demobrats

If you need a reminder to vote, REMEMBER how we all felt the moment Trump was inaugurated for his second term. REMEMBER that we got here because we didn't reach our neighbors and earn their vote. HELP US GET OUT THE VOTE FOR VIRGINIA IN THE FINAL 10 DAYS OF THIS PRIMARY DONATE $45 FOR VIRGINIAS BIRTHDAY Virginia's remarks from the People's March at the Oregon State Capitol January 18, 2025. We need you to get involved with your local organizers and get ready to help create a different outcome in the coming months and years. In Salem and in Oregon we have the Marion County Democrats, The Working Families Party, Progressive Salem, Keizer Forward, Girlypop Politics, Salem and Woodburn Indivisible, and MomsforOregon. Bluesky: DemobratsInstagram:VoteVirginiaStapleton // TellYourFriendsOregonFacebook: Elect Virginia Stapletonemail us: [email protected] Be sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode!

Apologies for our sound quality. The backseat in a car isn't the best place to record a podcast. GET LOUD STAY LOUDJOIN VIRGINIA'S CAMPAIGN FOR STATE SENATE⁠⁠VOLUNTEER WITH US (knock doors or phone bank)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠DONATE TO THE CAMPAIGN - EARLY MONEY IS SO POWERFUL⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠SIGN UP TO VOLUNTEER, GET A YARD SIGN, OR ENDORSE VIRGINIA⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠VISIT THE CAMPAIGN WEBSITE ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tiktok: VirginiaStapleton Bluesky: Demobrats Instagram: VoteVirginiaStapleton Facebook: Elect Virginia Stapletonemail us: [email protected] sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode!

This week on the pod we have Director Andrea Bell of Oregon Housing and Community Services joining Virginia and Chris to talk all about housing, affordable housing, solving the homelessness crisis, and the full continuum of care in Marion Polk Counties. For those of you who love to get into the weeds, you're going to love this one! GET LOUD STAY LOUDJOIN VIRGINIA'S CAMPAIGN FOR STATE SENATE⁠VOLUNTEER WITH US (knock doors or phone bank)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠DONATE TO THE CAMPAIGN - EARLY MONEY IS SO POWERFUL⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠SIGN UP TO VOLUNTEER, GET A YARD SIGN, OR ENDORSE VIRGINIA⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠VISIT THE CAMPAIGN WEBSITE ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tiktok: VirginiaStapleton Bluesky: Demobrats Instagram: VoteVirginiaStapleton Facebook: Elect Virginia Stapletonemail us: [email protected] sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode!

On the pod this week, Representative David Gomberg (Oregon House District 10, Lincoln City), joins Vik and Virginia to tell us all about the time the federal government tried to set up an ICE detention facility on the Oregon Coast AND...how the community fought back and said absolutely not! We also talk about good governance, bipartisanship, the upcoming session, and kite flying! We know you'll love this one! GET LOUD STAY LOUDJOIN VIRGINIA'S CAMPAIGN FOR STATE SENATEVOLUNTEER WITH US (knock doors or phone bank)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠DONATE TO THE CAMPAIGN - EARLY MONEY IS SO POWERFUL⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠SIGN UP TO VOLUNTEER, GET A YARD SIGN, OR ENDORSE VIRGINIA⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠VISIT THE CAMPAIGN WEBSITE ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tiktok: VirginiaStapleton Bluesky: Demobrats Instagram: VoteVirginiaStapleton Facebook: Elect Virginia Stapletonemail us: [email protected] sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode!

Virginia, Vik, and Chris are back in the studio to catch you up on where we've been, some big wins in the legislative session for everyday Oregonians, and a little dialogue about the state of elections headed into this campaign cycle! And we've got a preview of where the show is going this Spring/Summer! GET LOUD STAY LOUDJOIN VIRGINIA'S CAMPAIGN FOR STATE SENATE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠DONATE TO THE CAMPAIGN - EARLY MONEY IS SO POWERFUL⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠SIGN UP TO VOLUNTEER, GET A YARD SIGN, OR ENDORSE VIRGINIA⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠VISIT THE CAMPAIGN WEBSITE ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tiktok: VirginiaStapleton Bluesky: Demobrats Instagram: VoteVirginiaStapleton Facebook: Elect Virginia Stapletonemail us: [email protected] sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode!

This week on the pod Virginia and Chris welcome two guests we've been waiting FOREVER to have on the pod. Speaker of the House Julie Fahey and Majority Leader of the House of Representatives, Ben Bowman, join us the first week of the Legislative Short Session to talk all things transportation, federal response to ICE in our communities, delivering results for working families, driving down the cost of living, federal tax code disconnect, economic development, saving Planned Parenthood, and designing a government that the people truly want and trust. AND SO MUCH MORE. This is a must listen! And yes--we'll be having Representative David Gomberg on the pod soon to share all about his fight against the proposed ICE Facility in Newport. GET LOUD STAY LOUD⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tiktok: VirginiaStapleton Bluesky: Demobrats Instagram: VoteVirginiaStapleton Facebook: Elect Virginia Stapletonemail us: [email protected] sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode!

On this episode, Chris Hoy and Virginia get the opportunity to interview Representative Mark Gamba (District 41- Milwaukie) all about the environment, his experience in local government, and his ideas for the short session ahead. As one of the only renters serving in the legislature, Rep Gamba brings a lived experience to his work, always keeping working families top of mind. Reach Rep Gamba Here GET LOUD STAY LOUDJOIN VIRGINIA'S CAMPAIGN FOR STATE SENATE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠DONATE TO THE CAMPAIGN - EARLY MONEY IS SO POWERFUL⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠SIGN UP TO VOLUNTEER, GET A YARD SIGN, OR ENDORSE VIRGINIA⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠VISIT THE CAMPAIGN WEBSITE ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tiktok: VirginiaStapleton Bluesky: Demobrats Instagram: VoteVirginiaStapleton Facebook: Elect Virginia Stapletonemail us: [email protected] sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode!

