2024
Ashland Candidate Forums

 
As a service for the community, each election year the Ashland Chamber of Commerce hosts and sponsors Fall Legislative Candidate Forums.  For the 2024 Election, the Ashland Chamber recorded Legislative Forums for the following positions: State Representative (District 5), Jackson County Commissioner (Position 2), Ashland City Council (Positions 1, 2 & 3) and Ashland Parks & Recreation Commissioner (Positions 1 & 2).

Questions for the Forums were created by the Chamber's Legislative Committee. The discussion was moderated by Ashland Chamber Eli Katkin, owner of the Brickroom restaurant with facilitation of the Council forums by Past President Mary Gardiner. They were filmed at the SOU Digital Media Center - RVTV Studios. 
These videos can be watched below by clicking on the YouTube links below.
The forums will also be broadcast on the following media outlets throughout the month of October until Election Day - November 5th, 2024:
Television Stations
The forums will be aired locally on the following channels: 

• RVTV Prime (Ashland TV channel 9, Charter channel 180)
• RVTV Civic (Ashland TV channel 14, Charter channel 181)
• RVTV Voices Channel 15/182 

The Ashland Chamber of Commerce’s Legislative mission is to provide an opportunity for our members and the greater community to learn about candidates for office and issues. Unlike traditional Chamber models, the Ashland Chamber chooses not to have a Political Action Committee that supports candidates for office. We are not current members of the US Chamber, nor are we involved in their political action.

The Ashland Chamber is a 135 year old organization with over 500+ members that includes not only Ashland's largest employers such as Southern Oregon University, Ashland Community Hospital and the Oregon Shakespeare Festival but also many smaller businesses with 1-5 employees. The Chamber serves as the main point of contact for business expansion, relocation, networking and resource connections and operates Travel Ashland inspiring people to visit Ashland.
 
The Forum is an example of the many outreach programs and activities produced by the Chamber including the Ashland 4th of July Parade, Ashland Mystery Festival, Children’s Halloween Celebration and the Festival of Light. Smokewise Ashland and our Emergency Preparedness efforts are examples of a strong collaboration by the Chamber, the Ashland Fire Department and the City’s Emergency Preparedness to make sure our businesses and community are prepared in case of wildfire and smoke events. We believe in collaboration and effective relationships which we hold dear.
 

Council Position 1

Council Position 2

Council Position 3

Parks & Rec Position 1

Parks & Rec Position 2

Jackson County Commissioner Position 2

Oregon State Representative District 5