First 100 days: How Trump has mobilized the left and inspired the right in Oregon

By Anna Marum – The Oregonian/OregonLive

Posted Apr 29, 2017 on oregonlive.com

Throughout Oregon, Trump's actions seen as hostile to immigrants, transgender students and abortion providers have shocked the left into action.

"We've seen our membership triple, almost quadruple in Oregon since the election," said Sarah Armstrong, spokeswoman for ACLU of Oregon.

With nearly every of Trump's moves, paid memberships keep rolling in. The American Civil Liberties Union isn't alone in its post-election boost. Other progressive groups with a presence in Oregon report an increase in donations, volunteers and event participation.

Amy Herzfeld-Copple, co-executive director of Basic Rights Oregon, said the gay- and transgender-rights group recently had its biggest lobbying day in Salem in nearly a decade.

They were hoping for a turnout of 75. About 125 people showed up, she said. Usually, attendees hail from the Portland area. This time, residents from Bend, Ontario, Pendleton and Ashland made the trip too, she said.

"We're seeing re-engagement from donors and volunteers who haven't been very involved since winning the freedom to marry," she said.

Meanwhile, rural Oregonians who voted for Trump are heartened by the appointment of Judge Neil Gorsuch to the U.S. Supreme Court and are optimistic that the president will ease regulations on land management.

Dan Joyce, who heads Malheur County's board of commissioners, said he's counting on Trump to overhaul burdensome regulations.

"That would make a tremendous difference," he said. "The optimism is that we might get it this time, even if there's a short window."

Kathy Shindler, who chairs the Republican Party of Curry County, said she's pleased with Trump's recent appointment of former Montana Congressman Ryan Zinke to manage federal lands. Zinke has supported legislation for increased conservation and recreation on public lands, but has also pushed for increased drilling and coal mining in the West.

For Shindler, Trump's election means that rural Americans are getting the representation they deserve. Now, she's hoping elected officials on both sides can put politics behind them and get to work.

"As a country we need to pull together, and see what can we do for the good of all," she said.

-- Anna Marum

amarum@oregonian.com
503-294-5911
@annamarum