Feature
2023 Open for Business Election Guide Launch
article by Samantha Roberts | Director of Marketing and Communications, Eugene Chamber of Commerce
National elections may receive more attention in the media, but local elections play a significant role in the day to day lives of individuals and businesses alike. Local elections are a major part of creating a healthy economy.
After positive feedback from members and support from our Board of Directors on last year’s election guide, the Eugene Chamber decided again to use a rating system to engage with local candidates for elected office. This system helps us showcase each candidate’s alignment with Chamber priorities as identified by members in our latest member survey. This strategy includes a candidate questionnaire for all candidates (highlighted in this guide) and candidate interviews and ratings for candidates in select contested races.
While no formal endorsements are issued through this process, we hope this provides our community greater clarity, while also providing candidates opportunity for engagement and education.
The 2023 EACC Special Election Guide highlights candidates in races for:
- Eugene City Council Ward 7
- Lane Community College Board
- 4J School Board
- Bethel School Board
This guide provides candidate responses to a 2023 candidate questionnaire as well as scores for candidate interviews. While the questionnaire answers offer candidates a space to submit responses based on their values and campaign, the interviews challenge candidates to respond to a different set of questions with a panel of Chamber representatives. Responses to both allow us to compile a guide that provides a well-rounded platform for candidate and community engagement.
We hope this guide is a useful tool for your decision-making and who is the ideal candidate for your values and business needs.
Thank you to each candidate that responded to our call for engagement. Running for office is a challenging effort, and we don’t take for granted the sacrifice you make to serve your community well!
With Election Day just a few short days away, we hope you will also consider supporting important local measures that make a difference in livability in our region. We are proud to support local measures 20-240 for Lane County Public Safety and 20-343, supporting Eugene’s parks maintenance. Both of these measures provide important resources for our community which require our support!
No matter how you vote, please do! Ballot drop boxes will be open 24 hours a day until 8 PM on election day. Find the nearest to you here.
