August 29, 2024
The Oregonian

As we slide into another election season, it’s rather mind-numbing to witness the very predictable crop of candidates listing their dubious accomplishments and emitting canned promises. Our state faces challenges that are not being addressed by current elected leaders. Homelessness has been increasing for many years. Crime has spiked upward in recent years. Casualties from drug abuse – particularly fentanyl – have risen exponentially compared to pre-pandemic years.

I am a former longtime member of the Democratic Party, now registered as nonaffiliated. As I felt the steep decline in Oregon’s livability, I realized it was time for a change. I’m not alone: Nonaffiliated voters are now the single largest voting bloc in our state.

We have an opportunity this year to elect a new attorney general for Oregon and find a better path for our state. Will Lathrop, a career public servant, has deep experience representing the unheard and unseen. As a deputy district attorney in Yamhill and Marion counties, he prosecuted child sex abuse cases. More recently, he led a team of experts prosecuting wartime abuses, human trafficking and sex trafficking in Africa.

Genuine compassion and true accomplishment – a rare combination in today’s politics. We have the opportunity this election cycle to bring in Lathrop’s singular leadership as Oregon’s next chief law enforcement officer.

I hope that a fair majority of you, regardless of your political affiliation – nonaffiliated, Independent, Republican and even Democrat – can see the candidate through the tiresome political noise. Will Lathrop is a great step toward a better Oregon.

Carl Jahn
Hillsboro