Heads up: the transcript for the episode is auto generated. We know it’s spelling Keizer wrong and we’re very sorry! This week, Virginia Stapleton and Chris Hoy welcome Keizer Mayor and longtime pod listener, Cathy Clark, to the pod to talk about all things in Oregon's second youngest city. We talk art, construction, business expansion, sidewalks, and why everything is blue. Enjoy! GET LOUD STAY LOUDJOIN VIRGINIA'S CAMPAIGN FOR STATE SENATE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠DONATE TO THE CAMPAIGN - EARLY MONEY IS SO POWERFUL⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠SIGN UP TO VOLUNTEER, GET A YARD SIGN, OR ENDORSE VIRGINIA⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠VISIT THE CAMPAIGN WEBSITE ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tiktok: VirginiaStapleton Bluesky: Demobrats Instagram: VoteVirginiaStapleton Facebook: Elect Virginia Stapletonemail us: [email protected] sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode!

Happy New Year, Brats! We have a very big year ahead! Listen to what we'll be up to in this episode. We hope you'll join us on for a fun and festive 2026! Comment your goals for 2026!!!! RSVP for Jan 17 Woodburn Town Hall Here GET LOUD STAY LOUDJOIN VIRGINIA'S CAMPAIGN FOR STATE SENATE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠DONATE TO THE CAMPAIGN - EARLY MONEY IS SO POWERFUL⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠SIGN UP TO VOLUNTEER, GET A YARD SIGN, OR ENDORSE VIRGINIA⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠VISIT THE CAMPAIGN WEBSITE ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tiktok: VirginiaStapleton Bluesky: Demobrats Instagram: VoteVirginiaStapleton Facebook: Elect Virginia Stapletonemail us: [email protected] sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode!

Cuando la gente te dice cómo son, créeles a la primera.Imagine coming face to face with ICE agents. Our guest this week did just that. Local influencer and advocate, Erika Villa joins us in the studio to give us the first hand story on the video that sent her viral online last month. Erika is a supporter of all things small business and an activist for the immigrant community here in the Willamette Valley. This episode is about her experience dealing with the new political environment we find ourselves in as ICE has taken over our streets and how you can get involved in advocating for our neighbors. When People Tell You Who They Are, Believe Them The First Time. Shop LaVakerita93 merch M & M Marketplace Toy Drive GET LOUD STAY LOUDJOIN VIRGINIA'S CAMPAIGN FOR STATE SENATE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠DONATE TO THE CAMPAIGN - EARLY MONEY IS SO POWERFUL⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠SIGN UP TO VOLUNTEER, GET A YARD SIGN, OR ENDORSE VIRGINIA⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠VISIT THE CAMPAIGN WEBSITE ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tiktok: VirginiaStapleton // lavakerita93Bluesky: Demobrats Instagram: VoteVirginiaStapleton // lavakerita93Facebook: Elect Virginia Stapletonemail us: [email protected] sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode!

Legislative Troubadour and Healthcare Policy Expert, Representative Rob Nosse, joins us this week to explain all things healthcare in Oregon and beyond. We discuss the impacts of Trumps Big Ugly Bill, the possibility of Oregon developing a Healthcare For All system, and so much more. Learn more about Healthcare For All Oregon here. Subscribe to Rob Nosse's very interesting weekly newsletter here. For reference to Thin Blue Line Flags being removed from police spaces. Happy Holidays y'all! GET LOUD STAY LOUDJOIN VIRGINIA'S CAMPAIGN FOR STATE SENATE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠DONATE TO THE CAMPAIGN - EARLY MONEY IS SO POWERFUL⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠SIGN UP TO VOLUNTEER, GET A YARD SIGN, OR ENDORSE VIRGINIA⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠VISIT THE CAMPAIGN WEBSITE ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tiktok: VirginiaStapleton Bluesky: Demobrats Instagram: VoteVirginiaStapleton // nosserob Facebook: Elect Virginia Stapletonemail us: [email protected] sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode!

*sorry the sound is so quiet at the beginning. It gets better* Live from yet another weekend protest, we are calling on our community to give public comment at Salem City Council Monday Night at 6 PM. The Council will be entertaining a motion to reaffirm our status as a sanctuary city, but honestly, WE NEED MORE. Our community needs more. Here are our ideas: 1. Suspend FLOCK camera surveillance programs. Many cities in and around Salem have done this already. 2. Declare a State of Emergency. Follow Woodburn's lead and open up funding to support Latino owned small businesses impacted by the ICE raids and loss of revenue. Open up funding to support local nonprofits providing emergency aid to families who cannot leave their homes to get groceries, take their children to school, etc. 3. Suspend all impound fees on vehicles impounded due to an ICE raid. 4. Provide a list of resources for the community prominently displayed on the City of Salem website. 5. Reaffirming our status as a sanctuary city is the bare minimum. Email your city councilors hereSupport our work and let's get Virginia elected!

This week on the pod we have Salem's own Carlee Wright, creator of Press Play Salem (the magazine), the city’s go-to guide for arts, entertainment, and culture, where storytelling meets community and curiosity fuels discovery.We discuss all things Salem culture, arts, politics, roller derby, and the hopes we have for the Salem ahead of us. McKay Holiday Market Vendor InfoInfo on donating to Coral House: 2550 Coral Ave NE (it runs parallel with Lancaster). People can drop off foods between 8 AM and 5 PM. Text Five Zero Two-307-1872 prior to drop off to let them know you are dropping off items. GET LOUD STAY LOUDJOIN VIRGINIA'S CAMPAIGN FOR STATE SENATE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠DONATE TO THE CAMPAIGN - EARLY MONEY IS SO POWERFUL⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠SIGN UP TO VOLUNTEER, GET A YARD SIGN, OR ENDORSE VIRGINIA⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠VISIT THE CAMPAIGN WEBSITE ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tiktok: VirginiaStapleton Bluesky: Demobrats Instagram: VoteVirginiaStapleton // repwillychotzen Facebook: Elect Virginia Stapletonemail us: [email protected] sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode!

Hopefully this is the last time we have to talk about this (fingers crossed). In this episode, Brian Hines, an avid writer and community member who filed the official ethics complaint against Mayor Julie Hoy with the Oregon Government Ethics Commission, joins us to discuss his take aways from this six month process. Brian truly exhibited some hero behavior in his efforts to hold the mayor accountable. We also touch on this last Monday's City Council meeting, where Salem Soup Squad turned out in numbers to raise their deep concerns about the mayor's new ballot petition and a gift the council voted to accept from the business community to fund two new police officers. ⁠Read the petition here. ⁠Read Brian's Blog HereStatesman Journal Article OPB Article on new ballot petition JOIN VIRGINIA'S CAMPAIGN FOR STATE SENATE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠DONATE TO THE CAMPAIGN - EARLY MONEY IS SO POWERFUL⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠SIGN UP TO VOLUNTEER, GET A YARD SIGN, OR ENDORSE VIRGINIA⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠VISIT THE CAMPAIGN WEBSITE ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tiktok: VirginiaStapleton Bluesky: Demobrats Instagram: VoteVirginiaStapleton Facebook: Elect Virginia Stapletonemail us: [email protected] sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode!

