In just 30 days Oregonians will begin receiving ballots in what will be--for better or for worse--a defining election for the future of GLBT equality in Oregon for years to come. Never has there been more at stake in local, legislative and statewide candidate races for our movement. That's why Basic Rights Oregon has more than doubled any of our previous efforts to elect pro-GLBT legislators and unseat those who have stood in the way of equality. The truth is that there are more races than we have resources so we have had to be very strategic about our election efforts to make the most impact in the most important races for our issues.

Here's how we'll succeed:

1. In order to change the balance of power in the House and bring civil unions and anti-discrimination to a vote in the 2007 legislative session, we must knock off one-bad vote--making sure one of the vulnerable anti-gay Republicans running for reelection does not come back to Salem.

2. Like we did throughout the legislative session, we will keep relentless pressure on House Speaker Karen Minnis through election day. Normally the Speaker would have an easy race -- and she'd use her time to raise money for other right-wing candidates. But this year, BRO and our coalition partners have launched a full-scale offensive that will force her to dig deep and spend tons of money to defend her own seat. Each dollar she spends defending herself starves vulnerable anti-gay Republicans depending on her financial support this election cycle and puts her return as Speaker in real jeopardy.

3. We must reelect our pro-LGBT Governor: Ted Kulongoski

This entry was posted on Thursday, September 28, 2006 at 11:48 AM. Want to discuss? Leave a comment below.