Why Umatilla County Republicans’ Forum Could Change Everything Before the Primary—Don’t Miss These Insider Secrets!

PENDLETON — As the May 19 primary election approaches, the Umatilla County Republican Party is taking proactive steps to engage local voters. They are hosting two forums for residents to meet and question candidates vying for various offices, giving attendees a valuable opportunity to familiarize themselves with potential representatives.

The forums will take place on Friday, April 3, at 6 p.m. in the Pendleton High School Auditorium and Saturday, April 4, at 11 a.m. at Hermiston’s Harkenrider Senior Activity Center. Both events are open to the public, and attendees will have the chance to submit written questions to the moderator at the start of each forum. It’s important to note that no recordings will be permitted, and the forums will not be livestreamed, ensuring a focused environment for discussion.

As of March 26, a total of 14 candidates have confirmed their attendance, although some will only be present at one of the two events. Klaus Hoehna, Chair of the Umatilla County Republicans, emphasized that these forums will showcase candidates running for statewide and regional positions, making it easier for local residents to form their opinions ahead of the May primary.

"It allows us to meet these candidates, greet them, and hear what they have to say,"

Hoehna said.

"When people leave, hopefully they’ll have a better idea of who to vote for come election time."

Many of the candidates for high-profile statewide offices, such as governor and U.S. senator or representative, hail from outside Eastern Oregon. This makes the forums particularly significant for Umatilla County residents, who might not have had much exposure to these candidates prior to the election. Notably, two leading candidates for governor, state Sen. Christine Drazan from Canby and state Rep. Ed Diehl from Scio, are expected to speak at the April 3 forum. Diehl will also attend the Hermiston event on April 4. Interestingly, Chris Dudley, the former Portland Trail Blazer and another leading Republican candidate for governor, has not been confirmed to participate.

The forum format is a departure from previous events hosted by the party and aims to provide a comprehensive view of candidates across various levels of government. Questions will be organized by the positions for which candidates are running, with gubernatorial candidates addressed first. Hoehna, who will moderate the forum, plans to allow each candidate a limited time for introductory remarks where they can present their qualifications and outline why voters should choose them.

The Umatilla County Republican Party has prepared some questions that Hoehna may pose to the candidates, alongside those submitted by the audience. While some questions may cover similar topics, he aims to ensure fairness in how candidates respond, aware that later responders might have the advantage of hearing earlier answers.

At the conclusion of each forum, attendees will have an opportunity to mingle with the candidates during a meet-and-greet session, which will allow for personal interactions and the distribution of campaign materials.

The confirmed candidates for at least one of the two forums include:

Governor:

• Danielle Bethell
• Ed Diehl
• Christine Drazan
• Brad Peters
• Paul Romero

U.S. Representative:

• Andrea Carr
• Peter Larson

U.S. Senator:

• Russ McAlmond
• Jo Rae Perkins
• David Brock Smith

State Representative:

• Jim Doherty
• Greg Smith

County Commissioner:

• Eddy Antoniello
• Cindy Timmons

As the countdown to the primary election continues, these forums serve as a crucial platform for candidates to connect with voters and for residents to engage with the political process. For many in Umatilla County, this may be an invaluable chance to gain insights on the individuals who could represent them in government. With the election looming, the importance of such dialogues cannot be overstated.