Issuu

FOR THE PEOPLE, BY THE PEOPLE.

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 28, 2026

GRANTSPASSTRIBUNE.COM | $0.00

Grants Pass Resident Seth Benham Enters Oregon House Race

Citing Southern Oregon’s Absence in Salem

By John Oliver A Grants Pass business owner and city councilor is seeking to bring what he describes as long-missing representation back to Southern Oregon. Seth Benham announced this week that he will run for Oregon State Representative in House District 3, entering the 2026 Republican primary with a campaign centered on local advocacy, economic pressures, and public safety concerns. A Grants Pass native, Benham framed his candidacy as a response to what he says has been years of political neglect affecting Josephine County and surrounding communities. “I was born and raised right here in Grants Pass. This is home,” Benham said in his announcement. “It’s where I’ve built my business, where I’m raising my family, and where I want to serve.” Benham’s decision comes amid growing frustration among Southern Oregon residents over housing costs, business regulations, and what local leaders describe as a widening disconnect between rural communities and

state policymakers in Salem. According to legislative analysis cited by Benham’s campaign, House District 3 has missed out on an estimated $5.8 million in funding and resources due to limited legislative activity by its current representative, including the absence of any bills submitted for the upcoming short session “For too long, Josephine County has been ignored in Salem,” Benham said. “We send our tax dollars north, and we get nothing back.” Benham currently serves on the Grants Pass City Council and brings experience from both public service and private enterprise. He owns and operates a local business and has been involved in several civic organizations, including Main Street Grants Pass, where he serves as chair. The organization focuses on downtown revitalization and small business support. He also serves as vice president of the Southern Oregon Aspire Board of Directors, which works to connect students with career and education pathways. His campaign message emphasizes what he describes as a practical, results-oriented approach rooted in local experience rather than partisan ambition. “I’m not running because I want a title,” Benham said. “I’m running because I see what’s happening to our community, and I know we can do better.”

Benham has outlined priorities that include reducing regulatory burdens on businesses, expanding affordable housing options, and strengthening public safety. He has argued that statewide policies often fail to account for the realities of rural communities, creating financial strain for cities and counties already operating with limited resources. Drawing on his city council experience, Benham said he has witnessed firsthand how state mandates affect municipal budgets and local decision-making. “I’ve seen how one-size-fits-all regulations don’t work

for rural communities, and how often our concerns fall on deaf ears,” he said. Ideologically, Benham identifies as a constitutional conservative, supporting limited government, individual liberty, and personal responsibility. He has also stated his support for Second Amendment rights, opposition to abortion, and advocacy for parental rights in education. While these positions align with traditional conservative values, Benham has emphasized that his campaign will focus on policy outcomes rather than partisan conflict. “I’m not interested in political games or scoring points,” he said. “I’m interested in results.” The race for House District 3 is expected to draw increased attention as Southern Oregon voters continue to voice concerns about economic pressures, housing availability, and representation at the state level. Benham’s campaign positions him as a locally rooted candidate seeking to bridge what he sees as a growing divide between Salem and the communities it governs. As the 2026 election cycle approaches, Benham’s candidacy adds a new dimension to the conversation about how effectively Southern Oregon’s interests are being represented in the Oregon Legislature, and whether voters are ready for a change in direction.

Federal Judge Dismisses DOJ Lawsuit Against Oregon, Citing Limits on Federal Power Over Voter Data By John Oliver A federal judge has formally dismissed a lawsuit brought by the U.S. Department of Justice against Oregon Secretary of State Tobias Read, ending a legal battle that centered on whether states can be compelled to turn over highly sensitive voter information to the federal government. The ruling, issued by U.S. District Court Judge Mustafa Kasubhai, makes final an earlier tentative decision to throw out the case. The lawsuit was part of a broader national effort by the U.S. Department of Justice to force states to provide access to private voter data, including full dates of birth, partial Social Security numbers, and complete driver’s license numbers. Oregon officials argued that the demands exceeded federal authority and posed serious risks to voter privacy and election integrity. The court ultimately agreed, concluding that the federal government lacked the legal basis to compel the state to release such information under the circumstances presented. The dismissal followed the introduction of a letter sent Saturday by U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi, which played a pivotal role in the court’s final decision. In the letter, Bondi indicated that the Trump administration intended to use voter data

into a brick wall in Oregon. We will not be bullied,” Read said in a statement following the decision. Read emphasized that Oregon’s refusal was grounded not in politics, but in legal and constitutional obligations. “The law still matters. They have no authority to force our hand. Oregon will not turn over private voter data to a federal government that has no respect for the American people or their rights,” he said. “Our duty is to the Constitution, to the rule of law, and to the people we serve, and we will continue to do our duty without hesitation.” The case had drawn national attention because of its broader implications. At issue was not only Oregon’s voter database, but the precedent such a lawsuit could set for states across the country. Election officials and civil liberties advoobtained from states to advance its immigration enforcement agenda. The correspondence also referenced Minnesota, suggesting that violence in that state would end if officials complied with several federal demands, including the transfer of voter data similar to what had been sought from Oregon. After reviewing the letter and hearing arguments from attorneys representing all interested parties, Judge Kasubhai dismissed the Oregon

case in full. The court found that the federal government’s position, as articulated in the letter and in court filings, underscored the constitutional and statutory limits on federal power when it comes to state-controlled election records. Oregon Secretary of State Tobias Read welcomed the ruling, framing it as a clear reaffirmation of state sovereignty and the rule of law. “This administration thinks they can push through every boundary, every check on their power, but they ran

•

see DOJ, page 5