oregon have made– including Lane County, Woodburn, Bend, and Springfield– and continue to keep the ALPRs in Albany deactivated now and in the future.
"Respectfully,
"Executive Members of the Linn County Democrats"
Here is the letter the Executive Committee sent to the City Council:
"Dear Albany City Council Members,
"We are writing to present our concerns regarding the use of Flock cameras, or Automated License Plate Readers (ALPRs) in Albany. Our members, many of whom are also Albany residents, are apprehensive around the use of ALPRs. In particular, the potential mass surveillance infrastructure, intrusion of personal privacy, and the potential for unwarranted violence pose substantial risks. All of which the Fourth and Fourteenth Amendments of the United States Constitution should protect us from.
"We also share some of the concerns with members of the public regarding the misuse of data in other parts of Oregon, specifically around the recent violation of Sanctuary Laws via data use to the Federal Government and U.S Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) done by Oregon State Police. This is troubling considering the current Trump administration’s disregard for civil liberties and efforts to crack down on immigration and reproductive rights. These efforts are powered by sophisticated surveillance technologies. Public records show these agencies have accessed Albany’s ALPR records multiple times in spite of Oregon Sanctuary Law. Additionally, there have been instances where ALPR technology has been used to stalk ex-partners and romantic interests.
"We appreciate APD's efforts to safeguard its community members and abide by state and local laws. We are grateful for their transparency and efforts to inform the public. Chief Harnden has demonstrated integrity by putting considerable effort into informing the public and allowing space for public discourse. However, we recognize that over time changes can happen among state government, state and local laws, and even police department staff. While our local law enforcement is currently trustworthy, current authentication processes and investigation procedures don’t fully prevent the misuse of community members’ data in the future. We feel that the current process is limited in its ability to have proper checks and balances by a third party. Once the data is accessible and used outside of the APD, there is less control on how it can be kept safe, especially in jurisdictions that do not have the same level of data protection policies.
"The benefits of using ALPRs have been presented with sincerity in keeping crime rates low and being a tool used to resolve high profile crimes in the state. However, we feel that the risks to the public’s safety and civil liberties outweigh the benefits. We ask that the Albany City Council take steps that other jurisdictions in Oregon have made– including Lane County, Woodburn, Bend, and Springfield– and continue to keep the ALPRs in Albany deactivated now and in the future.
"Respectfully,
"Executive Members of the Linn County Democrats"
The platform delegates gathered for a photo at the end of the May 23 convention.
Linn Democrats approve 2026 county platform
| The Linn County Democratic Central Committee unanimously approved the organization's 2026 County Platform and Legislative Action Items during its monthly general meeting on June 4 at Albany Public Library Sixteen delegates, all Linn County Democrats, spent four hours May 23 at Albany Public Library reviewing, editing and approving planks and legislative action items for the proposed county platform. Thanks to the delegates for shaping a platform that reflects the local party's values and to and to those who helped organize the event, including Brenda Sterner, who provided the food and beverages that kept everyone going; Greg Ivers, Linn Dems Platform Committee chair; and Genny Lynch, the convention coordinator. To view the platform and legislative action items, click the link below.  Joanna Robinson, left, Democratic candidate for Oregon House District 15, and Suzanne Stewart review planks and legislative action items for "Housing and Land Use."  Discussing planks and legislative action items on "Democracy" are, from left, Michelle Gordon, Edie Koenig, Carolyn McLeod and Mark Leonard. |  Each convention delegate got to put 30 dots on the legislative action items they preferred.  Genny Lynch coordinated the Platform Convention. |
With Primary in the books, candidates
set sights on Nov. 3 General Election
Incumbent Democratic Gov. Tina Kotek glided to victory in the Primary Election that ended Tuesday evening. With 10 candidates in the race, Kotek garnered 84 percent of the vote. She will face a rematch in the Nov. 3 General Election with Republican State Sen. Christine Drazan, who defeated State Rep. Ed Diehl and former Trail Blazer Chris Dudley in Tuesday's Primary.
Kotek defeated Drazan in 2022.
Turnout was at 32 percent statewide, and nearly 39 percent in Linn County, as of Wednesday morning, May 20.
As expected, Measure 120, was resoundingly rejected by voters. The measure, which would have increased fuel taxes, registration and title fees for roads and tax on wages for public transportation services, was losing by more than 620,000 votes — 83 percent No to just under 17 percent Yes — as of Wednesday morning.
Kotek defeated Drazan in 2022.
Turnout was at 32 percent statewide, and nearly 39 percent in Linn County, as of Wednesday morning, May 20.
As expected, Measure 120, was resoundingly rejected by voters. The measure, which would have increased fuel taxes, registration and title fees for roads and tax on wages for public transportation services, was losing by more than 620,000 votes — 83 percent No to just under 17 percent Yes — as of Wednesday morning.
Primary winners
(Democrats listed in bold blue with their Republican opponents in the Nov. 3 General Election listed in parentheses. This does not include nonaffiliated and minor party candidates who can file for election from June 3 through Aug. 25.)
U.S. Senator — Jeff Merkley
(vs. David Brock Smith in the Nov. 3 Election.)