In case you missed it! Heads up--transcript might be auto detect her language perfectly. JOIN VIRGINIA'S CAMPAIGN FOR STATE SENATE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠DONATE TO THE CAMPAIGN - EARLY MONEY IS SO POWERFUL⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠SIGN UP TO VOLUNTEER, GET A YARD SIGN, OR ENDORSE VIRGINIA⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠VISIT THE CAMPAIGN WEBSITE ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tiktok: VirginiaStapleton Bluesky: Demobrats Instagram: VoteVirginiaStapleton Facebook: Elect Virginia Stapletonemail us: [email protected] sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode!

Just a little yapping about the issues with guests at Virginia's kick off party for State Senate District 11 this last Friday night. Special shoutout to the more than 100 people who attended! JOIN VIRGINIA'S CAMPAIGN FOR STATE SENATE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠DONATE TO THE CAMPAIGN - EARLY MONEY IS SO POWERFUL⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠SIGN UP TO VOLUNTEER, GET A YARD SIGN, OR ENDORSE VIRGINIA⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠VISIT THE CAMPAIGN WEBSITE ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tiktok: VirginiaStapleton Bluesky: Demobrats Instagram: VoteVirginiaStapleton Facebook: Elect Virginia Stapletonemail us: [email protected] sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode!

In this extended bonus we cover last weeks very long City Council meeting as well as a deep dive into the laws around enforcing camping on Oregon's public properties. Our mayor has a long history of speaking ill of the unhoused (see City Council public comments over the last few years) and we are not surprised she has now made herself a chief petitioner on a prospective ballot measure filed last week that seeks to give cities more authority to enforce anti-camping laws. Learn all about it and what you can do if you disagree. Some sources for today's pod: We already have a lot of rules about camping in public places: Current City Code: (May 2023)SRC 95.720 - Prohibits camping on all public property.Current camping prohibition is not practically enforceable.Ordinance 6-20 - restricts sitting and laying on sidewalks during daytime hours. Effectiveness conditioned on a determination that adequate shelter and restrooms have been provided - Not currently enforced.SRC 95.730 - prohibits leaving personal property unattended on a sidewalk for two hours or more. Hasn’t been enforced and may violate ORS 195.500.Revise SRC 95.720 and repeal 95.730 and Ordinance 6-20, and replace with:Camping restrictions in many areas: parks, near vision clearance areas and building entrances, residential zones, near existing shelters, and areas designated by City Manager as no camping.Camps required to maintain a 36-inch ADA pedestrian path.Read the petition here. JOIN VIRGINIA'S CAMPAIGN FOR STATE SENATE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠DONATE TO THE CAMPAIGN - EARLY MONEY IS SO POWERFUL⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠SIGN UP TO VOLUNTEER, GET A YARD SIGN, OR ENDORSE VIRGINIA⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠VISIT THE CAMPAIGN WEBSITE ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tiktok: VirginiaStapleton Bluesky: Demobrats Instagram: VoteVirginiaStapleton Facebook: Elect Virginia Stapletonemail us: [email protected] sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode!

Felix from CouplaGoofs and Holly from Salem Soup Squad join us to share about their work and their new combined endeavor, Circular Salem. Mutual aid might just be the thing that gets us through the next three years. For more info on their work: Circular Salem Library of Things + Kids Clothing Exchange https://circularsalem.myturn.com/library/inventory/browseJ.B. MacKinnon | The Day the World Stops Shopping https://share.google/M1P8mI6HNX73vxvmzSalem Soup Squad [email protected]@salemsoupsquadhttps://signup.com/go/XPsaJfo@[email protected] VIRGINIA'S CAMPAIGN FOR STATE SENATE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠DONATE TO THE CAMPAIGN - EARLY MONEY IS SO POWERFUL⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠SIGN UP TO VOLUNTEER, GET A YARD SIGN, OR ENDORSE VIRGINIA⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠VISIT THE CAMPAIGN WEBSITE ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tiktok: VirginiaStapleton Bluesky: Demobrats Instagram: VoteVirginiaStapleton Facebook: Elect Virginia Stapletonemail us: [email protected] sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode!

In this much anticipated interview, Representative Cyrus Javadi (HD 32 - Tillamook & Clatsop Counties) joins Vik and Virginia on the pod to share all about his journey home to the Democratic Party. We talk healthcare, taxes, climate change, abortion, free speech, Taylor Swift, reality television, RINOs, and the future of the Republican Party now and post-Trump. If you want to learn more about fake pregnancy clinics, there are plenty of resources out there. Here's a few articles we've read recently: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/dec/15/us-anti-abortion-pregnancy-centershttps://auchincloss.house.gov/media/in-the-news/massachusetts-warns-patients-over-unconscionable-crisis-pregnancy-centersRead Rep Javadi's substack here. CC MEDIA'S FALL PLEDGE DRIVE IS HERE. DONATE NOW TO SUPPORT OUR WORK. JOIN VIRGINIA'S CAMPAIGN FOR STATE SENATE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠DONATE TO THE CAMPAIGN - EARLY MONEY IS SO POWERFUL⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠SIGN UP TO VOLUNTEER, GET A YARD SIGN, OR ENDORSE VIRGINIA⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠VISIT THE CAMPAIGN WEBSITE ⁠⁠⁠⁠Tiktok: VirginiaStapleton Bluesky: Demobrats Instagram: VoteVirginiaStapleton Facebook: Elect Virginia Stapletonemail us: [email protected] sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode!

JOIN VIRGINIA'S CAMPAIGN FOR STATE SENATE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠DONATE TO THE CAMPAIGN - EARLY MONEY IS SO POWERFUL⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠SIGN UP TO VOLUNTEER, GET A YARD SIGN, OR ENDORSE VIRGINIA⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠VISIT THE CAMPAIGN WEBSITE ⁠⁠⁠⁠Tiktok: VirginiaStapleton Bluesky: Demobrats Instagram: VoteVirginiaStapleton Facebook: Elect Virginia Stapletonemail us: [email protected] sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode!

