Albany, OR. —A week after a tense public confrontation during the “No Kings” protest, Albany City Councilor Michael Thomson and former Linn County GOP Chair Ben Roche have publicly reconciled, releasing coordinated statements emphasizing cooperation and shared support for the Linn County Law Enforcement Levy.
The dispute began when Thomson, reportedly angered by past political tensions, told Roche during a livestream, “I’m about ready to punch you in the face.” The exchange quickly went viral, sparking outrage and debate over civility in local politics. Thomson later apologized at Monday’s Council meeting, acknowledging his remarks were “out of line and made in the heat of the moment” but did not address an apology to Mr. Roche at the time.
In a follow-up statement, Thomson clarified that Roche’s prior social-media posts, once a point of contention, had used only publicly available photos. “While it upset me and my family, there was nothing illegal or improper about that action,” Thomson wrote, adding that he and Roche had since spoken directly and “worked to find common ground.” Thomson also wrote “[m]y reaction and language to Ben Roche were out of line and made in the heat of the moment.”
Roche confirmed that conversation in his own post, saying the two “reached mutual understanding” and that the focus now should be on “turning down the volume” of political discourse. Both men expressed support for Measure 22-212, which would renew funding for the Linn County Sheriff’s Office and public safety services.
“While the incident this weekend was regrettable, I believe we can show that even difficult moments can lead to cooperation and understanding,” Thomson said. “We agreed there are many important and challenging issues in the community, and while we may come at them in different ways, it’s time to turn the temperature down on the discourse and work towards solutions.”
Roche echoed that sentiment, saying “it’s not about party, it’s about protection — about giving our deputies and first responders the tools they need to keep Linn County safe.”
The Linn County Republican Central Committee also passed a unanimous resolution backing Measure 22-212, signaling growing bipartisan support.
Ballots for the Nov. 4, 2025 election are now in voters’ hands. Thomson and Roche both seem intent to demonstrate that civility, and collaboration, still have a place in Oregon politics.
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