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Foremost, fellow eOregonians, I ask that you exercise your right to vote on February 25th, regardless of your choice.

Secondarily, I am asking for your vote on February 25th, 2009.

A couple of days ago, I took the opportunity to once again evaluate my current and previous term as the congressional representative for eOregon. I believe that, as always, it is critical to determine whether or not I have served your interests well, and more importantly, whether I can continue to successfully represent you. It’s probably best to share with you that it is not an easy performance review, especially in light of the many challenges that faced us all since January 25th. There are times when I have succeeded on your behalf, and there are times when I have not been as successful on your behalf.

I found out the other day that, in December, when you first elected me, I was one of the youngest Congressional reps ever elected (based on experience), which magnifies my vigilance to make certain that I am fulfilling my commitments to the citizens of eOregon that provided that opportunity. I take the office very seriously and, while I have made many great friends in Congress, my first and foremost allegiance is to Oregon and the eUS as a whole.

With all this weighed in the balance, I want to add a few items for your consideration in determining whether I am deserving of another opportunity to represent you:

I have never taken a day off from my responsibilities as your representative and I have never missed a vote on any proposal, my ethic is that, if you are going to trust me to represent you, I am going to do so with a clear focus toward accomplishing something each and every day for you.

I do not own a company, therefore I have limited bias toward any industry (except food, because I like to eat daily when possible). I pay my taxes and work toward that next Hard Worker Medal, just the same as you. I do own and organization called eNation Financial which I use to dabble occasionally in the monetary market and basically provide additional storage. I am very challenged by the fact that sometimes the media paints all members of Congress as rich or vested in business interests…while that may be true for some…I can guarantee you that it is not for me (though I wish at times is was). I generally spend my money and time helping newbies as I have the opportunity, because I was there and I know what it is like. Sometimes it sucks, so its cool and make the game a lot more enjoyable when someone takes an interest in helping.

I fight whenever possible, but I have never left eOregon to do so. Most would say that this is not making the most of the opportunity presented by going to Florida, but I represent the people of eOregon, and frankly, if you have to use a Q3 hospital because you can’t afford the moving ticket or have no desire to move, then I am going to as well. Perhaps stupid in game terms, but critical when staying connected to the experience of many eOregonians.

When I first ran in December, I said that I was running to give eOregonians a voice on the national stage, whether I have done so I will leave up to those on the national stage. But being the loudest, or most persistent, does not equate to influence…and a voice without influence is just noise. I believe that I have successfully been a strong voice, your voice, of influence in Congress.
I have been told that in order to keep my position of influence, it would be easier to move to another region and run unopposed or against a less active incumbent, and, while this may be true, I am not seeking an office for the sake of having an office. I am an eOregonian in eRep and I am an Oregonian in RL, I prefer to have eOregonians decide my path in politics.

It has been an honor serving your interests in Congress, I am asking that you consider returning me there to continue as your representative.

But whatever your choice, Vote!