A warning, Virginia mentions events of sexual assault and abuse in this pod. Listener discretion is advised. That potato guy Zack Surmacz is back to interview Virginia about HOW, WHAT, and WHY she ever chose to open herself up to public scrutiny and run for office. But PLOT TWIST, if you know Virginia and Vik, you already know this episode gets into the WHO. We promise you will absolutely love this episode and we hope it encourages you to join the bench, hop off the bench, or join us in our work! Play Map By Bruce Snider JOIN VIRGINIA'S CAMPAIGN FOR STATE SENATE⁠⁠⁠⁠DONATE TO THE CAMPAIGN - EARLY MONEY IS SO POWERFUL⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠SIGN UP TO VOLUNTEER, GET A YARD SIGN, OR ENDORSE VIRGINIA⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠VISIT THE CAMPAIGN WEBSITE ⁠⁠⁠Tiktok: VirginiaStapleton Bluesky: Demobrats Instagram: VoteVirginiaStapleton Facebook: Elect Virginia Stapletonemail us: [email protected] sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode!

This podcast was recorded on Thursday, October 2. Some developments may have taken place since then. Chris Hoy joins Virginia to give us all an update on the State of Downtown Meeting that occurred last week which was hosted by the Salem Mainstreet group. Things got a little bizarre at 8 AM. Chris also gives us a follow up on the investigation into the ethics of our Salem Mayor and City Council and asks the question, why didn't the mayor sign a letter alongside the mayors of Oregon's other major cities to oppose the President's deployment of the National Guard in Portland? Learn more: Brian Hines BlogSalem Reporter Article Statesman Journal Article Petition to hold Mayor Julie Hoy accountable The Next Salem City Council meeting is October 13th at 6 PM at the Salem Library Auditorium. Get Loud, Stay Loud

Welp, brats, the 2025 Legislative long session has ended and we're here to report on our first Salem area Representative's performance. Representative Kevin Mannix gets a D+ for effort and lightbulbs this session. Yes, lightbulbs. We didn't get the payment in lieu of taxes we needed or that Capitol District, but we did get some astroturf (a parking lot) in Keizer. Want to make sure we have better elected officials representing us? Join us below. JOIN VIRGINIA'S CAMPAIGN FOR STATE SENATE⁠⁠⁠DONATE TO THE CAMPAIGN - EARLY MONEY IS SO POWERFUL⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠SIGN UP TO VOLUNTEER, GET A YARD SIGN, OR ENDORSE VIRGINIA⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠VISIT THE CAMPAIGN WEBSITE ⁠⁠Tiktok: VirginiaStapleton Bluesky: Demobrats Instagram: VoteVirginiaStapleton Facebook: Elect Virginia Stapletonemail us: [email protected] sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode!

This episode was originally published December 5, 2024. It's also one of Vik's favorites. Trigger warning: Virginia does mention assault, neglect, and abuse in this episode. In this bonus episode, Virginia let's us all in on a bit of her deconstruction, personal healing, and why she advocated so hard for Salem in the process of getting the payroll tax across the finish line at council. Thanks for being here with us! JOIN VIRGINIA'S CAMPAIGN FOR STATE SENATE⁠⁠⁠DONATE TO THE CAMPAIGN - EARLY MONEY IS SO POWERFUL⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠SIGN UP TO VOLUNTEER, GET A YARD SIGN, OR ENDORSE VIRGINIA⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠VISIT THE CAMPAIGN WEBSITE ⁠⁠Tiktok: VirginiaStapletonInstagram: VoteVirginiaStapleton // TellYourFriendsOregonFacebook: Elect Virginia Stapletonemail us: [email protected] Be sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode!

What's happening, brats! This episode is the collaboration you never knew you needed. Jacob from whatshappeningsalem joins us on the pod this week to talk all things we love in Salem, local media, maximalism, grief, and an in depth discussion into understanding that equitable payroll tax (and the often omitted sunset date) the former City Council tried to get across the finish line at the 11th hour to save emergency services in Salem. Remember, it's easy to be against something. We hope you all have the courage to be FOR something. Upcoming Events: Whats Happening Salem's Community Booster Award ShowGrand Theater, October 3, Doors open at 6 PM. Show runs 7:00–8:30 PM. Cocktail attire. Instagram: whatshappeningsalem JOIN VIRGINIA'S CAMPAIGN FOR STATE SENATE⁠⁠DONATE TO THE CAMPAIGN - EARLY MONEY IS SO POWERFUL⁠⁠⁠⁠SIGN UP TO VOLUNTEER, GET A YARD SIGN, OR ENDORSE VIRGINIA⁠⁠⁠VISIT THE CAMPAIGN WEBSITE ⁠Tiktok: VirginiaStapleton Bluesky: Demobrats Instagram: VoteVirginiaStapleton Facebook: Elect Virginia Stapletonemail us: [email protected] sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode!

This week Representative Sarah Finger McDonald joins us all the way from Corvallis to talk about how she got her start in politics--and trust us--its not what you think. We know you'll come to love her as much as we do! Now, onto actionable items: TAKE THE OPPOSITION RESEARCH SURVEY AND LET THEM KNOW YOU VALUE CHERRIOTS AND PUBLIC TRANSITSIGN UP FOR WORKING FAMILIES PARTY CAMPAIGN SCHOOLWeekend FREE Events: Friday Sept 19, Stefani Gallery Downtown Salem, 5 PM, Jesus Escobar Art ShowSaturday September 20, PRIDE in the Park, 11 AM - 6 PM, Riverfront ParkSunday September 21, LUS Urban Arts Festival, 3-8 PM, Riverfront Park JOIN VIRGINIA'S CAMPAIGN FOR STATE SENATE⁠DONATE TO THE CAMPAIGN - EARLY MONEY IS SO POWERFUL⁠⁠SIGN UP TO VOLUNTEER, GET A YARD SIGN, OR ENDORSE VIRGINIA⁠VISIT THE CAMPAIGN WEBSITE Tiktok: VirginiaStapleton Bluesky: Demobrats Instagram: VoteVirginiaStapleton Facebook: Elect Virginia Stapletonemail us: [email protected] sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode!

