A Moment of Consequence for Oregon

By Kathy D.

Welcome, Dear readers.

There are many things about the national political picture that are dangerous and alarming. I have written about them in prior posts, and they remain of urgent concern. However, today I must shift our focus to something much closer to home.

Oregon is considered a solidly blue state, but right now a MAGA-sympathetic candidate is in the lead to become our next governor. It may seem unlikely or unthinkable, but with fewer than 46 days left before Election Day, the race is considered a toss-up. Why does this matter? Simply put, governors have a big platform that can be used to defend their states against Republican efforts to steal our votes and our money, take away our rights, assault our immigrant neighbors, and destroy democracy itself. They can also choose to abandon their distressed citizens and align themselves with the daily anti-democratic and corrupt antics of the current regime.

There is evidence that the Oregon Republican governor candidate would do the latter. She has invited Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who has amplified the cruel MAGA agenda in his own state, to campaign with her here in Oregon.

Fellow Oregonians, I ask: Is his vision for Florida one we want emulated by our governor?

We are called right now to remember that being a citizen brings with it the highest form of patriotic responsibility: to really consider the ramifications of our vote. In this moment of great suffering and peril in our state and our nation, we must be clear-eyed about our power, well informed about the candidates and issues before us, and ready to look past our political divisions to vote, not for grievance or to make a statement, but for a higher purpose. We must elect leaders who understand they work for all of us, who will fight for us against those who care nothing about our struggles or our needs, and who believe in working to fulfill the promises of democracy.

Good neighbors, ballots in Oregon will be sent out on October 14. It is our right to choose our futures, and it is the most consequential right we have. I wish us all wise minds and big hearts as we cast our votes up and down the ballot.