Not something I’ve done here before, but the 2020 election is important perhaps like no other, and that extends to the local and state level as well as national. And with ballots arriving I decided to post endorsements for the (mostly) local races that primarily impact Bend. Yes, it’s a political post and yes, it’s opinion, so if feel free to scroll on by if you’ve already made up your mind or don’t want political opinion. But whatever you do, if you can, VOTE this year!

State Measures

Measure 107

Amends Constitution: Allows laws limiting political campaign contributions and expenditures, requiring disclosure of political campaign contributions and expenditures, and requiring political campaign advertisements to identify who paid for them

Endorsement: Yes on 107. Why: I mean, why wouldn’t you want more transparency in political campaign finance, not to mention getting money out of politics?

Measure 108

Increases cigarette and cigar taxes. Establishes tax on e-cigarettes and nicotine vaping devices. Funds health programs.

Endorsement: Yes on 108. Why: Provides more funding for necessary health programs and finally loops vaping into accountability for tobacco taxes.

Measure 109

Allows manufacture, delivery, administration of psilocybin at supervised, licensed facilities; imposes two-year development period

Endorsement: Yes on 109. Why: Psilocybin has proven effective treatment for treatment-resistant depression and major depressive disorder, and decriminalizing a drug for supervised therapeutic use is the right move.

Measure 110

Provides statewide addiction/recovery services; marijuana taxes partially finance; reclassifies possession/penalties for specified drugs

Endorsement: Yes on 110. Why: It helps to establish addiction recovery centers and helps to address the drug crisis that is currently present.

Local Measures

Measure 9-134 Deschutes County

Shall ADDITIONAL commercial marijuana producers, processors, and processing sites be allowed in Deschutes County’s unincorporated areas (outside of city limits)?

Endorsement: Yes on 9-134. Why: I see no reason not to allow the possibility of additional businesses.

Measure 9-135 City of Bend

Bonds for Traffic Flow, East-West Connections, Neighborhood Safety Improvements

Endorsement: No on 9-135. Why: I’m usually pro-bonds and pro-taxes when it comes to infrastructure and service improvements, but after reading over the text and explanatory statements for this measure, I feel that it is far too vague on details for the amount of money they are seeking. Just saying “these streets will get improvements” without providing details or a plan for what type of improvement (more lanes? roundabouts? new traffic signals? overpasses? something else?) I find it hard to justify the cost of the measure. Plus there’s no mention of mass transit improvements or opportunities, which seems like a key factor in just this type of overhaul.

Measure 9-139 Deschutes Public Library District

Bonds to renovate, upgrade, construct and equip library facilities

Endorsement: Yes on 9-139. Why: In this measure we know what we’re getting. Plus I will almost always approve bonds and taxes for civic and school improvements like the library system—it’s too important not to.

Candidates

Quick note here: I’m not bothering to include the various positions that only have one candidate listed, including Deschutes County Treasurer, the various Deschutes Soil & Water positions, etc. Unless I have a name to write in (I don’t) they will receive my vote.

Deschutes County Commissioner, Position 2

Phil Chang, Democrat, vs. Incumbent Phil Henderson, Republican

Endorsement: Phil Chang. Why: Candidly, I’m voting all Democrat this year because we can’t afford not to, but Chang is also the best candidate to help guide the County. Plus I don’t believe we can trust Henderson’s leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic as he’s shown irresponsibility with social gatherings and masking.

Deschutes County Sheriff (non-partisan)

Incumbent Shane Nelson vs. Scott Schaier

Endorsement: Scott Schaier. Why: This is a tough call, both candidates have had issues and both have done good work for the community. Ultimately I think Schaier’s promise for more transparency and accountability as well as appearing to bring a more progressive approach to the office is worth endorsing.

Bend City Council, Position 1 (non-partisan)

Melanie Kebler vs. Incumbent Justin Livingston

Endorsement: Melanie Kebler. Why: It’s time for new blood and viewpoints on the City Council, and I don’t believe the city is best served by real estate and construction/development interests. Livingston’s statement in the Voter’s Pamphlet mentions promising to tackle “Bend’s big problems like crumbling streets and a lack of affordable housing” four years ago, and I haven’t seen progress on that front, so it’s time for a change.

