On Tuesday, March 16, 2010, AFP held a "Honk No" Rally (honk 'no' for a government takeover of America's health care) from 12 Noon to 1:00 p.m. Members from Oregon's 5th District gathered at the intersection near U.S. Rep. Kurt Shrader's Salem office. A number of counties were represented at the rally. AFP wasn't alone. MoveOn.org members and other 'I-want-government-to-take-over-my-rights' advocates were also there so signs were mixed in this peaceful rally. Drivers honked their horns for their chosen side of the debate, if they could figure out which was which.

The Oregon Chapter of Operation Homefront sponsors weekly Support the Troops rallies in Corvallis, Oregon. All who wish to honor our Troops and Veterans are most welcome to participate. Rallies are held every Thursday from 12:00 Noon to 1:00 p.m. on Philomath Blvd. at 53rd Street (on the sidewalk in front of Bi-Mart. Occasionally, other locations may be selected. New rally photos will be added to this album throughout the year.

The Linn and Benton County Republicans hosted a joint Lincoln Day Celebration and Benefit Auction on Friday, February 12th with Hugh Hewitt, nationally syndicated radio hosts as the special guest speaker. Thank you to Carolyn Webb for these photos. More photos and details coming shortly...

On Monday, January 25, 2010, the Benton County Republican Women hosted the two 5th District Republican candidates seeking the nomination for U.S. Congress in Oregon's May Primary. Fred Thompson and Scott Bruun shared their views on issues and took questions from the audience of about 50 people. (Photos by Gazette-Times photographer Scobel Wiggins.)

Benton County Republicans and Benton County Republican Women teamed up with Americans for Prosperity (AFP) of Benton County, part of a non-partisan national organization that advocates for responsible fiscal policy. During the 2009 Legislative Session, Oregon Democrats introduced 111 new taxes and fees and, as the majority party, passed many. AFP, Republicans and other fiscally conservative organizations collected signatures according to the Oregon initiative process and were able to put a new personal income tax and a new business tax on the ballot for the January 26, 2010 Special Election to let the people decide. These initiatives are Measures 66 & 67. On the first evening of street rallies, Andrew (I'm afraid I didn't catch his last name) came up to Corvallis from Lane County to participate. He came to America from Poland thirty years ago at the age of 24. He remembers Communism, redistribution of wealth and the heavy hand of Russia on the economic lives of the Polish people. What he is seeing now in America and in Oregon scares him. Andrew expected to find 2,000 people protesting measures 66 & 67 that night. These rallies might be small but there is much enthusiasm and dedication to voting down these job-killing taxes that would most certainly have a negative effect on small businesses in Oregon. RESULT: Unfortunately, both Measure 66 and Measure 67 passed.

The Benton County Republican Women met in the Fireside Room at Kings Circle Assembly of God Church on Thursday, December 14th for their annual Christmas Potluck Party and installation of officers for 2010-2011. Guests Joyce Waggoner, President of the Oregon Federation of Republican Women spoke, and Vi Mac Donald, OFRW District IV Director, conducted the installation ceremony.

The Benton and Linn County Republicans participated jointly in the November 11th “Generations of Valor” Veterans Day Parade in Albany, Oregon. The Benton County Republican Women made thousands of patriotic buttons for parade goers with new designs from April Aguirre of Warrior’s Refuge Military Card Company. Rep. Andy Olson, Christy Sullivan, Linda Bartcher and Stella Guenther passed the buttons out along the parade route. Sen. Frank Morse and John Bussell, race car driver representing Operation Homefront, walked with the float and Sid Leiken and his campaign group followed while Bob Bartcher expertly pulled the float. Riding the float were Linn County Republican Chair, Jo Rae Perkins with her son and beautiful granddaughter, Mary Grimes of the Linn County Republican Women, John Bussell’s lovely wife and family, (unidentified) with her darling infant daughter (our youngest rider yet), Ed Cohn, John Detweiler and PJ Hunter of Benton County. We wish to thank the Veterans Commemorative Association for putting on a fantastic parade and offer our gratitude to the City of Albany for hosting it. And finally, with our deepest appreciation, we thank our veterans who have served our country and protected our freedoms so well. God bless you all.

The Benton County Republican Party's annual appreciation dinner was held on November 5th at the Clubhouse in Adair Village and was catered by Valley Catering. John Bell, 1st Vice President, served as emcee and Oregon's Republican House Leader, Rep. Bruce Hanna, was our main speaker. Republican candidates for 2010 were introduced and spoke briefly. Chair, Jeff Limón and John Bell thanked the Precinct Committee Men and Women and volunteers for all their work in 2009.

The Benton County Republican Women provide displays celebrating important historical events for the Corvallis-Benton County Library.

The 2009 Republican Barbecue was held on August 20th in the Beer Gardens at the Philomath Frolic Rodeo Grounds in Philomath, Oregon. A social gathering began at 5pm with dinner starting at 6pm. Sandy McHenry and his volunteer crew fired up the barbecue and bean pot early in the day for a fabulous Tri-tip beef and chicken dinner. Lynda McHenry filled out the menu with her crew of Republican Volunteers. Bob Tiernan, Chairman of the Oregon Republican Party was the main speaker.