Statesman Journal Article on Dems Office Opening

Start: 05/15/2008 - 12:00pm
End: 05/15/2008 - 12:00pm

May 16, 2008
Marion County Democrats Set Up Salem Office

By Peter Wong
Statesman Journal

Marion County Democrats opened an office Thursday in Salem on the heels of recent registration gains that have pushed their numbers past Republicans for the first time in 20 years.

"When I was first elected, I was the only Democrat in Marion County. I'm telling you, that's close to being true," said Senate President Peter Courtney, who was first elected as a state representative in 1980.
"I want every one of you to pinch me when this is over, because that's the only way I'm going to know this is a real thing."

Actually, when Courtney took office, state Sen. Keith Burbidge of Salem served until 1982, and Rep. Jeff Gilmour of Jefferson had been in since 1973.  But from 1999 until 2005, Courtney, by then a senator, was the lone Democrat in the Mid-Valley delegation.

Democrats now account for 55,156 voters on the Marion County rolls, Republicans, 54,958 -- the first time Democrats have had a lead over Republicans since the May 1988 primary.

The office is at 250 Liberty St. SE.  A new phone will be activated Monday.

Contributions from local Democrats, plus the campaign committees of Courtney and state Reps. Brian Clem of Salem and Betty Komp of Woodburn will pay for the office, which will allow space for candidate and volunteer activities and meetings.

Usually a ribbon-cutting ceremony involves only the local party leaders, elected officials of that party and maybe someone from the state party.  But as Democratic registration surges and Democratic hopes rise this year, Thursday's ceremony attracted a wide range of prominent Democrats. 

There were no presidential candidates, although Sens. Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama will make their way back to Oregon this weekend, just before votes are counted in Tuesday's primary. Their Salem offices are two blocks to the north. 

But among those on hand were 5th District congressional candidate Kurt Schrader, a state senator from Canby; secretary of state candidate Kate Brown, a state senator from Portland; a stand-in for secretary of state candidate Vicki Walker, a state senator from Eugene; and attorney general candidate Greg Macpherson, a state representative from Lake Oswego.  Helping Courtney cut the ribbon was House Majority Leader Dave Hunt of Gladstone, who is likely to be the next House speaker if Democrats retain or expand their one-vote majority. 

Also present was every Mid-Valley candidate for the Oregon House: Dan Thackaberry of Lebanon in District 17, Jim Gilbert of Molalla in District 18, Hanten Day of Salem in District 19, Richard Riggs of Salem in District 20, and Jason Brown of Dallas in District 23, in addition to Clem and Komp, who are seeking new terms.

"Don't let anyone tell you that majorities don't matter," said Meredith Wood Smith of Portland, chairwoman of the Democratic Party of Oregon. "If you look at the job that the Senate and House did last year, it proves that when Democrats are in charge, we practice good governance."

pwong@StatesmanJournal.com or (503) 399-6745