As a fellow Eastern Oregon mayor, I have come to admire Dave Drotzmann’s hard work and accomplishments on behalf of our region’s largest city. That is why I am throwing my full support behind Dave for state senator in District 29.

Not only does Dave embody our conservative values — including Second Amendment rights and the right to life — his leadership has helped usher in a new era of economic growth and opportunity. By making smart investments in infrastructure, Hermiston boasts an impressive pipeline of 2,000 new houses and has seen the creation of 1,200 new jobs over his tenure as mayor.

In Boardman and Morrow County, our economy is closely intertwined with Hermiston, and their successes have simultaneously helped to spur our own local growth. In that regard, Dave has been an invaluable partner to strengthen the entire Columbia Basin. I am confident that he will bring this same spirit of prudent stewardship and community empowerment to the Oregon Senate.

I wholeheartedly endorse Dave Drotzmann in the Republican primary on May 21, and I encourage my fellow citizens to join me in casting their votes for a leader who will truly make a difference.

Paul Keefer

Boardman mayor