NOVEMBER 2022 ELECTION RECOMMENDATIONS

This election has important races for national and state offices. We need to elect our Democratic candidate for governor in a tight race where every vote will matter. We also need to hold the House and Senate at the national level to keep the progressive agenda going that has helped so may Americans. A Republican takeover can bring it all to a halt, so we need everyone to get involved and vote.

U.S. Senate

Ron Wyden has been a great voice for Oregon and America. As soon as he first got elected, he started frequent town halls across the state, making sure he heard from all of his constituents. He has consistently received more votes in Eastern Oregon than any other Democrat, which shows how widespread his support is and how much even more conservative people feel represented. Let us make sure he can continue the great work he is doing for all of Oregon. Visit him at standtallforamerica.com.

U.S. House

Our current Republican congressman, Cliff Bentz, has shown himself to be someone who will bow to the MAGA mob. He voted against certifying the 2020 election of Joe Biden. He voted against expansion of health care benefits to veterans, and much needed financial aid to farmers in the Klamath Basin suffering from drought-related income loss. We need someone who understands the needs of the people of CD 2, and that person is Joe Yetter. He has been an Army colonel and doctor and now works as a small farmer. He understands the needs of veterans and farmers as well as the need to create a proper universal healthcare system. He will be a voice for the common person and will speak the truth that needs to be heard rather than what is politically expedient. Find out more at joefororegon.com.

Oregon Governor

Tina Kotek will be the kind of Governor who will be results-oriented. Her many years as House Speaker have given the skills necessary for her to be that kind of Governor. She was not afraid to criticize the current administration for its failures during Covid. She knows how to work with a variety of stake-holders in forming policy and make sure it delivers to the citizens of this state. Find out more about her at tinafororegon.com

Labor Commissioner

Christina Stephenson is the perfect person for Labor Commissioner. She has a long background as an attorney that has advocated for civil and workers rights, both in our court system and at the legislative level. She will make sure that the needs of Oregon workers will be met and their rights protected. Every previous Labor Commissioner has endorsed her because they know she will do the job right. Find out more about her at christinastephenson.com

County Commissioner Position 3

Dan Garrick is too extreme to represent all of Baker county. So, considering the alternative, we are recommending voting for the more moderate candidate, Shane Alderson.

BALLOT MEASURES

Measure 111

This measure codifies in the Oregon constitution the right to necessary healthcare for all. We can not view healthcare as an option that people can live without, because they literally can not. We need to produce a healthcare system that serves everyone’s needs in a comprehensive and efficient way that results in the best outcome at the least cost. This measure will ensure we are put on that path. Baker County Democrats support this measure.

Measure 112

This measure involves a long-awaited change to the criminal justice code that ends the practice of using inmates as slave labor as a form of punishment. Inmates should be treated as any other workers. It also allows for punishment that does not involve incarceration, as there are small offenses that are best handled in tightly controlled way outside of a prison system that can make such people less able to deal with those issues that lead them to commit their crimes. Baker County Democrats support this measure.

Measure 113

This measure deals with the problem of legislators holding up legislation by simply not showing up to vote. Our elected officials are there to put together legislation to solve the issues of our state and then vote on that legislation in a fair manner. They should not have the right to veto legislation by simply running away. This measure is not the draconian thing many make it out to be. Any excused absence is not counted against a legislator, and they are allowed a good number of unexcused absences before they are deemed no longer able to hold office. This is designed to end the most egregious examples of bad behavior. A legislator can still opt out of voting but will have to be careful to pick the right place and time to do so. Baker County Democrats support this measure.

Measure 114

This measure aims to help restrict access to guns to those who should not have them because of reckless and criminal behavior, as well as limit the size of magazines that make gun violence incidents even more deadly. Having a permit process is helpful, and if done right can lead to a efficient system that leads to quick background checks that withhold weapons from those who should not have them, while seeing to it that responsible people with proper skills can have easy access to legal weapons. Unfortunately, this measure may not work out that way. It seems to be overly cumbersome in its process which can result in unnecessary delays in determining who and when someone is allowed to purchase a firearm. It may be better to come up with a better plan while recognizing the needs that it addresses. Baker County Democrats take a neutral position on this measure.

US SenateRon Wyden has been a great voice
as a small farmer. He understands the needs of veterans and farmers as well as the need to create a
proper universal healthcare system. He will be a voice for the common person and will speak the truth
that needs to be heard rather than what is politically expedient. Find out more at joefororegon.com
Oregon Governor
Tina
Speaker has given the skills necessary to be that kind of Governor. She was not afraid to criticize the
current administration for its failures during Covid. She knows how to work with a variety of stake
holders in forming policy and make sure that policy delivers to the citizens of this state. Find out more
about her at tinafororegon.com
Labor Commissioner
Christina Stephenson is the perfect person for Labor Commissioner. She has a long background as an
attorney that has advocated for civil and workers rights, both in our court system and at the legislative
level. She will make sure that the needs of Oregon workers will be met and their rights protected. Every
previous Labor Commissioner has endorsed her because they know she will do the job right. Find out
more about her at christinastephenson.com
County Commissioner Position 3
Dan Garrick is too extreme to represent all of Baker county. So, considering the alternative, we are
recommending voting for the more moderate candidate, Shane Alderson.BALLOT MEASURES
Measure 111
This measure codifies in the Oregon constitution the right to necessary healthcare for all. We can not
view healthcare as some kind of an option that people can live without, because they literally can not.
We need to produce a healthcare system that serves everyone’s needs in a comprehensive and efficient
way that produces the best outcomes at the least cost. This measure will ensure we are put on that path.
Baker County Democrats support this measure
Measure 112
This measure involves a long awaited change to the criminal justice code that ends the practice of using
inmates as slave labor as a form of punishment. Inmates should be treated as any other workers.
It also allows for punishment that does not involve incarceration as there are small offenses that are
best handled in tightly controlled way outside of a prison system that can make such people less able to
deal with those issues that lead them to commit their crimes.
Baker County Democrats support this measure
Measure 113
This measure deals with the problem of legislators holding up legislation by simply not showing up to
vote. Our elected officials are there to put together legislation to solve the issues of our state and then
vote on that legislation in a fair manner. They should not have the right to veto legislation by simply
running away. This measure is not the draconian thing many make it out to be Any excused absence is
not counted against a legislator, and they are allowed a good number of unexcused absences before
they are deemed no longer able to hold office. This is designed to end the most egregious examples of
bad behavior. A legislator can still opt out of voting but will have to be careful to pick the right place
and time to do so.
Baker County Democrats support this measure
Measure 114
This measure aims to help restrict access to guns to those who should not have them because of
reckless and criminal behavior as well as limit the size of magazines that make gun violence incidents
even more deadly. Having a permit process is helpful and if done right can lead to a efficient system
that leads to quick background checks that withholds weapons from those who should not have them
while seeing to it that responsible people with proper skills can have easy access to legal weapons.
Unfortunately, this measure may not work out that way. It seems to be overly cumbersome in its
process which can result in unnecessary delays in determining who and when someone is allowed to
purchase a firearm. It may be better to come up with a better plan while recognizing the needs that it
addresses..
Baker County Democrats take a neutral position on this measur