INCO ENDORSEMENTS
Each of us must vote and must urge others to vote, too. Here are Indivisible North Coast Oregon’s key endorsements:
Debbie Boothe-Schmidt for State Representative
INCO endorses Debbie Boothe-Schmidt to represent House District 32 in the state legislature. Her election will help keep a Democratic, often progressive, majority state legislature.
A Clatsop County resident, Debbie has the practical hands-on experience as a mother, union leader, and small business owner that Oregonians respect. She works quietly and calmly to serve her community. Debbie’s an advocate of public education, increased internet access in rural areas, and climate legislation. Her opponent, a 2016 Trump delegate, opposes climate legislation and the Student Success funding.
Debbie and a Democratic legislature can continue to use science, common sense, and experience to aid recovery from the wildfires and rebuild our economy from the pandemic. Other key issues include education funding, climate change, and emergency preparedness.
Shemia Fagan for Secretary of State
Here’s why this election is important: The 2020 Census could show that Oregon deserves another US Representative in Congress. If so, the state will need to be redistricted, which the legislature would do.
However, if they can’t do it by July 1 - because of another Republican walk-out, for example - the task would fall to the Oregon Secretary of State. Shemia Fagan, a Democrat, as Secretary of State will prevent Republican attempts to suppress the vote and gerrymander new legislative and Congressional districts. She is determined to protect Oregon’s vote by mail and voter registration systems.
Vote NO on Measure 4-205
Measure 4-205 would prohibit the Clatsop County Sheriff’s Office from enforcing gun laws, including common-sense gun laws that the majority of Americans support. The measure would also subject county employees to fines and penalties for doing their jobs if they enforce these laws.
Measure 4-205 is likely not constitutional, because it attempts to invalidate enforcement of existing federal and state gun laws. Measure 4-205 attempts to prevent the use of safety measures like background checks and Red Flag laws (e.g., where a court can order the temporary removal of firearms from a person who may present a danger to others or themselves) that have been proven to save lives and are supported by the vast majority of Americans.
One impact of Measure 4-205 would be the number of domestic violence restraining orders and red flag petitions could decline because persons who need protection think law enforcement won't remove firearms from someone, even when warranted. The presence of a firearm during domestic violence situations makes it 5 times more likely that a person will be shot and killed.
This measure could create more dangerous situations, because self-appointed so-called "militias" think there is local support for their actions and that they will not be held to common-sense gun safety laws or held accountable for their actions.
On average, one hundred people die from gun violence every day in this country, and hundreds more are wounded.
INCO endorses Joe Biden for President and Kamala Harris for Vice President. For re-election, INCO endorses Senator Jeff Merkley, Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici, Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum, and Treasurer Tobias Read.
INCO endorses Ballot Measure 107.
Be a Voter
Ballots are due by 8 pm, Tuesday, November 3.
Postmarks don’t count. More information at https://sos.oregon.gov/voting-elections and at Clatsop County Elections, 503-325-8605. Ballot drop box locations at www.co.clatsop.or.us.
