SOME Thoughts about Where We've
Been and Where We're Going!

By Val Hoyle, DPLC Chair

We won! And not just by a little bit. We won by A LOT. Everywhere. Here in Lane County, Governor Kulongoski beat Ron Saxton by almost 30,000 votes, or 22%! Peter Defazio added a percentage point and a half to his margin of victory from 2004, Vicki Walker was re-elected over her well financed and well known challenger, Chris Edwards knocked off a well positioned incumbent with high name recognition and lots of big-time campaign contributors, Arnie Roblan handed his opponent a resounding loss, Jean Cowan won her race by more than she lost by in 2004, we held all of our other seats, Democrats took control of Congress, and DEMOCRATS TOOK BACK THE OREGON HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES!

With Speaker Minnis replaced by Speaker Merkley, we can look forward to a Legislature that prioritizes public education, tackles the health care crisis head on, invests in alternative energy, cultivates family wage jobs, and brings back ethical and responsive government to the Legislature.

This didn’t happen by accident. This happened because we all worked for the last 2 years, building infrastructure, knocking on doors, recruiting volunteers, and spreading our message. This happened because over 200 volunteers joined our coordinated campaign this fall to make almost 40,000 phone calls, knock on thousands of doors, and deliver thousands of lawn signs. We also picked up nearly 100 ballots from Democrats who couldn’t have voted otherwise. Hundreds more joined with the local campaigns to make sure everyone heard about our great candidates, and got their ballots turned in.

Sincerely,
Val Hoyle, Chair
Democratic Party of Lane County