The rumors are true! Virginia is running for Senate District 11 (Salem, Keizer, Woodburn, Gervais). Hear a little bit about her campaign priorities and how to get involved. We need your help to make this campaign a success! We believe in the strength of our community. We know that together, we can build a future of opportunity for all of us. Para todos. JOIN THE CAMPAIGN DONATE TO THE CAMPAIGN - EARLY MONEY IS SO POWERFULSIGN UP TO VOLUNTEER, GET A YARD SIGN, OR ENDORSE VIRGINIATiktok: VirginiaStapleton Bluesky: Demobrats Instagram: VoteVirginiaStapleton Facebook: Elect Virginia Stapletonemail us: [email protected] sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode!

Representative Lesly Muñoz is back to speak with us about all the impacts on residents in her district from federal immigration policies as well as the Marion County Commissioners lawsuit concerning Oregon's sanctuary law. We also discuss upcoming 2026 elections, bikes, and more. You don't want to miss this one! To read Representative Javadi's Substack, CLICK HEREGet out there and stay loud. If you have questions, topics you'd love discussed, or want to advertise on the pod, contact us:BUY MERCH: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://demobrats.printify.me/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tiktok: VirginiaStapleton / TellYourFriendsVBluesky: Demobrats Instagram:VoteVirginiaStapleton // TellyourfriendsoregonFacebook: Elect Virginia Stapletonemail us: [email protected] us Mondays at 8 AM for Willamette Wake-Up on KMUZ Radio! 100.7 FM / 88.5 FMStream demobrats on Youtube on the CC Media ChannelBe sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode!

We've missed y'all! 👯 We're back and we're catching you up on all the things. In our lives, pop culture, Salem happenings, and what's to come this month. And we're serious about that free leaf haul and a downtown grocery store. Please contact your city councilors here. Las Jarochitas - 3282 Silverton Rd NELocals Donuts - Check instagram for locations Get out there and stay loud. If you have questions, topics you'd love discussed, or want to advertise on the pod, contact us:BUY MERCH: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://demobrats.printify.me/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tiktok: VirginiaStapleton / TellYourFriendsVBluesky: Demobrats Instagram:VoteVirginiaStapleton // TellyourfriendsoregonFacebook: Elect Virginia Stapletonemail us: [email protected] us Mondays at 8 AM for Willamette Wake-Up on KMUZ Radio! 100.7 FM / 88.5 FMStream demobrats on Youtube on the CC Media ChannelBe sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode!

More than a handshake was offered when a legal agreement was made by multiple parties to expand transit service in Salem seven years ago--or so we thought. Sara Duncan and Maria Hinojos Pressey join us from Salem's Mass Transit District Board of Directors (Cherriots) to explain what all the brouhaha in the news was about our local business community making an investment in our transit system. Transportation is freedom and Salem's residents are demanding an expanded service network. If we want to have the thriving, bustling city we all dream of, then yes, even the business community is going to have to make the same kind of financial investments homeowners have made (But hey...that' just our opinion). Read the Salem Reporter's coverage of this here. Get out there and stay loud. If you have questions, topics you'd love discussed, or want to advertise on the pod, contact us:BUY MERCH: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://demobrats.printify.me/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tiktok: VirginiaStapleton / TellYourFriendsVBluesky: Demobrats Instagram:VoteVirginiaStapleton // TellyourfriendsoregonFacebook: Elect Virginia Stapletonemail us: [email protected] us Mondays at 8 AM for Willamette Wake-Up on KMUZ Radio! 100.7 FM / 88.5 FMStream demobrats on Youtube on the CC Media ChannelBe sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode!

Virginia and Vik are on a break for the month, but sometimes the show must go on. On this very special episode, Chris Hoy (your favorite mayor ever) joins Jimmy Jones, Executive Director of Mid-Willamette Valley Community Action to discuss all the latest happenings around our unhoused crisis locally and beyond. One thing about Jimmy is he knows his stuff! Jimmy knows ALLLLLL about the homeless crisis nationwide and how we got here. And Jimmy doesn't like the language our mayor, city council, commissioners, and business leaders are using to talk about our unhoused neighbors. Truly, nobody here at Demobrats likes the way our neighbors are being talked about or treated. Furthermore, being homeless is not a crime and locking people up or making people go away for being homeless is not going to solve the very critical crisis our society is facing. We have before us a very moral and ethical dilemma and we need to do the right and humane thing. Homelessness is still everyones problem to solve. We think we should trust the data and use a housing-first model which CLEARLY works. Tell the Salem City Council Housing First Works. We cannot simply LOVE PEOPLE UP....whatever that means. Anyway, enjoy the episode. References / Continuing Education: Cicero Institute PropagandaNPR Feature about Cisero Institute: Amid record homelessness, a Texas think tank tries to upend how states tackle itCicero Institute: The Shadow Lobby Fueling Mass Incarceration of Homeless PeopleThe History of Oregon Poor Farms OPB DocumentaryMayor Julie Hoy Wants More Police Downtown After Stabbing at Union Gospel Mission Homeless advocates say mayor’s rhetoric during council meeting was “inflammatory”Oregon’s new statewide shelter system has 4,800 beds; here’s a mapGet out there and stay loud. If you have questions, topics you'd love discussed, or want to advertise on the pod, contact us:BUY MERCH: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://demobrats.printify.me/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tiktok: VirginiaStapleton / TellYourFriendsVBluesky: Demobrats Instagram:VoteVirginiaStapleton // TellyourfriendsoregonFacebook: Elect Virginia Stapletonemail us: [email protected] us Mondays at 8 AM for Willamette Wake-Up on KMUZ Radio! 100.7 FM / 88.5 FMStream demobrats on Youtube on the CC Media ChannelBe sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode!

This podcast was recorded July 11. Some details may have changed since. A special legislative session has been scheduled for August 29th. In this very special episode, Virginia gives us the rundown on the history of ODOT. If you know V, you know this is her favorite subject. But first, we give you a little update on the Keizer never ending saga. We also help you understand the transportation package as it last existed in the long legislative session. We look forward to the legislature getting back to work to pass a transportation package. The governor released her transportation package July 23rd. Read more about it here: https://oregoncapitalchronicle.com/2025/07/23/koteks-transportation-plan-6-cent-gas-tax-increase-registration-fee-hikes-and-doubled-transit-tax/Get out there and stay loud. If you have questions, topics you'd love discussed, or want to advertise on the pod, contact us:BUY MERCH: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://demobrats.printify.me/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tiktok: VirginiaStapleton / TellYourFriendsVBluesky: Demobrats Instagram:VoteVirginiaStapleton // TellyourfriendsoregonFacebook: Elect Virginia Stapletonemail us: [email protected] us Mondays at 8 AM for Willamette Wake-Up on KMUZ Radio! 100.7 FM / 88.5 FMStream demobrats on Youtube on the CC Media ChannelBe sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode!

