Sen. Wyden Schedules Eight Town Halls Including Florence Session

U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden announced a series of eight public town halls on Jan. 8, scheduling sessions across Oregon from Jan. 16 through Jan. 24. The senator will hold a Lane County town hall on Jan. 21 at 5 p.m. in the main gym at Siuslaw Middle School, 2525 Oak St., Florence. The events are open to all residents and are intended to gather constituent priorities for 2026.

The travel schedule covers eight counties and continues Wyden’s long-standing practice of holding at least one town hall in each Oregon county. The announcement noted that events will implement public-safety screening and asked attendees to avoid bringing backpacks or large bags. Local partners will assist at individual stops; the schedule includes dates, locations, and partner organizations for each session.

For Lane County residents, the Florence town hall presents a near-term chance to speak directly with a senior member of the Senate about federal policy and its local impacts. Town halls provide a platform for community concerns that can influence legislative attention and federal funding priorities, from infrastructure and health services to natural resource management and economic development. Local officials and service providers often use these forums to highlight regional needs and to seek federal support.

The choice of Siuslaw Middle School as the venue underscores the practical role schools play as civic centers in smaller communities. Expect heightened traffic and increased demand for nearby parking around the 5 p.m. start time, and plan for the announced security screening when arriving. Organizers encouraged broad participation from residents across Lane County, reflecting the senator’s stated intent to hear voices from diverse communities.

In a time when digital outreach is widespread, in-person town halls remain a direct mode of democratic engagement, allowing constituents to place local experiences in the context of national policy debates. For residents who want to weigh in on priorities for the coming year, the Jan. 21 meeting in Florence will be one of the most accessible opportunities to do so.