I’m one of those people who’s always on the hunt for good news. This past year, it’s felt hard to even glance at the headlines, as our community struggles in ways I never could’ve imagined.
- In October, I witnessed four masked, armed men drag a woman out of her car and into their SUV.
- In November, I bought groceries for a coworker after she broke down crying at work about her SNAP benefits being frozen with two young kids at home.
- And in December, I had to think seriously about whether I could afford to stay on health insurance after my premiums doubled.
But I didn’t stop searching for good news, and I’m glad I didn’t, because in January, I found Tammy Carpenter.
Tammy is a doctor, a mother, and a Democratic candidate for Oregon House of Representatives District 27. She’s lived in Oregon for more than 20 years and serves on the Beaverton School Board. She wants to make life better for regular, working people. She is clear and direct about her vision in office: she will reduce tax breaks for corporations and the ultra-wealthy so Oregon can fund social programs that benefit everyone.
I’m not on SNAP, but I’ve seen how quickly life falls apart when people who need food assistance can’t get it. I’m not on OHP, but I know now how much federal funding for OHP was stabilizing healthcare costs for everyone. I’m not an immigrant (at least not for a couple generations back), but I won’t accept armed ICE gangs sweeping through my neighborhood for any reason…