In spite of the Citizens United decision by the U.S. Supreme Court, the vast majority of Americans of both parties agree that large donors to political campaigns have undue influence over elected officials. Polls by Ipsos, Pew and others show that over 80% of voters see such spending as a direct threat to American democracy. We see it on the national level, and we see it here in Lane County.

That political candidates accept and encourage large donations shouldn’t be a surprise. Raising money is an arduous and distasteful task, and large donations make the job simpler. But those large donations come with a cost to the aspiring officeholder. Essentially the large donor is saying, “Take my money and pay extra attention to my wishes, or I’ll spend my money on someone else.”

One need only look at the East Lane District 5 commissioner’s race to see this in action. Jake Pelroy has accepted many large donations, in the tens of thousands of dollars, from the timber Industry and their deep-pocketed allies, while Heather Buch is relying on small donors who only want good and effective government that works for everyone.

Two of Pelroy’s allies on the Lane County Board of Commissioners — Ryan Ceniga and David Loveall — recently let one major timber industry executive off with nary a slap on the wrist when she blatantly ignored land-use laws. And surprise, surprise — she was a major donor to the campaigns of all three.

It’s high time we stop letting the elite and corporate interests decide who gets elected, and get back to government of the people, by the people and for the people. Heather Buch has been a quietly efficient elected official beholden to no one but the people of east Lane County.

Reelect Heather Buch.

David Funk
Eugene