To no one’s surprise, I’m sure, the Hack Bend election endorsements are back for the 2022 midterm election. Right now it’s more important than ever that you get out to vote, and if you’re struggling with how to vote, hopefully these endorsements will give you a nudge.

These are relevant to the Bend area; I’m not covering Redmond, Sisters, and so on, but if you are looking for information and guidance for those races, be sure to check out The Source Weekly’s election coverage, which I’d consider the best in the region for the media outlets. For the best overall coverage and in-depth research and reasoning, you need to read Laura Camacho’s Voting Guide which covers everything.

If you want a spoiler on the candidates I’m supporting—no surprise again, it’s Democrats all the way down the ticket. Why? I’m not going to mince words: it’s because more than ever, the Republican party is represented almost entirely by extremist, election denying, anti-vax, Christian Nationalist, anti-choice candidates that would drag us backwards and subvert democracy. If they get elected to office, then things like healthcare, women’s reproductive freedoms, Social Security, education, and more are all on the chopping block. This is not an exaggeration—these candidates have been telling us all along that this is exactly what they intend.

So. Let’s start with the ballot measures.

State Measure 111

Amends Constitution: State must ensure affordable healthcare access, balanced against requirement to fund schools, other essential services.

Endorsement: Yes.

This is just a common sense proposal, and establishes health care as a fundamental right, which it absolutely should be. There’s simply no good reason to vote anything other than “Yes” on this.

State Measure 112

Amends Constitution: Removes language allowing slavery and involuntary servitude as punishment for crime.

Endorsement: Yes.

If 111 is a no-brainer, 112 is even more so, and it’s creepy that slavery has been encoded into the Constitution under this loophole as long as it has. I would be very suspicious of any person or organization that votes against this.

And interestingly, there is an argument in opposition (but only one), furnished by Jason Myers, Executive Director of the Oregon State Sheriffs’ Association (pay attention to this name). What the what? Do the state Sheriffs really want to keep slavery in the Constitution??

State Measure 113

Amends Constitution: Legislators with ten unexcused absences from floor session disqualified from hold next term of office.

Endorsement: Yes.

This is not unreasonable. I’d wager than for most of us, missing anywhere near that many work days without excuse would have been grounds for firing long before hitting the tenth absence. Legislators should deal with the consequences as well.

State Measure 114

Requires permit to acquire firearms; police maintain permit/firearm database; criminally prohibits certain ammunition magazines.

Endorsement: Yes.

This is the big one, and let’s face it, it will probably fail because the gun nuts are out in force about it. And to be fair, there is one reasonable argument I’ve seen against 114 (besides the usual posturing about “rights”), and that’s the danger of placing the unilateral power of deciding who can have a gun with the police. Because giving the police sole power over something, that’s never been a problem before, right?

On the other hand, something needs to be done about guns, and this measure is better than nothing, so voting “Yes” at the very least sends the message that there needs to be change when it comes to gun control.

Also? Several of the arguments in opposition was again provided by Jason Myers, Executive Director of the Oregon State Sheriffs’ Association (see above), the same organization that wants to keep slavery language in the Constitution. That alone should make you want to vote “Yes”, but also, these arguments amount to basically fearmongering, and saying the Sheriffs won’t do their jobs because 114 would violate the U.S. Constitution. Uh-huh.

County Measure 9-148

Makes County Commissioner seats and elections nonpartisan.

Endorsement: Yes.

Another common sense measure that would hopefully bring better representation to the actual county at large. Plus, the only argument in opposition is from former Republican Commissioner (and current Chair of the Republican Party) Phil Henderson, so you know you’re on the right side of history voting “Yes” on 9-148.

County Measure 9-152

Concerning psilocybin manufacturing and service centers in unincorporated Deschutes County.

Endorsement: No.

This is the backdoor attempt by Commissioners DeBone and Adair to circumvent the will of Oregon voters who chose to allow psilocybin manufacturing and service centers back in 2020. It’s a ridiculous waste of time and money and (not coincidentally) also a reason to vote out these two clowns. Vote “No” on this to allow establishment of these centers.

School District Measure 9-155

Bonds for Safety Improvements, School Renovations and Preservation of Facilities.

Endorsement: Yes.

I have a rule of thumb: always vote “Yes” on bond measures to support schools and libraries. They are already underfunded as it is. In this case, this will replace the current bond that’s being retired so there’s no additional cost on property taxes.

Candidates

All right, it’s candidate time! You can see my “spoiler” above on voting Democrat (and before you ask, no, I’m not a member of either political party). However I’ll spell it out for each race, just going straight down the order they appear in the Voters’ Pamphlet. (I won’t list those positions with none or only one (usually incumbent) candidate, however.)

U.S. Senator

Endorsement: Ron Wyden

It’s simple: He’s getting things done, and the next likely contender, Republican Jo Rae Perkins, is literally against education, election integrity, and vaccines.

U.S. Representative, 2nd District

Endorsement: Joe Yetter

Technically if you’re in Bend proper, you won’t be voting in this race, but in the 5th District race (see below). But if you’re a 2nd District voter, well, vote Joe Yetter because Republican Cliff Bentz is a joke.

U.S. Representative, 5th District

Endorsement: Jamie McLeod-Skinner

The 5th District is the newly redrawn district that takes effect for 2023, covering northwestern Deschutes County (including Bend) all the way up to Clackamas. McLeod-Skinner is the most qualified candidate for this position, period. Her opponent, Republican Lori Chavez-DeRemer, is another of the extremist candidates that the GOP is putting up this year, and is most certainly unqualified to serve in office, much less represent Oregon in Washington, D.C.

