Way back in January 2008.......

Paulie Brading

A group of 25 potential candidates and campaign managers gathered in the Jackson County Democratic Headquarters meeting room on a chilly January morning. We had spent months recruiting potential candidates to attend this event. Cathy Allen from Campaign Connection out of Seattle stood in front of us ready to go. Allen has worked with candidates and provided political strategy in 42 states and has helped elect hundreds of candidates. Because of a friendship between Allen and one of our most supportive Jackson County Democrats she "gave" us 8 hours of intense training. Sitting in on that training was Lynn Howe, a former teacher and nurse and healthcare administrator.

Fast forward to September 2008. Lynn Howe is the Democratic candidate for State Representative in House District #6. Incumbent Republican Sal Esquivel of Medford has discovered that Lynn has mounted a campaign powered by several of the attendees at that January training. Representative Peter Buckley coaxed Lynn to run against Sal, secure in his judgement that Lynn had what it takes to run a tough campaign. Months later Lynn Howe has been endorsed by Senator Wyden and future state Attorney General John Kroger among a long list of other pols and organizations. John Kroger made a special trip to Medford to campaign for Lynn and Senator Wyden will soon be the speaker at a House Future PAC fund raiser for Lynn Howe here in Medford.

The Medford Mail Tribune wrote an editorial about Sal Esquivel stating he was the "voice of intolerance" after Sal was one of the chief petitioners to attempt to overturn domestic partnerships after 30 hard fought years of effort in Oregon to provide basic rights for all of our citizens. (A side note, the Jackson County Democrats formed our first Stonewall Caucus this year with over 30 active members.)

Let's take a quick look at "some" of Sal's record - all info from Orestar, Oregon Secretary of State:

Sal admits the healthcare system is broken but voted NO on legislation that would have insured over 100,000 children.

Sal opposed legislation requiring health insurance companies to notify the public of rate increases.

Sal voted for a $27 million tax break for corporations in 2005.

Sal opposed the expansion of the bottle bill to include plastic bottles.

Sal voted against development paying its fair share to improve school facilities.

Sal opposed a $15 document-recording fee which would have produced more than $60 million annually for affordable housing.

Here's the big ASK! Sal has $60,000 in his campaign piggy bank filled with contibutions from large tobacco companies, real estate, banking, developers and grocery store PAC money.

Please, please, please donate to Lynn Howe's campaign. Southern Oregon need Howe, Bates and Buckley in Salem.

Lynn Howe - A Voice for the Rest of Us!

www.lynnhowestaterep.com (541 434 6004)

By Paulie Brading Oct. 02, 2008