The 2025 Dorchester Conference served as more than just a reunion of Oregon Republicans — it was a declaration. A declaration that the grassroots are awake, the leadership is aligned, and the battle to reclaim Oregon is in motion.
Recorded live from Welch’s, Oregon, this special episode of the Oregon D.O.G.E. podcast is packed with interviews and conversations from party leaders, sitting legislators, county commissioners, grassroots organizers, and pro-life advocates. From backroom strategy to bold vision casting, Dorchester Day 1 captures the energy and urgency of the conservative movement in real time.
Key Voices, Real Issues
You’ll hear from:
- Sen. Mike McLane, who opens the episode reflecting on the conference’s legacy and why government efficiency matters now more than ever.
- Sen. Bruce Starr and Dan Mason, offering historical and strategic insights, including the RNC’s voter integrity efforts.
- Rep. Jeff Helfrich, who discusses launching the “Back to Basics” movement and podcast to cut through political noise with practical conservative solutions.
- Tracy Honl, ORP National Committeewoman, on building national coalitions and forming a blue-state caucus within the RNC.
- Connie Whelchel, newly appointed ORP Chair, emphasizing her mission to unite factions, fundraise, and recruit grassroots energy to elect Republicans across Oregon.
What’s Broken — and What’s Next
The podcast covers a range of serious issues:
- Oregon’s failing education rankings
- The collapse of housing targets and accountability in Governor Kotek’s plan
- Clackamas County’s political turmoil
- Portland’s “doom loop” and rising homelessness
- Drug policy, including the fallout of Measure 110 and rampant fentanyl use
- Voter registration drives and the importance of precinct committee people (PCPs)
Throughout the conversations, guests express frustration with Oregon’s current leadership — but they also express hope. From pro-life activism (highlighted by a moving segment with Hopes Garden maternity home) to ideas for statewide recovery, the episode showcases a coalition forming with clarity and purpose.
The Bottom Line
Oregon conservatives are not just angry — they’re organized. And they’re using events like Dorchester to forge relationships, build strategy, and reignite a political movement that places faith, family, freedom, and common sense at the core.