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Reclaiming Our Republican Heritage: The Oregon GOP Must Become "The Human Rights Party"Fellow Oregon Republicans,The Oregon Republican Party stands at a crossroads. For too long, we have allowed ourselves to be defined by the narrow debates our opponents choose—taxes, regulations, and culture-war skirmishes—while the deeper soul of our party has been quietly set aside. It is time for a new direction. Not a reinvention, but a reclamation. The Republican Party was born as America’s party of human rights. In Oregon, we must proudly reclaim that mantle and declare ourselves, boldly and without apology, The Human Rights Party. Abraham Lincoln, the first Republican president, showed us exactly what that means. In the midst of a civil war, when the Democratic Party of his day was the party of slavery, secession, and human bondage, Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation and fought to pass the 13th Amendment. He did not do it because it was politically convenient. He did it because the Republican Party was founded on the principle that every human being possesses inherent dignity and unalienable rights. That principle did not originate in some European collectivist manifesto. It came straight from the Declaration of Independence, written by Thomas Jefferson and rooted in the philosophy of John Locke: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal” — equal in value, equal in rights, equal before God and the law.No political party in American history has a better human-rights record than the Republican Party. We ended slavery. We passed the 14th and 15th Amendments. We fought for women’s suffrage. We championed the Civil Rights Act of 1964 against fierce Democratic opposition. And today, we continue that fight by rejecting every form of identity-based discrimination, including the divisive and dehumanizing ideology of DEI — Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion — that has swept through our universities, corporations, and government institutions. DEI is not progress; it is European collectivism dressed up in modern language. It divides people by race, gender, and grievance. It tells Oregonians they are defined by the group they were born into rather than by the content of their character. Republicans reject that lie. We stand, as we always have, for the rights of the individual.That is why I am calling on the Oregon Republican Party to make human rights advocacy the very first plank of our platform — not an afterthought, not a footnote, but our central mission. We should adopt the subtitle The Human Rights Party and engrave it on every banner, every website, and every piece of literature we produce. Let Democrats explain why they support race-based hiring, race-based college admissions, and race-based government contracts. Let them explain why they remain silent while Oregon children are taught that their skin color determines their worth. We will answer with the timeless American creed: every person is created equal in value, endowed by their Creator with unalienable rights.This commitment must be more than rhetoric. It must be grounded in a positive philosophy of human relations. For that reason, I urge the Oregon Republican Party to embrace the principles of Ethical Individualism — the human-relational philosophy I set forth in my book on human relations. Ethical Individualism rejects both selfish isolation and collectivist conformity. It teaches that true community is built when free individuals voluntarily recognize and respect one another’s inherent dignity. It is the natural political expression of the Golden Rule in a free society. It is the philosophy that animated Lincoln, that inspired the civil-rights movement, and that can once again make the Republican Party the optimistic, inclusive, and morally confident voice Oregon needs.Oregonians are tired of politics that pit neighbor against neighbor. They are hungry for a party that reminds them what we all share: the same unalienable rights, the same God-given potential, and the same desire to live in a state where every child — regardless of race, background, or zip code — can rise as high as their talent and character will take them. That is the Republican heritage. That is the human-rights tradition. And that is the new direction the Oregon Republican Party must take if we are to win not just elections, but the hearts and minds of the next generation.As your candidate for the United States Senate, I pledge to carry this banner to Washington and to fight for it every single day. But the real work begins here in Oregon. Let us stop apologizing for our history and start celebrating it. Let us stop whispering our principles and start shouting them from every mountaintop in the Cascades to the shores of the Pacific.The Oregon Republican Party must become The Human Rights Party. The time is now. The choice is ours.Together, let’s give Oregon the principled, optimistic, and freedom-loving leadership it deserves.Sincerely, Russ McAlmond Republican Candidate for United States Senate, Oregon

