Southern Oregon Legislative Candidate Launches Unique Write-In Campaign

Kicking off New Year with New Approach to Win Primary Race

Cave Junction—January 6,2020 —“I am prepared to step into the political arena and do whatever it takes to win this primary as a write-in candidate because I care deeply about the people of Josephine county,” said Michelle Binker (R-Cave Junction). Binker announced her candidacy in November for District 3 which includes Grants Pass, Cave Junction, Merlin, Williams, Wilderville, and the “heart” of rural Josephine county.

State law (ORS 249.046) requires candidates to be a member of a major political party for six months prior to the deadline for filing to run for office. That allows candidates to have their names on the May Primary Election ballot. The cut-off to make the six-month deadline would have been September 12^th. 

“When I changed my registration to Republican last fall, I did so because it was the right thing for me and my conservative values. Although I hadn’t originally intended to pursue the House District 3 seat, I was encouraged by numerous community leaders to become their candidate,” noted Binker. However, Binker, a former Libertarian, changed party affiliation party on September 25, 2019 and missed the deadline by 13 days. In order to win the Republican party’s nomination in May 2020, she is asking supporters to write her name on the ballot. 

Binker has been working hard building her campaign and generating support in the community. “Michelle has spent six-plus years of her life and career serving the constituents of House District 3 as Chief of Staff to two legislators,” said former republican State Representative Wally Hicks. “She isn’t shy about holding bureaucrats accountable to the people.” Hicks served two terms in the house as the representative for District 3. Hicks is now the Josephine County Legal Counsel. Representative Carl Wilson (R-Grants Pass) was elected to District 3 after Hicks and served as the House Republican Leader last legislative session. Wilson is not running for another term.

“For over 20 years, Michelle Binker has had her pulse on the needs of Josephine County,” said Josephine County Commissioner Lily Morgan. “She knows how to navigate the state system but has not lost the rural connections of her home. Michelle Binker is the best candidate for House District #3.”

Morgan went on to explain, “Michelle has served our community well volunteering with private school boards, service organizations, and local advisory committees.  She has been an essential partner working with state agencies addressing local needs related to land use, natural resources, and other regulatory issues.”

Binker has been working as Chief of Staff for Representative Carl Wilson the past five years and prior to Wilson, she served in the same position for former representative Hicks. “Working alongside true statesmen like Reps Wilson and Hicks taught me many valuable lessons about leadership,” said Binker. “One of them is that sometimes you need to stand up for what you believe in; I believe in this district and I believe this race is winnable.” 

Binker continued, “In the words of a great Republican President, Teddy Roosevelt, nearly 110 years ago, it’s important to dare greatly”: 

          “The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood… who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly.” Citizenship in a Republic Speech, Paris, April 
             23, 1910. 

To learn more about Michelle Binker’s background in the community and the legislature check out her website: michellebinker.com