Luncheon Meetings

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COFRW's first Annual Christmas Party was a blast!  We enjoyed great food, BIG silent auction, live music, and lovely friends!

This event was a fundraiser for the expenses of a busy 2024 election year.    

 First luncheon of the year brought Will Lathrop to town!  He is a candidate for Oregon Attorney General.  Here he is explaining his platform.

Shannon Monihan spoke on her campaign for Oregon Senate District 27.  She is running for Tim Knope's seat.

Keri Lopez is running for State House District 53.  House District 53 — www.kerilopez.com  

Greg Hinton and Debbie Meadows from DCRP presented a program about PCP's and the importance of being one.

Herbert Grey is a seasoned attorney practicing law in Beaverton, Oregon. He attended Willamette University in Salem and has been licensed for decades, handling business, insurance, litigation, and religious freedom cases among other topics. The conservative group, Alliance Defending Freedom, awarded Grey in 2009 for his pro bono legal services for religious freedom causes. He is the recipient of the Bronze Award for playing a pivotal role in defending an Oregon amendment in support of marriage.

April 4th. 

Christie Hutcherson, founder and CEO of Women Fighting for America, Zoomed in to update us the Border crisis.  Julie Nowacki, media publicist, lives in Oregon and also joined us by zoom.

 In 2020, this conservative, Christian women’s movement was founded to fight for the soul of America and bring healing amid the current chaos. There was a time when people were proud to be Americans, when morality reigned, and our Constitution was respected. 

https://wffa.win

MICHAEL SUMMERS CANDIDATE FOR SENATE District 27 – currently held by Tim Knopp

A proven leader in Central Oregon, Michael is a small business owner with an intimate understanding of poor economic policy. He serves as chair of Redmond School Board, mending the bond between parents and education. Michael advocates for the vulnerable, honoring our Veterans and giving voice to the voiceless.

Political division has turned neighbors into enemies and created an extremely polarized atmosphere.  This hinders the development of well-crafted and balanced policy where bi-partisan agreement and compromise can be found.  Michael understands the weight of bad public policy and the trickle down effects from local business economics, to education, and public welfare resource allocation.  It’s time to restore balance to the conversation for Oregonians!

As a reminder: make sure that you are registered to vote!  

May 2nd luncheon was the last meeting prior to the Oregon Primary election.  

We were fortunate to have Chuck Cox from Oregon General Jural Assembly.  He educated us on the exciting work being done by the group in Oregon.

Find out more here:  Home - Oregon General Jural Assembly (oregon-general-jural-assembly.com) 

 Oregon Representative for District 59 and candidate for reelection, Vikki Breese-Iverson, spoke to the group about her recent trip to the Yuma Arizona sector of the US Border.  Candidate as Representative for Oregon District 53, Keri Lopez, also was with the delegation of Republicans from Oregon who went to the Border.  Both women are COFRW members. 

COFRW members and guests discussed the results of the Oregon Primary election on May 21.  June 6th is the luncheon date.

Volunteers in Medicine organization was represented by Kat Mastrangelo, their Executive Director.  Kat's many roles include serving on the City of Bend Budget Committee for 5 years and as a session member for the First Presbyterian Church.  Kat and her husband, Mike, have lived in Central Oregon for over 20 years, and have 3 grown children.

Find out more at https://www.vim-cascades.org

COFRW walked and talked to folks in the Redmond Fourth of July Parade!  

What a patriotic town!

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On July 11th, members and guests 

enjoyed the “Burgers and Politics” event in Alpenglow Park,   

61049 SE 15th Street, Bend. 

We enjoyed BBQ, music, games, a dessert auction and a silent auction!  It's an outdoor evening event (5-8 pm).  

Listened to candidates and special guest speaker, Ken Ruettgers, NFL SuperBowl Winner and author.

Exciting last-minute addition to our agenda, OR Senate Republican Minority Leader, Tim Knopp!

William Bailey – running for Deschutes County Sheriff

William Bailey introduced himself and answered our questions about his approach to management of the Sheriff's Department and the  Constitutional responsibilities a sheriff has.  You can find his full bio here:

https://sheriff.deschutes.org/about-us/division-commanders/patrol-division-commander/

 September 5th was an action packed meeting.  Kent Vander Kamp, Deschutes County Sheriff candidate, told his story and answered many questions of the full house of Republicans.  Steve Dennison, current Deschutes County Clerk, introduced himself and told us about his re-election campaign.  We asked a lot of questions about election integrity and Ranked Choice Voting.  Nick Cerveny stopped by to let us know that he is running for Bend City Council.  

Bryan Iverson of Iverson Strategies was our primary speaker and what a terrific presentation he gave.  Not only did we learn about the Oregon 2022 election but he gave us his 2024 projected outcomes.  Very interesting!

October 3rd was the first Thursday of this month.  COFRW Election was held at this luncheon.  The 2025 Executive Board will be:

President - Melissa Scheaffer

1st VP - Linda Dykwel

2nd VP - Julia Brown

Treasurer - Jeannie Troxel

Recording Secretary - Margie Crawford

Reagan Knopp of "Crosstabs" spoke.   Reagan Knopp, is the other half of a substack act, "Crosstabs".  His on-air partner is Bryan Iverson, September's guest speaker and political strategist.  They produce stimulating, substantive political banter from a conservative Oregon point of view.  The word CROSSTABS is a method of statistical analysis, by the way ;) 

Cat Zwicker, candidate for Redmond City Mayor gave us her final campaign pitch.  Keri Lopez and Michael Summers also gave us their reasons for voting for them!  Great to hear everybody in person!

Last luncheon of 2024 on Thursday, November 7.  The General Election will be held on Tuesday, November 5th!

The 2025 COFRW Executive Board will be installed by Tony DeBone!

We will have a Round Table Discussion on the election and on our plans for 2025 political actions to hold those elected accountable!

Pssst...the 2024 COFRW Christmas Party and Fundraiser will be held at the beautiful Aspen Lakes Golf Club on Saturday, 

December 7th 4-8 pm.