A warning, Virginia mentions events of sexual assault and abuse in this pod. Listener discretion is advised.

That potato guy Zack Surmacz is back to interview Virginia about HOW, WHAT, and WHY she ever chose to open herself up to public scrutiny and run for office. But PLOT TWIST, if you know Virginia and Vik, you already know this episode gets into the WHO. We promise you will absolutely love this episode and we hope it encourages you to join the bench, hop off the bench, or join us in our work!

Play Map By Bruce Snider

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This podcast was recorded on Thursday, October 2. Some developments may have taken place since then.

Chris Hoy joins Virginia to give us all an update on the State of Downtown Meeting that occurred last week which was hosted by the Salem Mainstreet group. Things got a little bizarre at 8 AM. Chris also gives us a follow up on the investigation into the ethics of our Salem Mayor and City Council and asks the question, why didn't the mayor sign a letter alongside the mayors of Oregon's other major cities to oppose the President's deployment of the National Guard in Portland?

Learn more:

Brian Hines Blog

Salem Reporter Article

Statesman Journal Article

Petition to hold Mayor Julie Hoy accountable

The Next Salem City Council meeting is October 13th at 6 PM at the Salem Library Auditorium.

Get Loud, Stay Loud

Welp, brats, the 2025 Legislative long session has ended and we're here to report on our first Salem area Representative's performance. Representative Kevin Mannix gets a D+ for effort and lightbulbs this session. Yes, lightbulbs. We didn't get the payment in lieu of taxes we needed or that Capitol District, but we did get some astroturf (a parking lot) in Keizer. Want to make sure we have better elected officials representing us? Join us below.

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This episode was originally published December 5, 2024. It's also one of Vik's favorites.

Trigger warning: Virginia does mention assault, neglect, and abuse in this episode.

In this bonus episode, Virginia let's us all in on a bit of her deconstruction, personal healing, and why she advocated so hard for Salem in the process of getting the payroll tax across the finish line at council. Thanks for being here with us!

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What's happening, brats! This episode is the collaboration you never knew you needed. Jacob from whatshappeningsalem joins us on the pod this week to talk all things we love in Salem, local media, maximalism, grief, and an in depth discussion into understanding that equitable payroll tax (and the often omitted sunset date) the former City Council tried to get across the finish line at the 11th hour to save emergency services in Salem.

Remember, it's easy to be against something. We hope you all have the courage to be FOR something.

Upcoming Events:

Whats Happening Salem's Community Booster Award Show

Grand Theater, October 3, Doors open at 6 PM. Show runs 7:00–8:30 PM. Cocktail attire.

Instagram: whatshappeningsalem

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This week Representative Sarah Finger McDonald joins us all the way from Corvallis to talk about how she got her start in politics--and trust us--its not what you think. We know you'll come to love her as much as we do! Now, onto actionable items:

TAKE THE OPPOSITION RESEARCH SURVEY AND LET THEM KNOW YOU VALUE CHERRIOTS AND PUBLIC TRANSIT

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Weekend FREE Events:

Friday Sept 19, Stefani Gallery Downtown Salem, 5 PM, Jesus Escobar Art Show

Saturday September 20, PRIDE in the Park, 11 AM - 6 PM, Riverfront Park

Sunday September 21, LUS Urban Arts Festival, 3-8 PM, Riverfront Park

JOIN VIRGINIA'S CAMPAIGN FOR STATE SENATE

⁠DONATE TO THE CAMPAIGN - EARLY MONEY IS SO POWERFUL⁠

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VISIT THE CAMPAIGN WEBSITE

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email us: [email protected]

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The rumors are true! Virginia is running for Senate District 11 (Salem, Keizer, Woodburn, Gervais). Hear a little bit about her campaign priorities and how to get involved. We need your help to make this campaign a success! We believe in the strength of our community. We know that together, we can build a future of opportunity for all of us. Para todos.

JOIN THE CAMPAIGN

DONATE TO THE CAMPAIGN - EARLY MONEY IS SO POWERFUL

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Bluesky: Demobrats

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email us: [email protected]

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Representative Lesly Muñoz is back to speak with us about all the impacts on residents in her district from federal immigration policies as well as the Marion County Commissioners lawsuit concerning Oregon's sanctuary law. We also discuss upcoming 2026 elections, bikes, and more. You don't want to miss this one!

To read Representative Javadi's Substack, CLICK HERE

Get out there and stay loud.

If you have questions, topics you'd love discussed, or want to advertise on the pod, contact us:

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Join us Mondays at 8 AM for Willamette Wake-Up on KMUZ Radio! 100.7 FM / 88.5 FM

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We've missed y'all! 👯 We're back and we're catching you up on all the things. In our lives, pop culture, Salem happenings, and what's to come this month. And we're serious about that free leaf haul and a downtown grocery store. Please contact your city councilors here.

Las Jarochitas - 3282 Silverton Rd NE

Locals Donuts - Check instagram for locations

Get out there and stay loud.

If you have questions, topics you'd love discussed, or want to advertise on the pod, contact us:

BUY MERCH: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://demobrats.printify.me/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Tiktok: VirginiaStapleton / TellYourFriendsV

Bluesky: Demobrats

Instagram:VoteVirginiaStapleton // Tellyourfriendsoregon

Facebook: Elect Virginia Stapleton

email us: [email protected]

Join us Mondays at 8 AM for Willamette Wake-Up on KMUZ Radio! 100.7 FM / 88.5 FM

Stream demobrats on Youtube on the CC Media Channel

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More than a handshake was offered when a legal agreement was made by multiple parties to expand transit service in Salem seven years ago--or so we thought. Sara Duncan and Maria Hinojos Pressey join us from Salem's Mass Transit District Board of Directors (Cherriots) to explain what all the brouhaha in the news was about our local business community making an investment in our transit system. Transportation is freedom and Salem's residents are demanding an expanded service network. If we want to have the thriving, bustling city we all dream of, then yes, even the business community is going to have to make the same kind of financial investments homeowners have made (But hey...that' just our opinion).

Read the Salem Reporter's coverage of this here.

Get out there and stay loud.

If you have questions, topics you'd love discussed, or want to advertise on the pod, contact us:

BUY MERCH: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://demobrats.printify.me/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Tiktok: VirginiaStapleton / TellYourFriendsV

Bluesky: Demobrats

Instagram:VoteVirginiaStapleton // Tellyourfriendsoregon

Facebook: Elect Virginia Stapleton

email us: [email protected]

Join us Mondays at 8 AM for Willamette Wake-Up on KMUZ Radio! 100.7 FM / 88.5 FM

Stream demobrats on Youtube on the CC Media Channel

Be sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode!