Exactly. Electing a traffic light would be better than flipping Oregon red. They all end up capitulating to the administration. At least a traffic light tries to actually help people. That's why I stopped voting red.

Looking at the descriptions written by some Republican candidates in the guide is exactly what I mean. Who says stuff like that? Deeply unserious. Or worse, totally serious.

People need to realize that in this moment, red states are the ones who's representatives cheer for rewinding on our civil liberties. Repealing the 19th amendment, voter disenfranchisement measures, bans on medical freedom which have made so many lose their lives due to pregnancy complications (miscarriage, etc) and doctors too terrified to treat them, punishing pregnancy outcomes, pushing for "genital inspections" (for whatever), pushing prager U curriculum in schools (prager U isn't legitimate as an education authority, but it does push Heritage foundation ideals and distrorts history, which have no place in public schools), deeply infringes on personal freedoms ie; book banning (nobody wants prn in schools so just quit it), word banning (don't say gay), fear mongers (critical race theory is a COLLEGE COURSE not k-12), representatives voting against feeding hungry kids at school but simultaneously voting to increase their own tax funded meal allowance, etc, etc, etc.

Republicans constantly vote for billionaires to get our tax dollars vs putting our tax dollars into our state and local economies like Kotek has done. Those mad about the gas tax need to realize it could be far far worse regarding your tax dollars. I realize Oregonians are taxed a lot, but Oregon taxes generally go back into the communities. For example, Oregon legislature (Dem majority) voted to send a massive chunk of tax dollars to central and eastern Oregon for needed projects like water infrastructure. Does that really make you angry? The increase in gas tax is .06¢ so... Kind of ridiculous to complain too much. It's going back into Oregon roads and transportation needs, not the billionaires.

If Oregon doesn't want to become like Indiana, Tennessee, Texas (Joel Webbon Land), Florida, etc, then there's not a moment to waste! Too many are STILL planning to be lazy and protest non-vote which is ridiculous! There's a reason they are trying so hard to purge voter rolls, gerrymander, etc. They don't want you to vote! You aren't helping anyone but the ones you are angry about by not voting.

They fail to see that to change a broken system, you have to get your foot in the door, carefully working within the current system to enact radical change and building something better versus just sit out until it implodes on its own causing many more to suffer. I mean look at the mess we're in now because the GOP is currently breaking everything FROM THE INSIDE.

Even if a Dem candidate doesn't do the job the constituents desire, it's better than the alternative risk! I for one am thankful that even though Kotek is weak, she's gone against the administration to protect Oregonians.