Coos County Candidate Forum: A Night of Conservative Voices and Community Engagement
Friends of Coos County Republicans hosted an energizing forum featuring candidates for State Rep District 9 and County Commissioner. Highlights included Claire Lynn and Troy Cribbins tackling cost of living, public safety, and education; Rick Coleman and Chris Ensley focusing on homelessness and leadership; incumbent John Sweet and challenger Brandi Martindale addressing funding crises and cultural shifts.
A Teaser on Local Politics and Finances
Before introducing the candidates, Chris Castleman shared a stark graph highlighting political contributions in Coos County over the past decade. Democrats have outpaced Republicans in fundraising for years, contributing to losses in local elections such as school boards and county commissions. However, there is hope: The PAC, formed just months ago, has already raised over $14,000 since October—outpacing Democrats in early 2026 contributions. This "war chest" will fuel candidate support, events, and voter outreach. The group also spotlighted recent successes, like the Turning Point USA event and a movie night at the Egyptian Theater, emphasizing youth engagement and community involvement.
Total Contributions by Year (per ORESTAR)
A touching moment occurred when attendees paused for a prayer for Cody Carlson, principal of Riverview High School, who is stranded in Puerto Vallarta amid cartel violence. The group also celebrated Ben, an 18-year-old who registered as a Republican on his birthday—proof that the next generation is stepping up!
Meet the Candidates: Priorities and Passion
Each candidate had 10-15 minutes to introduce themselves, share their platforms, and field questions. Here's a quick rundown of the highlights:
Claire Lynn (State Rep, District 9): A seventh-generation Oregonian and logger's daughter, Claire emphasized reducing regulations to lower living costs, bolstering public safety (criticizing laws like Senate Bill 48), and improving education rankings (Oregon is 50th in fourth-grade reading). She opposes extreme environmental agendas and supports trades, apprenticeships, and parental choice in schooling. Endorsed by Oregon Right to Life and the Farm Bureau, she addressed concerns on diplomas, higher education, and anti-farming bills like IP28.
Troy Cribbins (State Rep, District 9): With roots in rural Oregon and 30 years in healthcare, Troy focused on economic development, healthcare access, and education amid government overreach. He highlighted poverty's impact on schools (70% of kids at or below poverty level) and called for less regulation to revive timber and fisheries. Questions touched on vote-by-mail issues and pushing back on bills like HB 4145 (gun restrictions).
Richard Coleman (County Commissioner Position 3): A lifelong Coos County resident, Army veteran, and diesel mechanic, Rick prioritized public safety funding, balancing the budget, and addressing homelessness. He opposed a proposed housing development in Eastside due to infrastructure concerns and advocated for reopening county roads for hunting while tapping volunteers to combat trash dumping.
Christopher Ensley (County Commissioner Position 3): A third-generation Coast Guardsman and Christian conservative, Chris shared his military background (including stints in Alaska and search-and-rescue ops). His focus is providing strong leadership to tackle county challenges, drawing from his 20-year service experience.
John Sweet (Incumbent County Commissioner Position 2): With decades of experience, John discussed the county's funding crisis (timber revenue shortfalls leading to potential tax needs). He defended past decisions, like health initiatives for underserved communities, and stressed competitive pay to retain staff. Questions probed votes on events like a recent "drag prom" and budget cuts amid raises.
Brandi Martindale (County Commissioner Position 2): A third-generation resident with a psychology background, Brandy broke cycles of poverty in her own life. As a life coach, she aims to foster habit changes for a healthier, less state-dependent county. She criticized state overreach, called for cultural shifts on issues like domestic violence, and pledged to challenge Salem on funding and ideology.
The group also heard from Steve Hammerson (Douglas County Commissioner candidate), who sought the PAC's endorsement. A school board veteran and part of the "Roseburg Six," Steve emphasized constitutional principles and fair elections. The group enthusiastically endorsed him after a motion and vote—highlighting cross-county conservative solidarity.
Q&A: Tough Topics and Real Talk
Questions ranged from homelessness solutions and property taxes to anti-farming bills (IP28), education standards, and state mandates. Candidates tackled vote-by-mail concerns, Second Amendment rights, and personal morals in governance. The room buzzed with energy, though time constraints kept things tight—reminding everyone why events like this are crucial for informed voting.
Looking Ahead: Get Involved!
The forum wrapped with PAC updates: The group is launching t-shirts ($30 donations), a gun raffle, and a candidate questionnaire for the website. Mark your calendars for the Governor's Debate on March 14 at Marshfield High School Auditorium (5 p.m. local candidate forum, 7 p.m. main event).
If inspired, sign up as a Precinct Committee Person (PCP) by March 10—it's entry-level politics with big impact. Volunteer for door-knocking, petitions, or events. Together, Coos County conservatives are building momentum: Register to vote, donate, and spread the word. The Friends of Coos County Republicans are rising—let's keep the fire burning!
