Welcome Benton Democrats!We want to know what matters to you!
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We have a lot of work ahead of us this year!
This upcoming Thursday (May 19th) we have Central Committee meeting and our “Come Together” party, where we will unite and get ready to win big in this year’s Midterm cycle. We encourage folks to bring a pal to our Zoom, as it’s gonna take all of us to keep our democracy strong and our communities Blue! Register here – socialize with fellow Dems at 6:30, then our meeting begins at 7pm with the Come Together party immediately after!
Meet the Candidates!
Congressional District 4 Candidates
Oregon’s long-time congressional district four representative, Peter DeFazio, is retiring from Congress. At our February 17 meeting we were joined by five candidates in the Democratic primary (May 17th!) for the newly-redrawn congressional district. Hear what they had to say:
Val Hoyle:
https://valhoyle.com/
Andrew Kalloch:
https://andrewkalloch.com/
Doyle Canning:
https://www.canningforcongress.com/
John Selker:
https://selker4congress.org/
Sami Al-Abdrabbuh:
https://samiforcongress.com/
Meet the Candidates!
Benton County Commissioner
On the May 17 primary ballot we’ll be selecting our Democratic nominee for one of three at-large Benton County Commissioners. At our January 20 meeting we heard from both candidates: incumbent Pat Malone and Helen Higgins. Hear what they had to say:
Helen Higgins (https://www.helen4bentoncounty.com)
Pat Malone (https://www.votepatmalone.org)
Congratulations to Speaker Rayfield!
On Tuesday, Feb 1, 2022, Benton County’s Rep. Dan Rayfield began his tenure as Speaker of the Oregon House as the 2022 legislative session opened. Rep. Rayfield has represented the Corvallis area (HD-16) since 2014. This OPB article is a good read for more about his background and accomplishments – and watch his very personal opening speech: “I am living proof that the worst moments of our lives don’t have to be our destiny. I believe you are not defined by your failures, but instead how you move forward.“
The BC Dems’ Holiday Good Cheer Gala
Highlights of the December 4 program included an inspiring poetry reading by Zina Allen (Oregon’s Amanda Moore), a rock star singing telegram performance by the renowned Jeff Silverman, and festive auction items. More information over at our Holiday Gala page.
‘Tis the season to restore positive energies and bonds as prelude to mobilizing yet another record-breaking voter turn-out to keep Oregon True Blue in 2022.
On Tuesday, November 2, voters approved all the measures before Benton County voters. Congratulations to Tracey Lee, elected to represent Ward 8 on the Corvallis City Council!
BC Dems Resolution on the “Build Back Better Act” and Rep Kurt Schrader
ADOPTED by the Benton County Democratic Central Committee on October, 29th, 2021
WHEREAS, the 2020 platform of the Democratic National Committee states that “We will not rest until
every American can access quality health care and affordable prescription drugs,” that “We will tackle
entrenched racial disparities in health care, reduce prescription drub prices by standing up to big
pharmaceutical companies,” and more particularly that “Democrats will take aggressive action to ensure
that Americans do not pay more for prescription drugs than people in other advanced economies, and
ensure that all necessary medication are covered. We will empower Medicare to at last be able to
negotiate prescription drug prices for all public and private purchases – for families and businesses, as
well as older Americans—no matter where they get their coverage”; and
WHEREAS, the platform of the Democratic Party of Oregon and the platform of the Democratic Party of
Benton County Oregon both “support authorizing state and federal governments to negotiate drug prices
with transparency”; and
WHEREAS, in House Energy and Commerce committee proceedings, Rep. Kurt Schrader voted against
keeping a provision in HB 5376 the “Build Back Better Act” which would have allowed Medicare to
negotiate prescription drug prices, voting with every single Republican on the committee and against the
wishes of 29 of the 32 Democrats on the committee; and
WHEREAS, polling finds that nearly all Americans support Medicare negotiating prescription drug prices (86%). Support is even higher in Rep. Kurt Schrader’s district – at 91%.
WHEREAS, Rep. Kurt Schrader was elected with votes from Benton County, Oregon.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY OF BENTON COUNTY OREGON RESOLVES
AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1: We urge Rep. Kurt Schrader to act upon wishes of an overwhelming majority of his
constituents and with the values of the Democratic Party and support empowering Medicare to negotiate
prescription drug prices for all public and private purchasers.
Section 2: We call upon Rep. Kurt Schrader, and all the Oregon Congressional Delegation, to support the
reconciliation bill HB 5376 the “Build Back Better Act” with a yes vote, and
Section 3 We call upon Rep. Kurt Schrader, and all the Oregon Congressional Delegation, to reject
amendments which would weaken HB 5376 the “Build Back Better Act” programs and funding, and
Section 4. We caution Rep. Kurt Schrader that a failure to support the principles of the Democratic Party
of Oregon, the principles of the Democratic Party of Benton County, Oregon, and the overwhelming will
of the voters, will result in our withdrawal of support.
Section 5. We will communicate this resolution, in writing, to the offices of Oregon’s Congressional
Delegation, Oregon members of the Democratic National Committee, and via a press release to the
Oregon media.
How do I make my voice heard?
If you have been asking yourself these questions, here is where you can turn your passion into action: join a BCDems committee team! Join dedicated folks in training events, organizing, and taking actions on issues and elections upcoming in 2019 and 2020. Together we will ensure the Blue Wave of the midterm elections continues!
Monthly Meetings
All are welcome to attend our monthly meetings held the third Thursday of each month except August and December. We have social time at 6:30pm; the meeting starts at 7:00pm and wraps up at 8:30pm.
Due to the pandemic we’re meeting via Zoom. The best way to receive meeting invitations is to sign up for our newsletter Hotlines via the subscription box on this page.
When we can again meet together, we’ll be at Grace Lutheran Church in Corvallis. The church is at 435 NW 21st Street and abuts the intersection of Kings and Harrison. You’ll find us in Ronnenkamp Hall, upstairs through the entry near the church’s NE corner or via the handicap-accessible north entry.
Do you have an event, an issue or anything else you’d like
the Benton County Democrats should be aware of?
Send us your announcement and we’ll help spread the word at the next general meeting of the Democrats.
Click here to send us your announcement.
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Our True Blue Society is the backbone of our organization. They
allow the Benton County Democrats to support candidates and causes.
Please become a member today, your support is needed now more than ever.