This week on the pod, State Representative for HD 22 (Woodburn) and Labor Champion, Lesly Muñoz joins us to talk about her run for office (it was a close one) and her first session as a State Representative. Lesly is a fighter, a local legend, and one of our favorite humans. We are so excited to share her with all of you! Get out there and stay loud. If you have questions, topics you'd love discussed, or want to advertise on the pod, contact us:BUY MERCH: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://demobrats.printify.me/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tiktok: VirginiaStapleton / TellYourFriendsVBluesky: Demobrats Instagram:VoteVirginiaStapleton // TellyourfriendsoregonFacebook: Elect Virginia Stapletonemail us: [email protected] us Mondays at 8 AM for Willamette Wake-Up on KMUZ Radio! 100.7 FM / 88.5 FMStream demobrats on Youtube on the CC Media ChannelBe sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode!

*Note: The Christmas Tree Bill HB 5006 has not yet been signed into law by the governor.* The Keizer Times has reported the funding in the Christmas Tree bill is for infrastructure at the fields, not the fields itself. Regardless...we need money for emergency services. We've been a bit behind on the local news, but we're here to catch you up. What's been happening in Keizer and Salem and why is it problematic as ever?! Enjoy this update on Christmas Tree Bill gifts, Proclamations, City Council Norms, and the new gatekeeper to downtown Salem. Oh, and we have included a fantastic review of the pod just for kicks and giggles. ICE has been spotted in Salem. Salem and Oregon remain a sanctuary city and state. We have learned since this recording that the detentions were targeted incidents. Download the ICEBlock app free to report any sightings of ICE you encounter in our community. Get out there and stay loud. If you have questions, topics you'd love discussed, or want to advertise on the pod, contact us:BUY MERCH: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://demobrats.printify.me/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tiktok: VirginiaStapleton / TellYourFriendsVBluesky: Demobrats Instagram:VoteVirginiaStapleton // TellyourfriendsoregonFacebook: Elect Virginia Stapletonemail us: [email protected] us Mondays at 8 AM for Willamette Wake-Up on KMUZ Radio! 100.7 FM / 88.5 FMStream demobrats on Youtube on the CC Media ChannelBe sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode!

I don't know what you were doing at 8, but it probably wasn't organizing to save critical city services. This week we have Salem's favorite tiny community organizer, Zoey, with us on the pod to talk about her experience working tirelessly to get the most recent Livability Levy across the finish line. We can't wait to see what Zoey does next in local politics, but no doubt, she will be in the room where it happens. Zoey for Mayor! 💚🩷💚Get out there and stay loud. If you have questions, topics you'd love discussed, or want to advertise on the pod, contact us:BUY MERCH: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://demobrats.printify.me/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tiktok: VirginiaStapleton / TellYourFriendsVBluesky: Demobrats Instagram:VoteVirginiaStapleton // TellyourfriendsoregonFacebook: Elect Virginia Stapletonemail us: [email protected] us Mondays at 8 AM for Willamette Wake-Up on KMUZ Radio! 100.7 FM / 88.5 FMStream demobrats on Youtube on the CC Media ChannelBe sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode!

*a note, the flag Councilor Day mentioned was a Confederate flag. Sorry our audio dropped out*Hey Brat Pack! In this bonus episode, we can't wait to share the recent round up and long term history of political antics in Keizer. From the recent citing of a current councilor, to the cancellation of the community-led Pride event, to the problematic history of other local officials, it's a lot. We'd say enjoy...but none of us are enjoying this. Sources: https://www.keizertimes.com/2024/03/14/ethics-investigation-into-juran-underway/https://leftcoastrightwatch.org/articles/keizer-or-pride-fair-canceled-after-doxxing-harassment-citys-support-of-far-right/https://www.salemreporter.com/2021/05/17/internal-investigation-keizer-city-manager-told-others-he-was-breaking-policy-on-firearms/https://www.statesmanjournal.com/story/news/politics/2021/03/13/keizer-investigate-after-city-manager-discharges-gun-city-hall-office/4687526001/https://www.keizertimes.com/2025/05/01/flareup-at-council-reveals-continuing-strains-between-mayor-councilor/ https://www.keizertimes.com/2025/04/16/keizer-councilors-oust-diversity-panel-members/https://www.oregonlive.com/politics/2022/01/far-right-reawaken-america-tour-canceled-in-redmond-moved-to-salem.htmlGet out there and stay loud. If you have questions, topics you'd love discussed, or want to advertise on the pod, contact us:BUY MERCH: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://demobrats.printify.me/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tiktok: VirginiaStapleton Bluesky: Demobrats Instagram:VoteVirginiaStapleton Facebook: Elect Virginia Stapletonemail us: [email protected] us Mondays at 8 AM for Willamette Wake-Up on KMUZ Radio! 100.7 FM / 88.5 FMStream demobrats on Youtube on the CC Media ChannelBe sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode!

In this brat pack bonus we just want to ask the really hard questions to our billionaire counterparts.

Vik is back y'all! We know, you forgot she existed...but she's here. And we're joined by Zack Surmacz today to talk about rising up the next generation of Democrats to lead the party across the country! What is it going to take to win young voters to our side and how do we share our values through our messaging and policy creation? We also tackle other important conundrums like are you for or against using a top sheet and do you embrace watching videos in 2x speed? Season 2 of demobrats will make your dreams come true. Stay brat. Get out there and stay loud. If you have questions, topics you'd love discussed, or want to advertise on the pod, contact us:BUY MERCH: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://demobrats.printify.me/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tiktok: VirginiaStapleton Bluesky: Demobrats Instagram:VoteVirginiaStapleton // TellyourfriendsoregonFacebook: Elect Virginia Stapletonemail us: [email protected] us Mondays at 8 AM for Willamette Wake-Up on KMUZ Radio! 100.7 FM / 88.5 FMStream demobrats on Youtube on the CC Media ChannelBe sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode!