Oregon Republican Party Needs New Direction

three round gold-colored coins on 100 US dollar banknotes

Standing Firm Against the Establishment: Russ McAlmond’s Fight for Oregon’s U.S. Senate SeatIn the 2026 Republican primary for Oregon’s open U.S. Senate seat, one candidate stands out not because of party machinery or donor lists, but because of principle, service, and an unshakable refusal to bow to insider pressure. That candidate is Russ McAlmond—the only veteran in the race. Yet the very party that should be uniting behind strong, battle-tested conservatives has chosen instead to attack him through proxies, whispers, and coordinated social-media assaults. This is not new behavior. It is the same tired playbook the Oregon Republican Party establishment has run for years, and Oregon voters deserve to see it for what it is: a desperate attempt to protect power and money rather than advance conservative values. The pattern is unmistakable. Recall how Oregon Senate Minority Leader Bruce Starr endorsed Christine Drazan for governor while the primary is still in its early stages, effectively trying to clear the field for his preferred choice over Ed Diehl. The message was clear: the establishment picks winners before the voters do. Diehl, a principled fighter who is refusing to play ball, is trying to be sidelined early by the Salem establishment.&nbsp;Now the same machinery is turning its sights on Russ McAlmond. Proxies from the very county where McAlmond lives have been activated to question his credibility. Social-media accounts aligned with party insiders spread doubts about the legitimacy of his campaign. They try to kick him off social media so that his message cannot get out to other Oregon Republicans.&nbsp;The goal is the same: discourage voters, sow confusion, and protect the preferred insider path. None of this should surprise anyone who has watched the Oregon Republican Party’s recent track record. Under establishment leadership, the party has presided over a steady decline in registered Republicans across the state. Leadership changes have become almost routine, yet the same insular circle remains in control. Instead of focusing on outreach, message discipline, or growing the base, party operatives spend their energy behind the scenes—using county-level proxies to promote favorites and undermine anyone who threatens the status quo. If you are not their hand-picked candidate, you become a target. That is exactly what is happening to Russ McAlmond today. McAlmond refuses to accept this cynical game. Like Ed Diehl, he is a fighter who will not back down. He has made it clear: he rejects the strategy of letting Salem insiders pre-select nominees through backroom pressure and proxy attacks. He understands what is really driving these assaults. It is not ideology. It is money. In the “Salem swamp,” the Oregon Republican Party has increasingly operated on a simple calculus: back the candidate who can raise the most cash, not the one who stands most firmly on principle. When fundraising trumps conviction, attacks on credible conservatives become inevitable. A small but vocal minority of party voices then floods social media and other platforms questioning the legitimacy of any challenger who refuses to bend the knee. This is precisely the treatment McAlmond is receiving right now. What the establishment fails to grasp is that Oregon Republican voters are tired of politics as usual. They are tired of watching the Republican Party shrink while the same insiders cling to influence. They are tired of seeing principled candidates—especially veterans who have literally risked everything for this country—smeared by people who have never worn the uniform or fought the battles McAlmond has fought. Russ McAlmond’s campaign is not about personal ambition. It is about restoring integrity to the process and giving Oregon a senator who answers to the people of this state, not to donor lists or party bosses. Russ McAlmond has already proven he will not be intimidated. He will not be driven from the race by coordinated attacks or county-level proxies. He will continue to campaign on the issues that matter most to Oregon families: securing the border, cutting wasteful spending, protecting Second Amendment rights, defending rural economies, and fighting back against the radical policies coming out of Washington, D.C. He does so as a veteran who understands sacrifice, not as a career politician chasing the next check.The choice before Republican primary voters could not be clearer. Do we allow the establishment—despite its record of declining registration and revolving-door leadership—to once again dictate the nominee through manipulation and money? Or do we reject the “Salem swamp” mentality and stand with a fighter who puts principle over fundraising? Marine veteran and principled conservative Russ McAlmond has chosen the latter path. He has chosen to fight for Oregon rather than appease the insiders. And just as he stood for this nation in uniform, he will stand unapologetically for conservative values in the United States Senate—if the voters of Oregon give him the opportunity.The establishment can attack. They can whisper. They can mobilize proxies. But they cannot silence a veteran who refuses to quit. Oregon Republicans now have the chance to send a powerful message: this primary belongs to the voters, not the insiders. It is time to rally behind Russ McAlmond—the only veteran in the race, the principled fighter, and the candidate the establishment fears most.

