I’m running for Congress.
Oregon got redistricted.
We had been in OR-4, Peter DeFazio’s district, but now we are in heavily Republican OR-2 (R+25, or so).
Alas and Alack.
This district is huge. It’s essentially the eastern two-thirds of Oregon, nearly from the Pacific Ocean (at the shores of my own Douglas County), to Washington, Idaho, Nevada, and California.
We are home to legendary rivers, like the Rogue, Umpqua, Klamath, Snake, and Columbia. (Please don’t reproach me for leaving out your favorite river. Oregon has lots.) We enjoy mountains, and desert, grasslands and forest. And lots of good people, who are represented, I feel, by an incumbent who does not represent their long-term interests or values.
I kept waiting for a young, charismatic Democrat to file in the primary. Alas, none did. Alack, I meet only one of those three qualifications.
So, early this morning, I filed with Oregon’s Secretary of State. This afternoon we launched.
I urge you to go to my website: JoeForOregon.com
I have no illusions about the challenges of running in an R+25 district. But am in it to win it.
I plan to update all of you about every two weeks. I’ll fill you in on developing issues, events, and cute animal pictures.
I am Joe Yetter. I believe that Oregon deserves a Congressperson who represents our core values and long-term interests. I believe that my values and my experience qualify me to be of service to you.
My core values: Liberty, equality, justice, peace, and service above self.
I joined the United States Army on September 5, 1968, and retired as a Colonel on January 31, 2004. My oath to defend the Constitution of the United States from all enemies, foreign and domestic, remains in effect.
I went to medical school to save lives. Just as I took an oath to defend our Constitution, I took the Hippocratic oath that obliged me to serve other people to the best of my ability, without regard to my own self-interest.
I am proud to have taught hundreds of younger doctors in multiple medical specialties, touching eternity as only a teacher can.
As a farmer, I've raised livestock and crops. I'm deeply aware of the difficulty of making a financial success of a small farm, of the challenges of water rights, weather, and the vagaries of markets. I love producing healthful food for neighbors and friends.
I've served my country, my patients, my students, and my neighbors. Please allow me to serve you.
JoeForOregon. For you.
Oh, please! Go to my website: JoeForOregon.com
How else are you going to learn that I’m an Army Brat? And have the cutest little lambs in the world? And the tallest corn?
Watch this space. Sit there, and, if any loose change falls out of your pockets, please allow ActBlue to scoop it up.
I’m gonna sit right here until you do.
Joe is sitting here, waiting for your comments.