Today our new friends Susan and Brian join us to discuss why it's so hard to have public art happen in Salem (and how Brian might be fixing this problem all by himself). Paint by Bureaucratic Numbers with us. And don't forget to check out Make Music Day this weekend! (AND YES--we're VERY sorry we used AI to make the theme song. It was before we knew how much water it wasted!) Salem's public art collection: https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/e086aebd172149cfb38c4a3d1e69d796 Get out there and stay loud. If you have questions, topics you'd love discussed, or want to advertise on the pod, contact us:BUY MERCH: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://demobrats.printify.me/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tiktok: VirginiaStapleton Bluesky: Demobrats Instagram:VoteVirginiaStapleton Facebook: Elect Virginia Stapletonemail us: [email protected] us Mondays at 8 AM for Willamette Wake-Up on KMUZ Radio! 100.7 FM / 88.5 FMStream demobrats on Youtube on the CC Media ChannelBe sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode!

This bonus episode is available for free, because you should all know what's up. The Mayor and the entire Salem City Council is being investigated by the Ethics Commission over possibly unethical communications. Our jaws stayed in place. Something felt off to us about this situation from the jump and thanks to the complaints of more than one community member, the Ethics Commission has decided to run a full investigation. Our mayor has a troubling track record. Three ethics issues in as many years and spending nearly $300,000 to call yourself a volunteer is wild work. If it walks like a duck and it talks like a duck...it's probably a politician. And if you need something to noodle on....why is Councilor Vanessa Nordyke suddenly refusing to be a part of any budget votes? We think Ward 7 deserves to have a voice in budget conversations and decisions. Sources: Ethics Issue 1: https://www.salemreporter.com/2024/04/11/julie-hoys-efforts-to-promote-tire-business-prompted-city-ethics-warning/ Ethics Issue 2: https://www.opb.org/article/2024/11/18/salem-city-council-censures-two-members-including-mayor-elect-julie-hoy/Ethics Issue 3: https://www.salemreporter.com/2025/06/13/ethics-commission-votes-to-investigate-salem-mayor-councilors-over-possibly-unethical-communications/Julie Hoy's Secretary of State Page: https://secure.sos.state.or.us/orestar/cneSearch.do?cneSearchButtonName=search&cneSearchFilerCommitteeRsn=60338&cneSearchFilerCommitteeTxt=&cneSearchFilerCommitteeTxtSearchType=C&cneSearchTranStartDate=&cneSearchTranEndDate=&cneSearchTranType=&cneSearchTranAmountFrom=&cneSearchTranAmountTo=&cneSearchContributorTxt=&cneSearchContributorTxtSearchType=C&cneSearchContributorType=&search=Search&OWASP_CSRFTOKEN=AOGP-Z238-KUFV-MWS1-UZ8T-H8FR-EVVP-90A1Get out there and stay loud. If you have questions, topics you'd love discussed, or want to advertise on the pod, contact us:BUY MERCH: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://demobrats.printify.me/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tiktok: VirginiaStapleton Bluesky: Demobrats Instagram:VoteVirginiaStapleton Facebook: Elect Virginia Stapletonemail us: [email protected] us Mondays at 8 AM for Willamette Wake-Up on KMUZ Radio! 100.7 FM / 88.5 FMStream demobrats on Youtube on the CC Media ChannelBe sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode!

Morgan and Felix from CouplaGoofs join Virginia this week to discuss making content full time, being new parents (not to a Vampire's baby), creating authentic community, living fully as your best self, and the absolute CHAOS that erupted at Salem City Council on Monday night concerning the Avelo Airlines contract and the use of cell phones during City Council meetings. We promise you will LAUGH....like a lot. This Saturday: No Kings Rally, Capitol Mall, 12-3 PM Get out there and stay loud. If you have questions, topics you'd love discussed, or want to advertise on the pod, contact us:BUY MERCH: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://demobrats.printify.me/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tiktok: VirginiaStapleton // CouplagoofsBluesky: Demobrats // CouplagoofsInstagram:VoteVirginiaStapleton // Couplagoofs Facebook: Elect Virginia Stapletonemail us: [email protected] us Mondays at 8 AM for Willamette Wake-Up on KMUZ Radio! 100.7 FM / 88.5 FMStream demobrats on Youtube on the CC Media ChannelBe sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode!

Hey Brat Pack! Enjoy this bonus episode from Virginia giving you a life update on some hard stuff she's dealing with. Don't forget: we can do hard things. And you don't have to pull yourselves up by your bootstraps every time. That's what brats are for.

It may be advisable at this point for the far right to stop trying to buy local elections in Oregon. The voters aren't buying it and neither are we. Brittney Mast from MomsForOregon joins Jane from GirlyPopPolitics to discuss school board elections across the state, results, wins, losses, and everything in between. The girlies yap about the political podcasts the GOP is investing in, in Oregon to preach to...tens of listeners in the already present choir. If this is their long game, we'll keep doing what we do best--winning. Organized people beat organized money every time. Stay brat. Get out there and stay loud. If you have questions, topics you'd love discussed, or want to advertise on the pod, contact us:BUY MERCH: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://demobrats.printify.me/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tiktok: VirginiaStapleton Bluesky: Demobrats Instagram:VoteVirginiaStapleton // MomsForOregon // GirlyPopPolitics Facebook: Elect Virginia Stapletonemail us: [email protected] us Mondays at 8 AM for Willamette Wake-Up on KMUZ Radio! 100.7 FM / 88.5 FMStream demobrats on Youtube on the CC Media ChannelBe sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode!

Organized people beat organized money EVERY TIME. And we love watching rich special interest groups waste money. $34K was spent by realtors and developers across Oregon to try to buy the Ward 6 City Council Seat. It didn't work. Ward 6 showed up to vote for their own interests and for the representation they want and need in Council Chambers. But we have to ask; why would realtors be so interested in clinching the swing vote on City Council? Elections have consequences and for now, the agenda of the realtors is at bay. The same goes for the Salem Keizer School Board. The progressive slate won the day and our children will continue to be well represented on the board. And both the Livability Levy and the Chemeketa Levy passed. And while the livability levy doesn't do everything we need it to, it's a nice bandaid for now. However, we will be looking at $8 million in cuts next year and there's no guarantee promises will be kept. We're extra proud of you this week, Salem. Let's do it again next year, huh? Get out there and stay loud. If you have questions, topics you'd love discussed, or want to advertise on the pod, contact us:BUY MERCH: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://demobrats.printify.me/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tiktok: VirginiaStapleton Bluesky: Demobrats Instagram:VoteVirginiaStapleton Facebook: Elect Virginia Stapletonemail us: [email protected] us Mondays at 8 AM for Willamette Wake-Up on KMUZ Radio! 100.7 FM / 88.5 FMStream demobrats on Youtube on the CC Media ChannelBe sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode!