Attacks by Republican Establishment on Campaign

a close up of a typewriter with a paper that says social security

As a long-term Oregonian and Certified Financial Planner with more than two decades of experience guiding hundreds of our state’s retirees and elderly families through the complex maze of personal income, retirement planning, and tax issues, I have seen firsthand how Social Security is not just a government program—it is the bedrock of dignity and security for our seniors. That is why I am running for the United States Senate as a Republican with one clear promise: Social Security will be protected, strengthened, and expanded under my watch. Oregon seniors will never have to fear cuts, and they should dismiss any fear-mongering from some Democrats who suggest otherwise. I have always supported Social Security payments, and I will fight to make them better as your U.S. Senator.My work as a CFP has put me at kitchen tables across Oregon—from Medford to Pendleton—helping retirees stretch fixed incomes against rising costs. I have witnessed the quiet frustration of seniors who discover that a portion of their hard-earned Social Security benefits is taxed by the federal government. This is not right. Social Security is not “extra income” that should be clawed back through the tax code; it is money workers already paid into the system during decades of labor. That is why I will introduce and fight for legislation to make Social Security payments completely tax-free—not merely offering limited credits that still leave seniors navigating a confusing tax trap, but true, full tax relief so every dollar reaches the people who earned it.Inflation under the Biden administration has hit Oregon seniors especially hard. Food prices have surged more than 20 percent, and the cost of everyday essentials continues to climb. A cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) that merely keeps pace with government statistics is no longer enough when real-world grocery bills and utility rates tell a different story. Seniors deserve more than catch-up—they deserve a real boost. As your Senator, I will propose an immediate $500 per month increase in Social Security payments for every current and future recipient. This increase will be permanent, and future COLAs will be calculated on the new, higher benefit level so the gain is never eroded. Our seniors built this country; they should not be forced to choose between medicine and meals because Washington failed to control inflation. I will also deliver long-overdue tax relief on two other fronts that directly affect Oregon families. First, I will work to eliminate the federal estate tax, which unfairly penalizes families who have already paid taxes on their earnings and savings. Second, I will fight to repeal Oregon’s inheritance tax so that the legacy Oregonians leave behind—whether it is a family farm, a small business, or a modest home—stays in the hands of their children and grandchildren instead of being seized by government bureaucrats. These are not abstract policy ideas; they are promises rooted in the real stories I have heard from Oregon retirees who worry that the fruits of a lifetime of work will be taken away.Let me be crystal clear: Russ McAlmond will never support any reduction in Social Security benefits. Not now, not ever. My record as a financial planner and my values as a Republican who believes in limited government and personal responsibility are consistent and unshakable. Social Security is a solemn promise made to American workers, and I intend to keep that promise stronger than ever.Oregon seniors have given us their best years. It is time we gave them the security, dignity, and peace of mind they deserve. I ask for your vote so that together we can make Social Security tax-free, provide the $500 monthly increase our retirees urgently need, protect family legacies from estate and inheritance taxes, and ensure that no senior in our state ever has to live in fear of losing what they earned.Thank you for trusting me with this fight. Together, we will put Oregon seniors first in the United States Senate.Sincerely, Russ McAlmond Republican Candidate for United States Senate

