The August 1 letter criticizing Bo Wiedenfeld-Needham’s decision to challenge Rep. Val Hoyle for the Democratic Party’s nominee to be our U.S. congressional representative is misguided in both tone and substance.

The letter writer even tells him to “sit down” until he has held other lower-level elected offices. I couldn’t disagree more.

The future of democracy and the rule of law in this country are being systematically undermined by corrupt political forces at both the federal and state levels. At present, those forces are succeeding in their efforts.

The last thing we need in this country is for Wiedenfeld-Needham and others like him, who are willing to make the personal sacrifices necessary to run for public office, is to sit down.

On the contrary, I applaud him for standing up.

Political experience is no guarantee of good government. An individual’s character, integrity, ideas and commitment to serving the public are first and foremost. I look forward to hearing more from Wiedenfeld-Needham and others in our community who are willing to “stand up.”

As to the competence of Hoyle, I both voted for her and donated money to her campaign and may very well do so again. But I want to see new faces on the political stage and hear their ideas. It keeps incumbents on their toes and sharpens the abilities of those new to seeking public office. It’s a large part of what democracy is all about.

Hoyle herself, when hearing she was being challenged, couldn’t have said it better. “I welcome the participation of people to the political process and support a vibrant democracy,” she said.

The letter writer should heed the words of the candidate she so ardently supports instead of telling potential challengers to sit down.

Ben Bonner
Eugene

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