Larry Morgan

In just a few short years, we have witnessed a pattern too dark to dismiss:
• The plot to kidnap Governor Gretchen Whitmer.
• The storming of the Capitol, with pipe bombs planted at the RNC and DNC.
• The break-in to kidnap Nancy Pelosi and the brutal attack on Paul Pelosi.
• Multiple assassination attempts against Donald Trump.
• The assassination of Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, and the shooting of State Senator John Hoffman and his wife.
• The killing of Brian Thompson by Luigi Mangione.
• The assassination of Charlie Kirk.

Political violence is contagious. It spreads like fire in dry grass. It is not confined to one party, one ideology, or one belief system. And it should terrify us all.

The foundation of a free society is not agreement—it is the ability to participate in public life without fear of violence. Every act of political violence, no matter against whom it is directed, is an attack on us all. To ignore that truth is to blind ourselves.

Life is precious. Fleeting. Fragile.

Tonight, as I step away for some much-needed rest, I’m reminded of the old ballad One Tin Soldier. Written as an anti-war song in the 1970s, it tells of the Mountain People, who hold a treasure, and the Valley People, who come to claim it. The Mountain People offer to share, but the Valley People demand it all. In the end, they slaughter the Mountain People, only to discover the “treasure” was nothing more than a stone carved with the words peace on earth.

The treasure we are destroying each other for is as hollow as that rock.

Another era had its own warnings. Lincoln, standing on the edge of civil war, pleaded with his countrymen: “We are not enemies, but friends. We must not be enemies. Though passion may have strained, it must not break our bonds of affection. The mystic chords of memory will swell when again touched, as surely they will be, by the better angels of our nature.”

We have lost that music. The chords are quiet now, drowned out by anger, tribalism, and suspicion. But they are not gone.

In closing, let me say this as plainly as I know how: you cannot fully love this country if you hate half the people in it.

If we do not change course, our future will be written not in triumph but in tragedy. The song will end, but not as we had hoped—just one tin soldier, riding away.

This is a loss not only for Oregon, but also for those of us who still believe that local government and institutions matter.

Mayor Lueb has been more than a great mayor—she has been a devoted mother, wife, and friend to many. She will be deeply missed.

I’ve had the privilege of getting to know her firsthand, and I can say without hesitation that her leadership, her courage, and her humanity have left an indelible mark. She has represented her city with pride, elevated Tigard’s voice regionally and nationally, and fought tirelessly for the values of accessibility, accountability, and community.

Public service at this level comes with a heavy toll, often unseen. It demands more than most people will ever know, and she carried it with strength and integrity.

We should honor her decision to step back as much as we honor the years she stepped forward on behalf of her community. Thank you, Mayor Lueb, for reminding us that local leadership still matters, and for giving so much of yourself in the service of others.

Troutdale & Fairview friends — quick heads-up!

Please take a moment to review your most recent utility bill, especially if you’re on autopay — a few important changes may have flown under the radar:

🔹 Troutdale – A new $15/month Police & Fire Safety Fee
🔹 Fairview – A new $20/month Public Safety Fee

This might be the first time you’re noticing it, so just wanted to spread the word.

📖 For more info:
🔗 Troutdale: troutdaleoregon.gov/finance/page/police-and-fire-services-fee
🔗 Fairview: fairvieworegon.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=775

Please share so neighbors and friends are aware.

Tonight, I was elected to serve on the Board of Directors for Mt. Hood Community College—an honor I won’t soon forget.

Never in a million years did I imagine that the college I attended right out of high school would be the very place that would change the course of my life. From becoming student body president in 2010 winning by just two votes, to advocating for students in Washington, D.C., and even overseas in Israel—Mt. Hood has shaped who I am.

Life has a way of coming full circle. And tonight, that circle closed with gratitude, joy, and a deep sense of responsibility.

We celebrate tonight. Tomorrow, the real work begins.

Rebuilding trust with our community won’t happen overnight, but it must happen—and it starts now. While it appears the college’s bond measure for facility upgrades will fall short, we now have a duty to listen. To reflect. To learn what this community is willing to support—and to meet them there.

Thank you for believing in this moment. Let’s get to work

I was honored to attend today’s Oregon Legislature Ways and Means Roadshow, held right here at Mt. Hood Community College. Our state faces some tough financial decisions, but it was powerful to witness dynamic and heartfelt testimony from people across our region.

Having this important conversation take place on the Mt. Hood campus was a great reminder of the college’s role—not just in education, but in bringing our community together and engaging in the issues that shape our future.

Big Endorsement

Tonight, I received word that the Full-Time Faculty Association at Mt. Hood Community College unanimously voted to endorse my candidacy for the MHCC Board.

I’m incredibly honored to have earned their support and deeply grateful for the trust they’ve placed in me. Our faculty are the backbone of Mt. Hood, shaping futures and expanding opportunities for students across our greater community. I look forward to working alongside them to ensure MHCC continues to be a place of access, excellence, and opportunity for all.

Onward!

Some will say it’s just a game, and they are correct. Others will point to the near misses, the heartbreaks, and the long road it took to get here, and they should. But the story of Head Coach Tom Johnson is bigger than basketball—it is a testament to resilience, perseverance, and the quiet strength of a man who has spent four decades shaping young lives, molding character, and standing unwavering in his values.

Last night was the culmination of everything we were told growing up: that hard work, doing things the right way, and being a good person still matter. After nearly 40 years at the helm of the Barlow Bruins, through seasons of triumph and seasons of pain, through personal hardships that would break lesser men, Coach Johnson finally secured his first 6A OSAA Boys Basketball State Championship in a fierce battle against Jesuit, 61-55, in front of a packed Chiles Center.

There aren’t enough moments in this world where good people, those who lead with integrity and selflessness, get the reward they deserve. Last night was one of those moments. It was everything that is right.

Tonight we are all Bruins!
💙💛

🤔

My message to my council and community last night...

“As we approach our council's summer break and the filing deadline for the upcoming general election, I wanted to take a moment to inform you all of my intentions moving forward.

After careful consideration, and seeking the counsel of my amazing and supportive wife, Chausse, I have decided NOT to seek a third term on council or a 2nd term as your Mayor.

These past 7 and a half years have been an absolute pleasure, but the time has come to step aside and allow someone else to lead this city and to work alongside the next city council.

All that to say you're not getting rid of me quite yet! We still have 5 months of work to do to set up the next council to be as successful as possible for all of Troutdale and East County.

I appreciate each and every one of you and look forward to the good work we still GET to do in the next few months.”

More information to come as the year winds down but I want to thank EVERYONE who trusted me to lead this great city. Your trust and dedication is not lost on me or my council.

Feel free to reach out with any questions or concerns and I’m always free for coffee!

Making sure this thing is still on...

I've had the honor of stepping away from publicly elected life to recharge and find other ways to help, this community, our state, and the people that I love. Since doing so, our problems haven’t improved; they’ve increased. Bombast has replaced bipartisanship, and platitudes have replaced solutions, leaving folks fed up.

I started as a young kid with big hopes, and now, as a young man seeing big opportunities, I'm going to spend the next few weeks determining where I can make the biggest impact—elected or otherwise.

Stay tuned, but it feels good to be back.

😉