State Politics

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
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
Rep. Dwayne Yunker – Principles Over Payouts
Election / Local News / State Politics

Rep. Dwayne Yunker – Principles Over Payouts

A System Rigged for the MajorityIn the Oregon Legislature, major funding decisions are dominated by a single party and entrenched leadership. For a principled Republican in the minority, "bringing money home" frequently comes with a hidden price tag. Freshman legislatures must wait in line as the senior legislatures and majority party take front row seats to any earmarks. Securing a local payout typically requires a "yes" vote on massive spending packages, statewide tax increases, or…

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April 8, 2026
In Oregon: Do political parties endorse candidates for the primary and for non-partisan elections?
City Politics / County Politics / Election / Local News / Local Politics / State Politics

In Oregon: Do political parties endorse candidates for the primary and for non-partisan elections?

You will often see it happen at the local or county level, and the rules vary significantly depending on which party and which county you're looking at.1. State vs. Local "Neutrality"Generally, the Democratic Party of Oregon (DPO) and the Oregon Republican Party (ORP) maintain a policy of neutrality during the primaries. Their goal is to let the voters decide who the strongest nominee is. They typically save their resources and official "seal of approval" for…

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March 18, 2026
The Reality: Why Freshmen Rarely “Bring Home the Bacon”
City Politics / County Politics / Election / Local News / Local Politics / State Politics

The Reality: Why Freshmen Rarely “Bring Home the Bacon”

The reality of funding in a legislator’s first (freshman) year is simple. If someone tells you they can bring a bunch of money back to the district in their first year, they are most likely not telling you the truth.If you don’t understand how funding actually works for freshman legislators especially those in the minority party here are a few facts you should try to understand. In the world of Oregon politics, it is actually…

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March 10, 2026
Governing With the Community, Not Around It
City Politics / County Politics / Local News / Local Politics / State Politics

Governing With the Community, Not Around It

Election season is underway, hopefully this is useful for those in office and those running for office. What are the key elements of any governing body? In my mind, it comes down to transparency and accountability. When both are present, they create a bidirectional trust factor, which is essential to the success of any government or business.With full transparency and accountability, leaders can earn trust and, in turn, be trusted by the very people they…

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March 5, 2026
Public Safety Warning: Oregon Sanctuary Laws Allow Violent Felons to Walk Free
Local News / State Politics

Public Safety Warning: Oregon Sanctuary Laws Allow Violent Felons to Walk Free

Introduction:After what occurred at the State of the Union, it’s more important than ever that this story be told. The debate over Oregon’s sanctuary status intensified as Senate Democrats recently rejected a proposal aimed at modifying House Bill 3265. Originally passed in 2021, HB 3265 significantly tightened Oregon’s sanctuary laws by prohibiting state agencies from assisting federal immigration authorities. The new Republican-led measure sought to restore communication between state and federal officials specifically regarding the…

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February 25, 2026
Family Staffers Are Legal. A Shadow First Spouse Office Isn’t – Cronyism
County Politics / Local News / State Politics

Family Staffers Are Legal. A Shadow First Spouse Office Isn’t – Cronyism

Oregon’s ethics laws are clear, but they are not identical for every branch of government. While some critics point to "double standards" regarding family members in the Capitol, the reality is a matter of established law versus executive overreach. I wonder how many people know that state representatives and senators are within legal rights to have family members working for them, the Governor is not afforded the same legal rights. The Legislative Standard (ORS 244.177)Oregon…

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February 21, 2026
Support SB 1514 to Repeal HB 3115 – Homeless Camping Issue
Homeless / Local News / State Politics

Support SB 1514 to Repeal HB 3115 – Homeless Camping Issue

SB 1514 – Repeal HB 3115 Homeless where “objectively reasonable” has become a serious issue for Oregon Cities. Read about SB 1514; https://olis.oregonlegislature.gov/liz/2026R1/Measures/Overview/SB1514 Give testimony for supporting SB 1514: https://olis.oregonlegislature.gov/liz/2026R1/Testimony/SCGG/SB/1514/0000-00-00-00-00?area=Measures Example of Testimony:I am writing to express my strong support for SB 1514, which seeks to repeal the provisions established under HB 3115. While the original intent of HB 3115 may have been to provide clarity regarding public spaces, its implementation has created a rigid…

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February 13, 2026