With the continuing challenges presented by the Covid-19 pandemic, it has become obvious that, once again, we will be unable to host public candidate forums ahead of the November Election. Instead, the League of Women Voters of Lincoln County (LWVLC) will again request video presentations from the candidates seeking offices of particular interest to Lincoln County voters. The national and statewide races will be handled by LWVOR and/or other larger leagues, respecting the cross-over between multiple local leagues. Our hope is that the videos submitted will be published on the LWVLC Facebook site and also YouTube, along with links from our website. Thankfully, Judy Kreitmeyer has the technological skills to facilitate this public information endeavor. During the primary election cycle, Jean was offered the able assistance of Kaety Jacobson and Mark Farley to establish the League's first foray into this world! The races we currently anticipate covering are the state legislative races, circuit court judge, Lincoln County Commissioner, Central Lincoln PUD and any other contested local races that materialize following local filing deadlines. Contests currently on our radar screen include State Legislature: Senate District 5: Dick Anderson (R) of Lincoln City and Melissa Cribbins (D) of Coos Bay; Representative District 9 (which includes Yachats): Cal Mukomoto (D) of Coos Bay and Boomer Wright (R) of Reedsport; and Representative District 10: David Gomberg (D) of Neotsu and Max Sherman (R) of Hebo. In non-partisan races: Circuit Court Judge (Position 2): Amanda Benjamin and Marcia Buckley, both of Newport; Lincoln County Commissioner (Position 2): Claire Hall of Newport and Joe Hitselberger of Seal Rock; and Central Lincoln PUD (Subdivision 3): Curt Abbott of Waldport and Dale Dawson of Yachats. Jean Cowan is asking that anyone who has suggestions for questions to our candidates submit them directly to her as soon as possible at: jean@jeancowan.com She will put our best thoughts together and consolidate them into three questions for each candidate. If you know of any other contested local races of interest, please share that information with her also. We do not want to miss anyone!
