QuickTake:

Friday's meeting will include comments from two candidates who are challenging U.S. Rep. Val Hoyle in Oregon’s May primary election.

Two Democratic challengers to U.S. Rep. Val Hoyle in the May primary will make their election pitches to the City Club of Eugene at its meeting Friday, April 17.

The meeting begins at noon at the WOW Hall, 291 W. Eighth St. City Club of Eugene meetings are open to the public and free to attend.

In the May 19 election, Hoyle is seeking her third two-year term representing the 4th Congressional District, which includes Lane County. But she faces two Democratic challengers. The club invited all three Democratic candidates to Friday’s meeting. Hoyle, who will be in Washington, D.C., as the House of Representatives is in session, likely will not be able to attend.

Here are the candidates scheduled to speak Friday: 

  • Daniel Bahlen has a doctoral degree in behavioral health from Arizona State University and a master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling. His professional background includes work in tribal behavioral health, manufacturing and as a graduate teaching assistant.
  • Melissa Bird has a doctoral degree in social work from the University of Southern California and a master’s degree in social work from the University of Utah. She is self-employed and her professional background includes working as faculty at Portland State University and USC.

Hoyle, the incumbent, served as commissioner of the Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries and in the Oregon House of Representatives, where she represented District 14, covering west Eugene and Junction City. She also served as House majority leader.

The winner of the Democratic primary will face the Republican nominee in November, either Monique DeSpain or Stefan G. Strek.

KLCC reporter Rebecca Hansen-White will moderate the session.

Friday’s program will be livestreamed on the City Club of Eugene’s YouTube channel. Club meetings are rebroadcast Mondays at 7 p.m. on KLCC, 89.7 FM, and are available later as episodes on the club’s podcast.

On April 24, the club’s meeting will feature candidates running for the Eugene City Council.

Other election forums

  • Lookout Eugene-Springfield is hosting a forum with Eugene City Council candidates at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 15, at the WOW Hall. Admission to the forum is free, but registration is encouraged. 
  • The Springfield City Club is hosting a forum Thursday, April 16, featuring the three candidates for the District 2 seat on the Lane County Board of Commissioners. The forum includes incumbent David Loveall, Springfield Mayor Sean VanGordon and William Monsoor, a retired crisis clinician and military veteran. The free forum begins at noon at Roaring Rapids Pizza Co., 4006 Franklin Blvd.

Mike McInally is a Pacific Northwest journalist with four decades of experience in Oregon and Montana, including stints as editor of the Corvallis Gazette-Times and the Albany Democrat-Herald.