Episode 10 of Oregon D.O.G.E. takes a break from the policy grind to showcase the people behind the podiums. Host Senator Daniel Bonham brings together several Republican lawmakers—including Sen. Diane Linthicum, Sen. Todd Nash, Sen. Noah Robinson, Sen. David Brock Smith, Sen. Mike McLane, and Sen. Bruce Starr—for a roundtable of reflections, introductions, and real talk about life in Oregon politics.
This episode pulls back the curtain on:
- What inspired these senators to run
- How family, faith, and background shape their work
- The culture shock of moving from rural life to the legislature
- Grief, legacy, and finding purpose in public service
- The challenges of bureaucracy, budget deficits, and public trust
From the heartache of personal loss to the drive to represent forgotten communities, this episode humanizes politics at a time when the system feels more distant than ever.
🎙 Topics You’ll Hear:
- Inside the transition from staffer to senator
- Balancing ranch life, family, and politics
- The impact of public disengagement in modern legislative processes
- How Portland’s “doom loop” is affecting statewide policy
- National debt, political posturing, and what’s broken in DC
- What these lawmakers hope voters truly understand before 2024
The conversation isn’t just personal—it’s loaded with commentary on real issues:
- Declining public engagement and grassroots influence
- Form email campaigns replacing genuine civic action
- A bloated Oregon budget increasingly dependent on federal dollars
- Calls for fiscal responsibility at both state and national levels
If you’re tired of the polished talking points and want a raw look at the people actually showing up in Salem, this episode delivers.