To the Editor:

The hotly contested race for U.S. Senate is one of the most interesting and most important races on the ballot. In it, Oregonians have a very clear choice. It is a choice for the new politics advocated by Senator Barack Obama and Jeff Merkley, or more of the same, which is what Gordon Smith and John McCain represent.

Jeff Merkley would bring a new and exciting perspective to the U.S. Senate from Oregon. Merkley has spent the past decade advocating for Oregonians in the Oregon House of Representatives, the past two years as Speaker. Many objective observers describe the 2007 legislative session in Salem, presided over by Speaker Merkley, as one of the most successful legislative sessions in Oregon history. One small example is how Merkley got cooperation from both sides of the aisle to pass a “rainy day” fund to assist in funding Oregon’s schools during tough economic times.

Gordon Smith has had 12 years in Washington to advocate for rural Oregonians, which he has failed to do. Jeff Merkley will work for all Oregonians, both rural and urban. For those of us in rural Oregon, he will advocate for the funding of rural infrastructure development, in transportation, water and other needed areas. This is what we need from our senator.

Jeff Merkley has worked in Salem to bring renewable energy industries to our state. Let’s send him to Washington to do the same at the federal level. If we are to work ourselves free of relying on foreign oil, we must develop renewable resources right here in Oregon and throughout the U.S. Jeff Merkley will be part of the solution, not part of the problem.

On issue after issue, Jeff Merkley represents the interest of rural Oregonians. Gordon Smith represents more of the same. Smith may attempt to sound like a “maverick,” but a record of voting with George Bush 90 percent of the time, speaks otherwise.

Let’s send a new Oregon voice to Washington. A native of Myrtle Creek, in Southern Oregon, growing up in Roseburg, Jeff Merkley knows rural Oregon. In Washington he can be a true advocate for rural Oregon. Let’s send him to Washington to do the job for us!

Jack Lorts, Chair

DPO Rural Caucus

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