Bend City Council, Position 2 (non-partisan)

Anthony Broadman vs. August Paul Johnson

Endorsement: Anthony Broadman. Why: Ultimately, he has more experience and a plan for his role on the Council.

Bend City Council, Position 3 (non-partisan)

Ron “Rondo” Boozell vs. Megan Perkins vs. Incumbent Chris Piper

Endorsement: Megan Perkins. Why: After Chris Piper was backdoored onto the Council in a surprise move over the more favored choices, mayor Sally Russell at the time said “she would prioritize diversity and inclusion when working on setting the City Council’s goals.” Megan Perkins is what that looks like. After nearly two years of reviewing Council meeting notes, I still don’t know what Piper has accomplished during him time there. Once again it’s time for a change.

Bend City Council, Position 4 (non-partisan)

Michael R. Hughes vs. Rita Schenkelberg (note: there’s a third candidate but he’s not listed in the Voter’s Pamphlet, so I’m not including him here)

Endorsement: Rita Schenkelberg. Why: I believe Schenkelberg will bring a viewpoint absolutely needed that’s been absolutely absent from the City Council.

State Representative, 53rd District

Incumbent Jack Zika, Republican vs. Emerson Levy, Democrat

Endorsement: Emerson Levy. Why: I don’t believe the state is best served by real estate and construction/development interests (Zika is a realtor and president of COAR) and I think Levy presents a stronger platform.

State Representative, 54th District

Incumbent Cheri Helt, Republican vs. Jason Kropf, Democrat

Endorsement: Jason Kropf. Why: Helt’s mudslinging attack ads are extremely off-putting and offensive in attempting to somehow link Kropf and the District Attorney’s office overall to child sex trafficking. Helt continually claims to be “independent” and to regularly break from her party yet notably, she still runs as a Republican—and votes accordingly. Kropf works to protect children and victims and I feel he better represents Bend.

State Senator, 27th District

Eileen Kiely, Democrat vs. Incumbent Tim Knopp, Republican

Endorsement: Eileen Kiely. Why: Knopp is another one with ridiculous attack ads (“Kiely will bring Portland riots to Bend” is certainly some unfounded paranoia) and he’s been in office too long. It’s time for a change, especially for someone with more of a resume than “career politician.”

Secretary of State

Kim Thatcher, Republican vs. Shemia Fagan, Democrate (note: there are two other party candidates listed but I’m focusing on the two major parties)

Endorsement: Shemia Fagan. Why: Fagan is a Democrat, and after reading both candidate’s statements in the Pamphlet it’s clear she has a background and vision for the position she’s running for.

State Treasurer

Incumbent Tobias Read, Democrat vs. Jeff Gudman, Republican

Endorsement: Tobias Read. Why: Now is not the time for a “budget hawk” who’s convinced he’s somehow “outside the system” enough to do… whatever it is that Gudman is claiming to fix? His position offers no mention of covid at all, which is not realistic to ignore.

Attorney General

Incumbent Ellen Rosenblum, Democrat vs. Michael Cross, Republican

Endorsement: Ellen Rosenblum. Why: She’s a lawyer and judge with real-world legal experience. Cross’s statement reads a little too imflammatory and conspiracy theory driven, certainly not someone I’d want as Attorney General.

U.S. Representative, 2nd District

Cliff Bentz, Republican vs. Alex Spenser, Democrat

Endorsement: Alex Spenser. Why: We need to flip the 2nd District to a Democrat, simply put. Bentz is a pro-Trump, reactionary conservative whereas Spenser is empathetic and realistic and understands the impact of COVID-19 (of which Bentz doesn’t even mention).

U.S. Senator

Jo Rae Perkins, Republican vs. Incumbent Jeff Merkeley, Democrat

Endorsement: Jeff Merkeley. Why: Perkins mentions that members of Congress take an oath to defend the Constitution, and we’ve seen anything but in recent years from the GOP. She’s extreme by many conservative standards. Merkeley has been doing a great job and won’t put us back 75 years.

President

Incumbent Donald Trump, Republican vs. Joe Biden, Democrat

Endorsement: Joe Biden. Why: I mean, obviously. If you even have to ask…