A Public letter to two candidates

Below is a public letter to two right wing candidates for non-partisan County offices.  Diane Rich is running for Coos County Clerk.  Among the Clerk’s many duties is supervising County Elections.  Ms. Rich’s opponents are:  Julie Brecke and Matthew Borgens.

Rod Taylor (not to be confused with Rob Taylor – radio talk show host) is running for Coos County Commissioner, Position 3.  He faces incumbent Commissioner Melissa Cribbins and Chase Carlson.  Neither Mr. Borgens nor Mr. Carlson submitted statements to the Voters Pamphlet.

Both Ms. Rich and Mr. Taylor have made election integrity a major campaign issue.  If none of the candidates wins a majority of votes cast in the May Primary, the top two vote getters will compete in the November general election.

Dear Ms. Rich and Mr. Taylor:

I write to express concerns regarding your nasty campaign rhetoric.  Both of you allege there is corruption in the County Election Office.  You insinuate that former County Clerk Debbie Heller and Current Clerk DeDe Murphy are guilty of crimes (as you know, Ms. Murphy is not running for Clerk).  Accusations by politicians running for office should be carefully scrutinized.  If you have any evidence showing election law violations you should make a complaint to Oregon’s Secretary of State who has jurisdiction in this area.  If there is evidence of a crime the Secretary can refer the complaint to Oregon’s Attorney General.

The complaint process will provide you an opportunity to prove your allegations.  It would provide those you accuse a chance to defend themselves.  The outcome of the complaint would help voters evaluate your credibility. 

It is unclear how far your alleged corruption extends.  Mr. Taylor has repeatedly said the 2020 Presidential Election was stolen.  He attended the January 6th “Stop the Steal” rally in Washington, D.C.  He told the Oregonian, “Antifa agitators” were behind the violence that day, claims the Oregonian said, “have been repeatedly debunked.”

You both questioned the integrity of the 2020 Coos County General Election.  In that election no Democrat won a majority of votes in any partisan race.  For the first time in decades no Democrat represents our County in Salem.  It is strange two Republicans would question the integrity of a red wave election.

Appearing on the April 4 2022 Rob Taylor Report Ms. Rich said, “I believe Oregon is a red state”.  She said on television, “If I’m elected, we’re going to quit doing mail-in ballots, except for people that are older”.  Voter passage of Ballot Measure 60 in 1998 made vote by mail Oregon law.  The yes vote won by more than 2 to 1.  Ms. Rich apparently doesn’t know a County Clerk can’t legally end mail voting. 

You both have a right to say what you will but with rights should come responsibilities.

Sincerely,

David Jennings