Support Social Security Always

In a Republican primary already underway, David Brock Smith’s sudden announcement on March 3, 2026, that he is running for the U.S. Senate seat held by Democrat Jeff Merkley represents one of the most cynical late entries in recent Oregon political memory. Smith, the state senator from Port Orford, waited until the campaign was well advanced before jumping in—after other Republicans, including the only veteran (Marines) in the race, Russ McAlmond, had already been working for months to earn the support of GOP voters. Instead of offering fresh ideas or uniting the party, Smith’s entry has been accompanied by a wave of personal attacks from his supporters aimed squarely at McAlmond: name-calling, online smears, and attempts to diminish the record of the sole veteran seeking the nomination. Oregon Republicans deserve better. They deserve the truth—and the truth is that David Brock Smith is not the conservative his sales pitch promotes. Nominating him would be a catastrophic mistake. Start with the record that earned Smith the nickname “Tampon Dave.” As a state legislator, Smith voted for the Menstrual Dignity Act, a bill that explicitly directed public schools to stock tampons and other menstrual products in boys’ restrooms. This was not an oversight or a procedural vote; it was a deliberate choice to prioritize ideology over common sense and the privacy and safety of Oregon’s schoolchildren.That single vote alone should disqualify him from any claim to represent traditional Republican values. Yet Smith has never disavowed it. He has never explained why he stood with Democrats on an issue that most Oregon parents find absurd and inappropriate. Republicans who value parental rights, biological reality, and fiscal responsibility cannot pretend this vote does not exist.Smith’s pattern of aligning with Democrats goes far beyond bathrooms. He has posed for photographs with Democratic Governor Tina Kotek—images that proudly circulate on his own social media and campaign materials. In his own words, he has justified crossing the aisle to vote with Democrats in order to “get money for his district.” This is not principled bipartisanship; it is the classic behavior of a career politician who puts local pork ahead of conservative principles. Oregon Republicans have watched too many “moderates” in Salem trade away core values for earmarks and photo-ops. Smith’s record shows he is comfortable doing exactly that.Even more troubling are Smith’s extensive ties to the Oregon China Council and the Southern Oregon China Connection, organizations that actively promote closer economic and cultural relations with the Chinese Communist Party. Smith served as chair of the Southern Oregon China Connection and traveled to China to promote trade between Oregon and the People’s Republic. These are not benign business deals. They are engagements with a regime that is actively undermining American interests, stealing technology, flooding markets with subsidized goods, and building military capabilities aimed squarely at the United States and its allies. When concerned Republicans began highlighting these connections—calling Smith “Made in China” in reference to his documented associations—Smith’s lawyer responded with a formal “Cease and Desist” letter demanding they stop. Not a policy rebuttal. Not a transparent accounting of his activities. A legal threat against fellow Republicans. That alone reveals a candidate more interested in silencing criticism than in defending his record. None of this is rumor or innuendo. Every claim above is publicly documented: the legislative vote on the Menstrual Dignity Act, the photographs with Governor Kotek, Smith’s own statements about voting for district funding, his leadership roles with the Oregon China Council and Southern Oregon China Connection, his travel to China, and the cease-and-desist letter sent to GOP critics. Oregon Republicans can verify all of it in minutes. Contrast that record with the only veteran running in the Republican U.S. Senate primary: Russ McAlmond. A proud U.S. Marine who served his country honorably, McAlmond brings real-world experience, personal sacrifice, and a lifetime of proven character to the race. He has no China Council memberships. He has never voted to place tampons in boys’ restrooms. He has never needed to send lawyers after fellow Republicans for pointing out uncomfortable facts. McAlmond is campaigning on common-sense conservatism, strong national defense, fiscal responsibility, and putting Oregon families first—without the baggage of compromise votes or foreign entanglements. David Brock Smith’s late entry and the attacks on McAlmond are not signs of strength; they are signs of weakness. A confident conservative candidate does not need to smear a decorated veteran or hide behind attorneys. Oregon Republicans now face a clear choice. They can rally behind a candidate who has stood with Democrats on bathroom policy, courted Chinese Communist Party-linked trade groups, and threatened fellow Republicans—or they can unite around Russ McAlmond, the only veteran in the race, a man with a clean conservative record and no need to explain away compromising votes or overseas junkets.The stakes could not be higher. The U.S. Senate seat in Oregon is winnable only if Republicans nominate someone who can energize the base, appeal to independents, and draw a sharp contrast with the radical policies coming out of Washington and Salem. David Brock Smith cannot do that. His record is too compromised, his late entry too opportunistic, and his tactics too divisive. It is time for Oregon Republicans to reject “Tampon Dave” Smith and rally around Russ McAlmond—the veteran, the principled conservative, and the candidate who actually puts the American people above politics. The future of the party and the country depends on it.