U.S. Representative, 4th District — Val Hoyle
(vs. Monique DeSpain in the Nov. 3 Election)
U.S. Representative, 5th District, Janelle Bynum
(vs. Patti Adair in the Nov. 3 Election)
Governor — Tina Kotek
(vs. Christine Drazan in the Nov. 3 election)
State Senator, 6th District — Sierrah Williams
(vs. Jack Tibbetts in the Nov. 3 Election.)
State Senator, 8th District — Sara Gelser Blouin
(vs. Valerie Draper Woldeit in the Nov. 3 Election)
State Representative, 11th District — Ivan Maluski
(vs. Ken Jackola in the Nov. 3 Election)
State Representative, 15th District — Joanna Robinson
(vs. Shelly Boshart Davis in the Nov. 3 Election)
State Representative 17th District — David Nelson
(vs. Dan Farrington in the Nov. 3 Election)
Linn County Commissioner, Position 1 — Theodore "TJ" Hiner
(vs. Will Tucker in the Nov. 3 Election)
Non-partisan winners
State candidates
Commissioner of the Bureau
of Labor and Industries
Christina E. Stephenson
Judge of the Supreme Court, Position 4
Christopher L. Garrett
Judge of the Court of Appeals, Position 1
Ryan T. O'Connor
Judge of the Court of Appeals, Position 9
Jacqueline Kamins
Judge of the Court of Appeals, Position 12
Erin C. Lageson
Judge of the Court of Appeals, Position 13
Doug Token
Judge of the Circuit Court, 23rd District, Linn County, Position 4
Brendan J. Kane
County candidates
Justice of the Peace, 4A
Jessica K. Meyer
Ballot measures
Statewide
• Measure 120 — Increases fuel taxes, registration/title fees for roads, tax on wages for public transportation services.
DEFEATED
• Measure 22-213: Harrisburg Fire and Rescue District — Local Option Levy for Operations.
PASSED
• Measure 24-521: Stayton Fire District— Local Option Levy for Fire and Emergency Medical Services
PASSED
• Measure 22-214: Sweet Home School District — Bonds for School Safety, Classrooms,Career Training and State Grants.
PASSED
• Measure 22-215: City of Sweet Home — Amendments to Home Rule City Charter of Sweet Home
PASSED
(Democrats listed in bold blue with their Republican opponents in the Nov. 3 General Election listed in parentheses. This does not include nonaffiliated and minor party candidates who can file for election from June 3 through Aug. 25.)
U.S. Senator — Jeff Merkley
(vs. David Brock Smith in the Nov. 3 Election.)
U.S. Representative, 4th District — Val Hoyle
(vs. Monique DeSpain in the Nov. 3 Election)
U.S. Representative, 5th District, Janelle Bynum
(vs. Patti Adair in the Nov. 3 Election)
Governor — Tina Kotek
(vs. Christine Drazan in the Nov. 3 election)
State Senator, 6th District — Sierrah Williams
(vs. Jack Tibbetts in the Nov. 3 Election.)
State Senator, 8th District — Sara Gelser Blouin
(vs. Valerie Draper Woldeit in the Nov. 3 Election)
State Representative, 11th District — Ivan Maluski
(vs. Ken Jackola in the Nov. 3 Election)
State Representative, 15th District — Joanna Robinson
(vs. Shelly Boshart Davis in the Nov. 3 Election)
State Representative 17th District — David Nelson
(vs. Dan Farrington in the Nov. 3 Election)
Linn County Commissioner, Position 1 — Theodore "TJ" Hiner
(vs. Will Tucker in the Nov. 3 Election)
Non-partisan winners
State candidates
Commissioner of the Bureau
of Labor and Industries
Christina E. Stephenson
Judge of the Supreme Court, Position 4
Christopher L. Garrett
Judge of the Court of Appeals, Position 1
Ryan T. O'Connor
Judge of the Court of Appeals, Position 9
Jacqueline Kamins
Judge of the Court of Appeals, Position 12
Erin C. Lageson
Judge of the Court of Appeals, Position 13
Doug Token
Judge of the Circuit Court, 23rd District, Linn County, Position 4
Brendan J. Kane
County candidates
Justice of the Peace, 4A
Jessica K. Meyer
Ballot measures
Statewide
• Measure 120 — Increases fuel taxes, registration/title fees for roads, tax on wages for public transportation services.
DEFEATED
• Measure 22-213: Harrisburg Fire and Rescue District — Local Option Levy for Operations.
PASSED
• Measure 24-521: Stayton Fire District— Local Option Levy for Fire and Emergency Medical Services
PASSED
• Measure 22-214: Sweet Home School District — Bonds for School Safety, Classrooms,Career Training and State Grants.
PASSED
• Measure 22-215: City of Sweet Home — Amendments to Home Rule City Charter of Sweet Home
PASSED
'This Land is Your Land'
East Linn Indivisible had a contingent of 15 members and friends, including some Linn County Dems, that walked in the Linn County Lamb and Wool Fair Parade on May 16 in Scio. They sang and played kazoos to "This Land is Your Land." "America the Beautiful" and "It's a Grand Old Flag."
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