Governor

Endorsement: Tina Kotek

No surprise here, but I’ll note that if you think you’re somehow rebelling against the system by voting for Betsy Johnson as an Independent candidate, you’re not—a vote for Johnson is effectively a vote for Republican Christine Drazan, who may well be the most extreme of this far-right slate of candidates. Drazan would, in no uncertain terms, be an utter disaster for Oregon, and would drag the state backwards by decades. Seriously, this is a woman who doesn’t believe Joe Biden won the 2020 presidential election and would criminalize abortion.

Don’t throw your vote away on a spoiler like Johnson, because you won’t be happy with how it turns out. Tina Kotek is the only sane choice for Governor.

State Representative, 53rd District

Endorsement: Emerson Levy

The 53rd District covers the northern half of Bend plus much of Redmond, Sisters, Black Butte Ranch, Eagle Crest, and more (essentially northwestern Deschutes County). Levy is the best choice to represent the district in the state legislature, with concrete policy positions and the passion and drive to get things done. Want to know more about her opponent, Republican Michael Sipe? Read about him here; suffice to say, he’s a Christian Nationalist and insurrectionist who called for a holy war over January 6th who seems to have been involved in a multi-level marketing (MLM) scam company.

He’s cut from the same cloth as Drazan. Vote Emerson Levy for the reasonable, best choice.

State Representative, 54th District

Endorsement: Jason Kropf

The 54th District covers the southern half of Bend. Kropf is a former district attorney who beat Cheri Helt for the state seat in 2020, and has worked effectively for his two first years in Salem. Let’s keep a good thing going and send him back for more.

State Representative, 55th District

Endorsement: Brian Lepore

The 55th covers the southern part of Deschutes County and a good chunk of Klamath County, so you may or may not be in that district. Regardless, Lepore is running to replace Republican E. Werner Reschke, and another Democratic voice in Salem is what we need.

Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor and Industries

Endorsement: Christina E. Stephenson

Stephenson’s opponent is Cheri Helt, who was previously a State Representative before being defeated by Jason Kropf. Why vote for Stephenson instead of Helt? Among other reasons, because Helt is endorsed by Betsy Johnson and Christine Drazan, so that’s a hard pass. But also? Stephenson is an attorney versed in Oregon employment law, which makes her a great candidate for the BOLI role.

Deschutes County Commissioner, Position 1

Endorsement: Oliver Tatom

There needs to be a change with the Deschutes County Commission, and that change is voting Republicans Tony DeBone and Patty Adair out. From obstructing the COVID-19 response (and outright denial of the severity of the pandemic), to attempting to subvert the will of the voters in Measure 9-152, to their latest hit, voting to exclude most abortions from health care coverage for county employees and their families, DeBone and Adair have proven unfit to be in office.

So vote for Oliver Tatom in Position 1 to replace DeBone, and then for Position 2—

Deschutes County Commissioner, Position 2

Endorsement: Morgan Schmidt

Schmidt is running against Adair, and I’ve outlined above why the incumbents need to go. Schmidt has already proven to be the leader for this role, and she and Tatom will both bring thoughtful, reasoned guidance to the County.

Deschutes County Treasurer

Endorsement: Trevor Lewis (updated)

Update: I’d initially endorsed William Kuhn based on his listed experience, but Laura Camacho pointed out he’s Republican while Lewis is a Democrat; this isn’t indicated in the Pamphlet. Since I dictated from the outset that it’s support for Democrats down the ticket, I’ve changed my endorsement accordingly. Kuhn may well be a great candidate for this role, but I need to be consistent and stick to it.

Note: There was a third candidate on the ballot, Alex Polvi, but they did not appear in the Voters’ Pamphlet so I’m not including them here.

Bend City Council, Position 4

Endorsement: Barb Campbell

Overall I think there are two strong candidates in Barb Campbell and Karon Johnson, and ultimately I’m endorsing Campbell because I think experience on the Council is the advantage here.

Note, there are two other candidates for Position 4, Erlin Taylor (who has some ambiguity about where she lives?), and William Olsen, a real estate broker. Another rule of thumb I have is, no real estate brokers on the City Council; Olsen might be otherwise qualified, but that’s just the rule.

Bend City Council, Position 5

Endorsement: Ariel Méndez

With his experience with the Park and Rec District and PhD in political science, Méndez is eminently qualified for this role and would serve with distinction. His opponent, Sean Sipe is a real estate broker, so that’s a nope. Also, is he Michael Sipe’s son? Definitely no.

Bend City Council, Position 6

Endorsement: Mike Riley

Another candidate with great qualifications, Riley would be a valuable asset to the Council, and is well worth your vote. His opponent, Rick Johns, doesn’t seem to be very in touch with Bend or the area in general, based on his pamphlet statement, and his further assumption that Chris Piper will be mayor is off-putting.

Note, a third candidate, Julia Brown, is on the ballot but not in the pamphlet.

Bend Mayor, Position 7

Endorsement: Melanie Kebler

Here’s another no-brainer. Kebler has the experience and the knowledge to be a terrific mayor. Her opponent is Chris Piper, and I still don’t know what he’s accomplished besides getting backdoored onto the Council amid controversy and then losing a re-election bid. I just don’t think Piper has anything to offer Bend in any governmental capacity. Kebler, on the other hand, knows the job, and can get things done. Vote Melanie Kebler for Bend Mayor.

And there we have it, the Hack Bend election endorsements for 2022. I hope this was useful to folks!

Above all, get out and vote!