October 8, 2024
The New Era

Dear Editor,

I’m writing to support Will Lathrop as our next Attorney General here in Oregon. I don’t claim to know everything, but I do know when someone’s got the right stuff to tackle tough times—and boy, are we in some these days. Public safety’s in a pickle, our beautiful state’s environment needs guarding, and justice, well, it ought to be served for everyone, not just a few. Will Lathrop’s proven to me that he’s the guy who can get that job done.

Will’s no spring chicken when it comes to law, either. He’s been around the block as a prosecutor, and he’s worked in both the private and public sectors, which means he’s got a head full of wisdom on both sides of the fence. He’s even spent time overseas chasing down war criminals, bringing justice to folks who had it a lot rougher than we do. That kind of work doesn’t just take brains—it takes heart, and Will’s got plenty of both. The man’s seen more courtrooms than most of us have seen barns, and he’s come out of them all fighting for fairness.

Will’s not just content with what he’s done abroad, either. I’m delighted that he’s set his sights on making things better right here in Oregon. Anybody with their eyes open can see that Oregon needs a justice system that actually pursues drug traffickers and those who are engaged in human trafficking. He’s got plans for tackling domestic violence, protecting consumers, and fighting for civil rights. And this is obviously not just campaign rhetoric—he’s already proven that he wants to make sure the scales of justice are balanced for everyone. He’s talking about fixing the criminal justice system so it’s fair, getting folks the mental health help they need, and making sure people don’t just end up right back in trouble once they’re out.

One of the biggest headaches we’re facing is keeping folks safe while ensuring the justice system is working for everyone. Some folks think it’s one or the other, but Will knows better. He’s smart enough to back law enforcement while pushing for changes that’ll make things fairer. He gets that punishing folks isn’t always enough—you gotta tackle the problems that land them in trouble in the first place, like poverty, addiction, and mental illness.

So, if you ask me, I think Will Lathrop’s got what it takes. He’s not just a sharp lawyer, he’s a compassionate man who knows justice is about more than just winning a case. His work with the International Justice Missions proves that. It’s about making sure every Oregonian gets a fair shake. That’s why I’m standing behind him, and I think you should, too. We could sure use his kind of leadership right about now.

Jim Corley
Sweet Home