David B. Smith: Tampons, China and Lawyers

In an era when career politicians in Washington seem more focused on power, perks, and perpetual re-election than on the people they serve, Oregon has a rare opportunity to choose real leadership. Russ McAlmond—a proud U.S. Marine veteran, husband, father of three, successful financial professional, and founder of the Center for Human Equality—is running for the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate with one unwavering mission: to defeat long-time Senator Jeff Merkley and deliver fresh, principled representation for the majority of Oregonians.Russ is not like some of his opponents in the GOP primary. He is not a perennial candidate who files paperwork election after election, only to lose time and again while offering the same recycled ideas. He is also not running to climb any political ladder or build a career in politics. Russ has been crystal clear: he has zero desire to become a career politician. He believes deeply in term limits and has made a solemn public pledge—he will voluntarily serve no more than two terms in the Senate and then return home to Oregon. That commitment alone sets him apart and guarantees he will stay focused on results, not on raising money or protecting a political future.His reasons for running are pure and straightforward. Russ is not motivated by ego, campaign cash, personal ambition, or partisan games. He is running for one reason only: to serve his state and his country. He wants to represent the broad majority of Oregonians—working families in rural Eastern Oregon, coastal communities, small business owners, urban professionals, and everyday citizens who simply want common-sense government—not the extreme fringes on either side of the aisle. He is committed to making Oregon better through stronger values, practical ideas, and policies that actually work for all residents. In a polarized time, Russ offers a fresh voice in the U.S. Senate: one grounded in service, unity, and fiscal sanity rather than division or ideology.What truly distinguishes Russ is his unmatched qualifications for the job. He is the only veteran running in this race—a United States Marine who enlisted at 18, served three years on active duty with a 15-month overseas deployment during wartime, and received an honorable discharge. Russ understands veteran issues from personal experience, including the challenges of healthcare, benefits, transition to civilian life, and the lasting impact of service-related disabilities. No one else in the field can speak with that same credibility and passion on behalf of Oregon’s veterans.He is also the only financial expert running. With an MBA, a Master of Science in Financial Services (MSFS), Certified Financial Planner (CFP) credentials, and decades of real-world experience as Chief Investment Officer and business leader, Russ actually understands federal budgets and the crushing weight of national debt. While others talk about fiscal responsibility, Russ has the training and track record to deliver it—cutting waste, protecting taxpayer dollars, and making government live within its means.Republicans, independents, and all Oregonians who want change know the truth: Jeff Merkley has had his turn. It’s time for new leadership. Among all the candidates seeking the Republican nomination, Russ McAlmond is the only one positioned to defeat Merkley in November. He is the strongest, most electable choice because his motivations are 100% about service—no hidden agendas, no lifelong political ambitions, just a Marine’s commitment to duty and a financial expert’s dedication to responsibility.Oregon deserves better than more of the same. We need a senator who will fight for the majority, not pander to the extremes. We need term-limited leadership that puts people first. We need a fresh voice who understands both service and stewardship.That senator is Russ McAlmond.Republicans: this is our best chance to win the Senate seat in 2026. Oregonians: this is your chance for real change. Join the campaign, support Russ in the May primary, and let’s send a Marine, a financial expert, and a true servant leader to the United States Senate.Russ McAlmond: Marine. Expert. Servant Leader. The clear choice for Oregon.

Not a Career Politician - Term Limits

a shakespeare and company sign above a doorway

"Friends, Republicans, and Oregonians - Lend me your ears - I have come to bury Jeff Merkley, not to praise him." (William Shakespeare's play Julius Caesar, specifically Act III, Scene II - modified)The career politicians in Washington have had their day. For too long, they've clung to power, recycled the same tired ideas, and put party loyalty above the hardworking families of our state. Jeff Merkley has been in office for nearly two decades—a lifetime in politics—delivering more of the same failed policies that have left Oregon struggling with high costs, crime, homelessness, and division.I'm not one of them - nor do I ever want to be a career politician.&nbsp;I'm Russ McAlmond: a U.S. Marine veteran who ran toward the fight when others ran away, a successful businessman and financial planner who's built real companies from the ground up, a husband and father of three, and the founder of the Center for Human Equality. I've never made a career out of running for office every cycle. I've spent my life serving in uniform, creating jobs, advising families on how to build wealth, and standing up for individual rights—not chasing the next election.That's exactly why Oregon Republicans need me to take on Merkley this November. We need a fighter who can actually win—a proven leader with common-sense solutions, not another insider who talks a big game but delivers nothing. I'm the only veteran in this race, and ready on day one to bring the toughness and integrity Oregon deserves to the U.S. Senate.As the ancient Chinese military strategist Sun Tzu wisely said in The Art of War: "If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles." In this political battle, we must study and understand the weaknesses of our opponents—the Democratic Party's full embrace of collectivism. They judge people not by their individual character or merit, but by the groups they belong to, pushing DEI policies that divide us by race, sex, and identity, treating unique individuals as mere representatives of categories rather than the distinct human beings we are.We know our enemy: their agenda promotes group-based preferences over personal achievement, fosters division instead of unity, and stifles the innovation and opportunity that built Oregon strong. And we know ourselves: Oregon Republicans stand for freedom, hard work, personal responsibility, and judging every person on their own actions and potential.The cure is Ethical Individualism: the belief that every person should be judged on their own merits, their own actions, and their own potential—not as a member of some favored or disfavored group. When we embrace Ethical Individualism, we reject harmful DEI quotas, identity-based preferences, and the collectivist mindset that pits neighbor against neighbor. We lift up every Oregonian by rewarding hard work, innovation, and personal responsibility—regardless of background.Together, we can end the era of division and return to what made America—and Oregon—great: opportunity for all, earned through individual effort and mutual respect.This November, let's send a message to Washington. Let's bury the career politicians and their failed collectivist agenda. Let's elect a Marine, a businessman, a fighter for individual rights. I'm Russ McAlmond, and I'm asking for your vote. Together, we'll bring common sense, courage, and real equality back to the Senate.Thank you, and God bless Oregon!