Election

Procedural Timeline: John West v. Jay Meredith (Case No. 25CV43500)
County Politics / Election / Lawsuit / Local News / Local Politics / Recall

Procedural Timeline: John West v. Jay Meredith (Case No. 25CV43500)

Former Josephine County Commissioner John West filed a $2 million defamation lawsuit against Jay Meredith. The suit targeted a "recall dossier" and various news articles published during and after West’s December 2024 recall election. While the lawsuit survived initial challenges, it was ultimately dismissed on a strict statutory timeline technicality rather than the actual truth of the statements. The Three Court Hearings February 25, 2026 – Anti-SLAPP Motion Denied: Judge Galli denied the defendant's Anti-SLAPP…

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June 23, 2026
Legal Updates: John West Litigation
County Politics / Election / Lawsuit / Local News / Recall

Legal Updates: John West Litigation

John West v. J.J. Scofield May 29, 2026: Following a two-hour hearing, Judge Galli denied J.J. Scofield’s anti-SLAPP motion (a motion intended to dismiss lawsuits that chill free speech). This lawsuit centers around statements J.J. Scofield made in Facebook regarding alleged “illegal meetings” by John West. John West v. Jay Meredith February 25, 2026: In the initial hearing, Judge Galli denied Jay Meredith’s anti-SLAPP motion, a ruling confirmed by the Daily Courier. Judge Galli also…

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May 30, 2026
State Statute Violations & Former Democratic Chair New Voice For BCC
County Politics / Election / Local News / Local Politics

State Statute Violations & Former Democratic Chair New Voice For BCC

Last month, the Board of County Commissioners (BCC) terminated all three budget committee members, allegedly because "they all thought the same." While the board needed to stagger terms, they could have simply let current terms expire in November or asked for volunteers to accept one, two, or three-year seats. Instead, by dissolving the committee entirely, the BCC violated ORS 294.414, ignoring established state statutes. The board claims to want "diverse thinking," which explains their appointment…

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May 8, 2026
The Liberal Long Game: How We Lose Our County
City Politics / County Politics / Election / Local News / Local Politics

The Liberal Long Game: How We Lose Our County

This is a long four part series I posted on Facebook recently. I wasn't sure if it was something I wanted to share here or not - till today. I think it's a very useful series for those interested and for referring back to from time to time. Part I: The Liberal Long Game: How We Lose Our County I have become deeply disgusted and concerned. One of the Facebook groups among our local Josephine…

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May 3, 2026
The Republican Choice: Evaluating Colene Martin’s Record
County Politics / Election / Local News

The Republican Choice: Evaluating Colene Martin’s Record

In 2024, Colene Martin campaigned for a County Commissioner seat and lost. Notably, the Republican Party did not endorse her, despite her registration as a Republican. Instead, the Democratic Party chose to support her candidacy. For many conservatives, this cross-party support was a significant red flag regarding her political alignment. In my view, Martin faced a defining moment: she could have stood firm on traditional Republican principles and rejected the opposition's support, or she could…

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May 3, 2026
Regarding Seth Benham, Candidate for State Representative, District 3
Election / Local News / State Politics

Regarding Seth Benham, Candidate for State Representative, District 3

I have two serious concerns regarding Seth Benham, who is running for House Representative in District 3 to unseat Rep Dwayne Yunker. To me, these are vital issues regarding integrity, transparency and ethics that every voter should consider. 1. Conflicts of Interest The first issue involves concerns already raised by others within various Facebook groups. It has been pointed out that Mr. Benham has faced questions regarding potential conflicts of interest and proper recusals. This…

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May 2, 2026
Local Election Interviews and Resource Guide For May 2026
County Politics / Election / Local News

Local Election Interviews and Resource Guide For May 2026

This resource guide is to help inform voters. The interviews were conducted by Mike Jones; you can find more of his work at his website, Mike on Mic. This guide features interviews with several key political figures running for office, including: John West: Candidate for Commissioner, Position 1 Chad Hansen: Candidate for Commissioner, Position 2 Indra Nicholas: Candidate for Commissioner, Position 2 Simon Hare: Candidate for County Treasurer Rep. Dwayne Yunker: Seeking re-election for House…

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April 21, 2026
Details on Secured State Funding for Josephine County
City Politics / County Politics / Election / Local News / State Politics

Details on Secured State Funding for Josephine County

This details the process behind Representative Dwayne Yunker collaborative process that led to securing $3.5 million for critical local infrastructure and economic drivers. Project Initiation: The effort began in December 2025 when Representative Yunker and Senator Robinson met with the Mayor of Grants Pass and city staff to identify high-priority projects and establish a legislative roadmap. Building a Coalition: Advocacy was expanded to include the Grants Pass Chamber of Commerce and other local stakeholders to…

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April 15, 2026
John West – Putting Josephine County First
County Politics / Election / Local News

John West – Putting Josephine County First

IntroductionCommissioner John West represents a steady, principled voice for Josephine County residents who expect their local government to work for them not outside interests or political agendas. With a focus on fiscal responsibility, public safety, and local control, West approaches county leadership with common sense, transparency, and respect for the people who live and work here. His priorities reflect the values of a rural county that believes in accountability, property rights, and community safety. Proven…

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April 15, 2026
Simon Hare: Budget Officer Statement On Contract Dispute
County Politics / Election / Local News

Simon Hare: Budget Officer Statement On Contract Dispute

In his statement from the April 1, 2026, Board of County Commissioners (BCC) meeting, former Budget Officer Simon Hare addressed the controversy surrounding his contract and resignation. Key Points of the Statement:Professional Background: Hare emphasized his eight years of experience as a former County Commissioner, noting he successfully managed the county through significant fiscal crises and was recruited by the previous board specifically for his expertise. The Reason for Resignation: Hare stated he was "forced…

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April 13, 2026