Hester Communications

Thoughts of a retired journalist and communications specialist on media, politics and messaging.

[Hester Communications @CustomHester]

This isn't as bad as companies moving. It's great for the Maleks - entrepreneurs should be rewarded. But it increases the odds the company eventually will be moved by new owners. Oregon needs to create an environment where companies grow & stay in Oregon. https://t.co/dleKtCLOu0

[Hester Communications @CustomHester]

Oregonians deserve a substantive policy debate from gubernatorial candidates instead of a steady diet of attack ads. Read the questions I'd like answered in this Oregon Roundup column. #2026elections https://t.co/iXEYmTfRqH

[Jeff Eager @Jeff_Eager]

NEW from .@CustomHester in Oregon Roundup.

OR faces huge policy problems.

Tina Kotek (D) and Christine Drazan (R) should answer specific questions about how they would fix, for example,

“What taxes, if any, would you reduce or eliminate?”

🔗 in reply 👇

[Hester Communications @CustomHester]

.@Jeff_Eager kicks off a new Oregon Roundup series on the #2026election with a focus on #taxes. (Paid subscribers) I'll have column (available to all subscribers) posting Sunday on questions I want both gubernatorial candidates to answer. https://t.co/48IO96BQlQ

[Hester Communications @CustomHester]

I can quibble with some of these grades (especially, post-Trump R) but agree with the overall theme that both parties have failed. The country's best hope is for a 3rd party to emerge to compete with Ds and Rs or replace one of them. #2026elections

[Nate Silver @NateSilver538]

I didn't want to let Paxton's massive win in the Texas runoff pass by without doing some reflection on the status of the Republican Party. So here's an attempt at a scorecard for grading party health.

[Hester Communications @CustomHester]

I'm watching closely to see if @GovTinaKotek does anything with this report before the #2026election. Note that the union alternative basically only creates union jobs & does nothing to stem the flight of wealth.
https://t.co/s44cnFv9rB

[Jeff Newgard @jeffnewgard]

Alternative Headline: "Architects of Oregon’s Affordability Crisis Pan Governor's Efforts to Address It." https://t.co/I9r6EeRuGM

[Hester Communications @CustomHester]

This #Senate race is fascinating. People who like Talarico most don't live in Texas, don't understand Texas and don't understand religion. Many with strong religious beliefs consider it worse to have the "wrong" beliefs than no beliefs. And that's how many Texans see Talarico.

[Dasha Burns @DashaBurns]

It’s official: Democrat James Talarico will face Ken Paxton in November after the Texas attorney general secured President Trump’s late endorsement.

I sat down with Talarico back in September to talk about his Senate campaign, how his faith shapes his politics, where Democrats are losing voters — and what the party can learn from another Texan: Beyoncé.

A conversation worth revisiting!

🔗: https://t.co/uqlPVrlaI5

[Hester Communications @CustomHester]

Strongly disagree with this headline. Public employee unions do not represent the grassroots. They are the most powerful special-interest group in Oregon. Special-interest ballot-harvesting made the difference.
https://t.co/uFK28ny1Uv

[Hester Communications @CustomHester]

Anti-law-enforcement sentiment isn't limited to the Portland city limits. Voters in more conservative Clackamas County and Tigard also rejected levies. Police levies & gas taxes seem to be the only #taxes metro area voters will reject. https://t.co/r20cPbmfau

[Hester Communications @CustomHester]

This is an attempt to link two issues that have nothing in common. In reality, he's also asking young black athletes to accept less $ to help him score political points. The #Big10 is the only conference that can match #SEC $ and they can't sign everyone.

[The Hill @thehill]

Jeffries, Black Caucus amplify calls for athletes to boycott SEC over Southern redistricting
https://t.co/JW1DXMXEtC

[Hester Communications @CustomHester]

@based_in_faith @Jeff_Eager I'm skeptical of his ability to win in November, but it's an uphill battle for any of the Republicans even though the top four all have strengths. Too bad the majority party never offers that many viable candidates. Even for progressives, they still offer limited choices.

[Hester Communications @CustomHester]

.@Jeff_Eager looks at what might happen once the votes in the Republican Primary are counted. (Today is the last day to mail or drop off your ballot.) Too many variables for a firm prediction but Jeff looks at some key factors. https://t.co/QaVHj7DgEz

[Hester Communications @CustomHester]

In a related column, I look at the flaws in Oregon's primary system. https://t.co/hYaAK1mV0T

[Hester Communications @CustomHester]

Tomorrow is the deadline to mail or turn in your primary ballot. My latest Oregon Roundup column is on the many flaws of Oregon primary #elections system. It effectively determines who will hold most offices in the state but 45% of voters are locked out. https://t.co/hYaAK1mV0T

[Hester Communications @CustomHester]

@jpodhoretz They also like any Republican who hates Trump. That's a big part of their Massie stance.

[Hester Communications @CustomHester]

Agree with @horvick. All things considered, these are pretty good results for @MayorKWilson. Policies aside, he's the most likable high-profile elected official in Oregon. City Council, meanwhile, is as ineffective and unlikable as Congress. https://t.co/RNLVFro6F0

[Hester Communications @CustomHester]

"The state’s future prosperity depends on recognizing that Oregon is now competing for people, businesses, talent and investment in ways unlike any point in our history." The Prosperity Council is right. Will #orleg and @GovTinaKotek follow their advice?
https://t.co/OyuHugnGBp

[Hester Communications @CustomHester]

@barttels2 @horvick Multonomah always votes late, plus there are few if any competitive races. There aren't any Republicans, so the interesting (but not necessarily close) R primary for governor doesn't have much impact.

[Hester Communications @CustomHester]

My next Oregon Roundup column will be on the flaws of Oregon's primary system. Too few people get to vote and too few races are contested. Usually, where there is a contest it's because unions are trying to unseat someone who wasn't adequately subservient. https://t.co/kYfAYxnK7I