This week on the pod, Beth Schmidt from every Why did the Chicken Cross the Road? joke and Safe Routes to Schools joins us to talk about all things bicycle and pedestrian safety. Salem is one of the last cities to get this critical program (nobody is surprised we are last). We're super grateful to have Beth making this program happen. It will surely save lives, one bike bus and walk to school at a time. Obviously if Beth had a walk on song, it would be The Chicken Dance. Get out there and stay loud. If you have questions, topics you'd love discussed, or want to advertise on the pod, contact us:BUY MERCH: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://demobrats.printify.me/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tiktok: VirginiaStapleton Bluesky: Demobrats Instagram:VoteVirginiaStapleton Facebook: Elect Virginia Stapletonemail us: [email protected] us Mondays at 8 AM for Willamette Wake-Up on KMUZ Radio! 100.7 FM / 88.5 FMStream demobrats on Youtube on the CC Media ChannelBe sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode!

This week our friend Sara Duncan helps you get to know the bike-powered brains behind Salem Bike Vision: Dylan, Ian, and Virginia, a trio of transportation good troublemakers on a mission to make Salem more two-wheeled. Dylan brings the science, policy, and smooth Smithsonian swagger; Ian’s got more board appointments than a lumber yard; and Virginia keeps the wheels turning with political savvy and a shoulder sling for a newly broken collarbone. Tune in as we discuss climate action, community organizing, near-death experiences, and why biking in Salem is and can be for everyone. 🌸🚲👓 Get out there and stay loud. If you have questions, topics you'd love discussed, or want to advertise on the pod, contact us:⁠http://www.salembikevision.org ⁠BUY MERCH: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://demobrats.printify.me/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tiktok: VirginiaStapleton Bluesky: Demobrats Instagram:VoteVirginiaStapleton Facebook: Elect Virginia Stapletonemail us: [email protected] us Mondays at 8 AM for Willamette Wake-Up on KMUZ Radio! 100.7 FM / 88.5 FMStream demobrats on Youtube on the CC Media ChannelBe sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode!

What happens when the co-founder of Salem Bike Vision is nearly hit by an SUV in the very family-friendly buffered bike lane she worked to get installed? Turns out she breaks her collarbone and gets a concussion. We did the math and she was 68.2 milliseconds from a very different ending. It is very likely that the BUFFERED aspect of the bike lane saved her life. Call it crazy timing, but we already had Salem Bike Vision scheduled to come on the pod this week and we're looking forward to that conversation, more conversations about how to improve the bike infrastructure in Salem, and a smooth healing journey for Virginia in the months ahead. Get out there and stay loud. If you have questions, topics you'd love discussed, or want to advertise on the pod, contact us:http://www.salembikevision.org BUY MERCH: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://demobrats.printify.me/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tiktok: VirginiaStapleton Bluesky: Demobrats Instagram:VoteVirginiaStapleton Facebook: Elect Virginia Stapletonemail us: [email protected] us Mondays at 8 AM for Willamette Wake-Up on KMUZ Radio! 100.7 FM / 88.5 FMStream demobrats on Youtube on the CC Media ChannelBe sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode!

The Good Doctor Trevor Phillips is with us today alongside Former Mayor that got away Chris Hoy and Virginia. Trevor is here to talk to us about all things medicine, federal cuts, healthcare for all, and getting your flu shot. And don't worry, we spend some time going down memory lane of our work on city council together and some of the nonsense that took place. You don't want to miss it. Besides...Trevor is a DELIGHT and even better when he gets a little angry. Enjoy the show. And don't forget to get your vaccines, people! Get out there and stay loud. If you have questions, topics you'd love discussed, or want to advertise on the pod, contact us:Mai Vang Website: https://www.electmaivang.com/Ad paid for by Friends of Mai Vang PAC ID 24070BUY MERCH: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://demobrats.printify.me/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tiktok: VirginiaStapleton Bluesky: Demobrats Instagram:VoteVirginiaStapleton Facebook: Elect Virginia Stapletonemail us: [email protected] us Mondays at 8 AM for Willamette Wake-Up on KMUZ Radio! 100.7 FM / 88.5 FMStream demobrats on Youtube on the CC Media ChannelBe sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode!

Hey Brats! In this bonus episode, Chris Hoy and Trevor Phillips join Virginia for a little City Council Alumni Reunion to discuss sexism and politics and public perception. The mayor took a solid 20 seconds on Monday night to vote on a motion brought forward. She appeared to be looking at her phone the entire time prior. Whose council was she seeking before placing her vote? Did she know she'd be called last in the roll to vote? And was she surprised her usual allies on council had not voted no? We'll probably never know how or why she was strong armed into a yes vote, but we remain unsurprised. Catch up with Trevor, Chris and Virginia in this bonus--a full episode with Chris and Trevor will drop next week as well. Get out there and stay loud. If you have questions, topics you'd love discussed, or want to advertise on the pod, contact us:BUY MERCH: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://demobrats.printify.me/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tiktok: VirginiaStapleton Bluesky: Demobrats Instagram:VoteVirginiaStapleton Facebook: Elect Virginia Stapletonemail us: [email protected] us Mondays at 8 AM for Willamette Wake-Up on KMUZ Radio! 100.7 FM / 88.5 FMStream demobrats on Youtube on the CC Media ChannelBe sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode!

Trump ended the refugee resettlement programs that so many have come to rely on seeking safety and a new life in a new land. Trivina and Luke from Salem For Refugees join us this week to talk about the effort to continue to provide services for families resettling into Salem and Corvallis, despite the federal funding coming to an abrupt end. Listen and learn about the immigrant resettlement experience, which can often be a journey that lasts anywhere from 2-20+ years. We believe wholeheartedly that Salem For Refugees is one of the organizations that makes Salem home for so many neighbors, both new and old. Get out there and stay loud. If you have questions, topics you'd love discussed, or want to advertise on the pod, contact us:BUY MERCH: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://demobrats.printify.me/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tiktok: VirginiaStapleton // girlypoppoliticsBluesky: Demobrats Instagram:VoteVirginiaStapleton Facebook: Elect Virginia Stapletonemail us: [email protected]: https://www.salemforrefugees.org/ Join us Mondays at 8 AM for Willamette Wake-Up on KMUZ Radio! 100.7 FM / 88.5 FMStream demobrats on Youtube on the CC Media ChannelBe sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode!