A Life of Service & A Flat of Blueberries...

by Mary Sorteberg

21
Supporters 1,482
Raised $
 

In August of last year we decided Jeff should run against Gordon Smith, taking his experience in international affairs and passion for every day families to the U.S. Senate. I can assure you that we did not take this decision lightly; but we kept returning to the strong feeling that this was the right thing to do.

This is probably the hardest thing we will ever take on as a family. But it couldn’t be a better example of both of our desire to make the world a better place.

I will always remember a day last July before we decided to get into this race. I was on the phone talking about whether this was the right thing to do. Our daughter Brynne was in the kitchen and dropped a whole flat of blueberries. As I watched blueberries rolling all over the floor, I realized that Jeff was needed in Washington D.C. as much as I was needed in my kitchen.

For me, a life of service has meant serving the homeless, holding the hands of those destitute and dying in Calcutta, and nursing at one patient’s bedside at a time. I have always been struck by Mother Teresa’s call to save the world “one person at a time”.

Jeff’s approach to service has been different than mine. He has worked tirelessly over the past 10 years to make life better for those without a voice. As a state legislator and current Speaker of the Oregon House, Jeff is fighting for average Oregonians and the less advantaged, but on a larger scale: the whole state at one time! I have been awed by the number of lives he has been able to touch.

When Jeff and I got married, we vowed that we would support and encourage each other on the path to which we are called. Jeff is the one who helped me believe that going to Calcutta to work with Mother Teresa’s sisters was possible. Jeff supported me through those first difficult years after nursing school. Now I am joining Jeff in this journey to help change the direction of our country. It’s huge!

At its best, this campaign will be a debate over a vision for our country. But there will be no debate if Jeff’s voice is not heard. The financial resources are what will get his message of change out to all Oregonians. We need to raise about $7 million! So please think in bold terms.

Would you consider a donation of $25, $50 or more to help support Jeff and me, as we walk down this path that is so much bigger than ourselves?

I have never asked for money in Jeff’s other campaigns, but this is different—a campaign at this level is an enormous endeavor and I am 100% on board!

Mary for Merkley!!

Please join me,

Mary Sorteberg

P.S. We can’t do this without you. Please contribute today!