FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Elaine Franklin January 29, 2014

Oregon Republicans Unite for Freedom to Marry Launch “Freedom ;” Announce NBA center Jason Collins will Headline February 20th Kick-off Event

Portland, OR – The freedom to marry is not a partisan issue. That is the message underscored by a group of Republican leaders and activists who joined together in support of the right of all Oregonians to express their love and commitment to one another through marriage. By announcing their coalition, Freedom Oregon, the group will be the voice for Republican and center-right independents who support marriage equality in Oregon.

“We are embracing the historic opportunity to extend freedom to all Oregonians,” said Elaine Franklin, a key leader in Freedom Oregon. “Love and commitment are the foundations of faith and family, and they are the values that inform our coalition’s support for the freedom to marry. We intend to take this message to Republicans in Oregon and argue that our shared values of freedom, faith, and family should persuade them to support marriage equality.”

Freedom Oregon has scheduled a kick-off event on February 20th at Cerulean Wine Bar in Portland and NBA player Jason Collins, fresh off his attendance as the ’s guest at the State of the Union, will headline the event. Franklin also announced the formation of Freedom Oregon PAC, which will help fund the group’s activities, and the creation of a Freedom Oregon page with nearly 1000 followers to date.

Andrew Miller, CEO of Stimson Lumber and supporter of many Republican candidates and causes, is a member of Freedom Oregon. “By uniting for marriage equality, Freedom Oregon is showcasing Oregon Republicanism at its very best," said Miller. “Government cannot dictate who we love and it should not dictate who we marry.”

Freedom Oregon is an independent organization, but it will coordinate with the larger Oregonians United for Marriage campaign and other groups focused on passage of the marriage equality initiative.

Members of the all-volunteer Freedom Oregon leadership team include:

• Former Oregon Attorney General Dave Frohnmayer • Former Secretary of State Norma Paulus • Former U.S. Senator Bob Packwood • State Representative Jim Thompson • State Representative • Ambassador Bill McCormick • Elaine Franklin, campaign consultant • Angela Wilhelms, former Chief of Staff to Oregon House Republican Caucus • Doug Badger, Executive Director of Oregon Bush / Cheney ‘04 • Brianne Hyder, former Communications Director of • Patrick Donaldson, Multnomah County chair for Bush / Cheney ’00 and ‘04 • Carley Osborne, Political Director, Gordon Smith for U.S. Senate, 2008 • Alexis Wolfe, board member of Emerging Leaders of Oregon • Dan Occhipinti, attorney and board member of Emerging Leaders of Oregon • Brendan Monaghan, Political Consultant • Tiffany Grabenhorst, Republican fundraiser • Rich Weissman, Portland business owner • Katy Prewitt, active Portland Republican • James Owens, Chair of Oregon • Hillary Bounds, attorney and active Portland Republican • Tony Dal Ponte, attorney and board member of Emerging Leaders of Oregon • Kate Firmin, former Republican National Committee staff • Donald Handeland, Chair of Oregon State University • Julia Rabadi, Co-President of Young Conservatives of Oregon

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About Freedom Oregon

Freedom Oregon is an all-volunteer coalition of Republicans and center-right Independent and non-affiliated voters who are committed to helping pass Oregon’s Freedom to Marry initiative in the 2014 election cycle.