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.

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 lovely granddaughter, Mary Grimes of the Linn County Republican Women and John Bussell’s beautiful wife and family. With the Benton County Republicans were Marilyn Beattie with her darling infant daughter (our youngest rider yet), Ed Cohn, John Detweiler and PJ Hunter. 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.

The annual Summer Potluck Picnic and Membership Drive of the Benton County Republican Women was held at Janet Paine's beautiful home on Monday, July 27, 2009. First Vice President, Hawthorne O'Rourke stood in for President Lou Copes who was out of state. Christine Strawn, Vice President of the Oregon Chapter of Operation Homefront was the guest speaker. Christine explained the the recent deployment of National Guard Troops to Iraq was the largest deployment in Oregon's history and so, Operation Homefront is committed to assisting a huge number of families of the deployed and she explained the many ways in which BCRW members can help.

The Benton County Republicans participated in the Philomath Frolic Parade on Saturday, July 11, 2009. Sid Leiken, Mayor of Springfield and 2010 candidate for U.S. Congress for Oregon District 4 and Andy Olson, Incumbent Oregon State Representative for District 15 and 2010 candidate, walked the parade route passing out candy and balloons with the help of Mayor Leiken's campaign assistant, Jenn Thompson and Linda Bartcher. Bob Bartcher expertly pulled the float again this year. We were pleased that John Bussell, race car driver representing Operation Homefront, and his son Gary joined us for the parade as well as Laurie Rentz as the Statue of Liberty. Others riding the float were Lee McLaughlin and his daughter Hailee, John Detweiler, Stella Guenther, Sandra Hickey and PJ Hunter. Philomath parade goers are so enthusiastic and always make this event such a pleasure. Our thanks to all!