Election Opinions

Online extra election letters — updated through election day!

Letters by Letters EditorPosted on

Union Member for Hoyle

My name is Brian Lemke, I am a proud member of Carpenters Local 541 in Eugene.

I’m writing to share my personal endorsement for Val Hoyle, she has always been there for the working men and women of Oregon and I strongly feel she has the experience and aptitude to continue to fight for all Oregonians to protect our  JOBS-WAGES-AND-BENNEFITS that we continue to fight for in this great state.

Thank you for your time.

Brian Lemke

Eugene

Union Carpenter for Hoyle
As a union carpenter, I wholeheartedly support Val Hoyle for Congress. Hoyle has consistently shown that she stands firmly with working people and the middle class. Her record speaks volumes: as Oregon’s labor commissioner, she fought tirelessly to ensure that workers receive fair wages and benefits, helping to enforce labor laws that protect against wage theft and other violations. Hoyle’s support for expanding family leave and her work on the Oregon Family Leave Act shows her dedication to policies that benefit both workers and their families.
Throughout her career, Hoyle has proven she is a champion of workers’ rights. She’s also led initiatives to secure funding for worker protection agencies within the Department of Labor, including OSHA, ensuring better workplace safety and advocating for fair treatment and security for workers across Oregon. Her commitment to labor and her work with the Labor Caucus in advocating for funding of worker protection demonstrates her dedication to creating real, positive change for working families in Oregon and nationwide.
Val Hoyle’s efforts aren’t just words — they are concrete actions that demonstrate her commitment to labor and the middle class. I am proud to support her and encourage others to do the same for a leader who truly has our backs.
John Snider
Rickreall

Science-Deprived Politics

PBS recently reported that Donald J. Trump wants to overturn the traditional American vaccine mandate for schools. In his stump speeches he frequently says he will end federal funding for schools who require them.

The reason we had a hundred years between deadly pandemics in the United States (Influenza in 1918, Covid in 2020) is because we enforced a vaccine mandate for schools. All 50 states have a vaccine requirement tied to school attendance, and for a very good reason.

If enacted, this childish and foolish MAGA policy position will kill millions of Americans in fairly quick order. It is not worth the fun of the conspiracy theory and the votes of science-deprived citizens to talk this way, Mr. Former President.

Kimball Shinkoskey

Woods Cross, Utah 

A Note From the Publisher

Dear Readers,

The last two years have been some of the hardest in Eugene Weekly’s 43 years. There were moments when keeping the paper alive felt uncertain. And yet, here we are — still publishing, still investigating, still showing up every week.

That’s because of you!

Not just because of financial support (though that matters enormously), but because of the emails, notes, conversations, encouragement and ideas you shared along the way. You reminded us why this paper exists and who it’s for.

Listening to readers has always been at the heart of Eugene Weekly. This year, that meant launching our popular weekly Activist Alert column, after many of you told us there was no single, reliable place to find information about rallies, meetings and ways to get involved. You asked. We responded.

We’ve also continued to deepen the coverage that sets Eugene Weekly apart, including our in-depth reporting on local real estate development through Bricks & Mortar — digging into what’s being built, who’s behind it and how those decisions shape our community.

And, of course, we’ve continued to bring you the stories and features many of you depend on: investigations and local government reporting, arts and culture coverage, sudoku and crossword puzzles, Savage Love, and our extensive community events calendar. We feature award-winning stories by University of Oregon student reporters getting real world journalism experience. All free. In print and online.

None of this happens by accident. It happens because readers step up and say: this matters.

As we head into a new year, please consider supporting Eugene Weekly if you’re able. Every dollar helps keep us digging, questioning, celebrating — and yes, occasionally annoying exactly the right people. We consider that a public service.

Thank you for standing with us!

Publisher
Eugene Weekly

P.S. If you’d like to talk about supporting EW, I’d love to hear from you!
jody@eugeneweekly.com
(541) 484-0519

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