Oregon State Representative Dwayne Yunker has built a public social media presence around the authority, visibility and influence of elected office. Under the name “Rep. Dwayne Yunker,” he has announced state funding, discussed legislation, promoted government projects, commented on public policy and presented himself as the voice of House District 3 in Salem. He has also invited the public to react to questions involving taxes, elections, health care, transportation and local government.
That record makes the reported blocking of constituents and a local political organization more than an ordinary Facebook disagreement. It raises a serious question about whether an elected representative is using the reach of public office to invite favorable participation while shutting the door on criticism.
The Josephine County Democratic Party has accused Yunker of blocking its organizational Facebook account and the personal account of Communications Chair Erin Cook after the organization challenged material published on his page. Cook alleges that other constituents have also been blocked after disputing statements they believed were inaccurate, discriminatory or inflammatory…