When you manage the day-to-day affairs of a town of 1,800 people hours away from recognizable metropolitan areas, you get used to being ignored by the powers that be. Salem bureaucrats do not care about your community; Portland special interests keep political leaders focused on urban concerns; and the federal government has been so mismanaged or so long that they do not care about rural areas unless prodded by someone with a big stick. Nevertheless, I have invited several Democratic and Republican candidates to visit Elgin, Oregon to learn more about the policy needs of the Jewel of the Blue Mountains. As of this weekend, 6 gubernatorial candidates from either party have visited this election cycle.
James Atkinson IV, Democrat, Portland
Mr. Atkinson is an inventor who came to Elgin to talk about natural resources. He has never held office before, but ran for Mayor of Portland in 2024. He had lunch with me and an Elgin City Councilor at the Elgin Station before going on a tour of Elgin City Hall and the Hu-Na-Ha RV Park.
Patrick Kopke-Hales, Republican, Mt. Vernon (Withdrawn)
Mr. Kopke-Hales is a volunteer firefighter and US military veteran. He had breakfast with me, Elgin Mayor S. James Johnson, and members of the Union County Republicans executive committee at Bighorns. He participated in tours of the Elgin Public Library, Elgin City Hall, and the Hu-Na-Ha RV Park. While he ultimately withdrew from the race, I appreciated the humility and willingness to learn that he exhibited, which I find unfortunately rare among first-time candidates.
Paul Romero, Republican, Roseburg
Mr. Romero is a US Navy veteran. He met me in Elgin City Hall for a tour and discussion about water infrastructure and economic development. Afterwards, he had a meet and greet at Bighorns.
Chris Dudley, Republican, Sisters
Mr. Dudley is a former member of the Portland Trailblazers NBA team. In 2010, he was the Republican gubernatorial nominee and had the smallest margin of defeat of any GOP candidate since 1982. He met with me and Mayor Johnson in Elgin City Hall for a discussion about timber, economic development, and municipal risk management.
Commissioner Daniel Bethell, Republican, Marion County
Commissioner Bethell represents Marion County and previously served on the Salem-Keizer School Board. She was also executive director of the Oregon Disabilities Commission, a state agency. Commissioner Bethell met with me, several City committee members, and the Elgin Chamber of Commerce President at the Elgin Public Library for a discussion that primarily focused on mental health and public safety.
Representative Ed Diehl, Republican, Scio
Representative Ed Diehl represents Marion and Linn Counties in the Oregon House of Representatives. He was chief petitioner on the ballot measure to repeal the gas tax. Rep. Diehl met with me, Mayor Johnson, a City Councilor, several City Committee members, Elgin Chamber representatives, and Senator Todd Nash at Elgin City Hall for a discussion that primarily focused on the gas tax, natural resources, and public safety. State Senator David Brock Smith, who is running for US Senator against Jeff Merkley, also fielded questions from community leaders.
The Future
Any candidate who holds Elgin with the esteem that every rural community deserves and decides to visit will get a warm welcome, regardless of party. I want everyone who may be representing Elgin in Salem to arrive in office aware of our community’s needs. Furthermore, when I knock on doors for the gubernatorial candidate I choose to support in May, I cannot in good faith recommend that my neighbors vote for someone if I have not been able to shake that candidate’s hand in the Jewel of the Blue Mountains. I hope as many candidates as possible visit Elgin this primary cycle so the future victor is prepared to serve Elgin on day one.
About the Author
