MAYOR
With a slight difference in votes received between Kitty Piercy and Jim Torrey, and 31 percent of the votes in at 2 a.m., Eugene’s mayoral race is playing out in the general election much like it did in the primary election. As of press time, Torrey trailed by 485 votes.
Big business or a sustained environment? Eugene’s mayoral race highlights this longtime debate within the local community.
In her time as mayor, Piercy concentrated on cleaning up Eugene’s downtown, used environmentally responsible tactics to grow business, and prioritized youth programs. Most of Piercy’s campaign money was collected from individuals who believed in her campaign and judgment regarding city issues.
“I am very grateful that everyday people’s belief in me was strong enough to inspire them to donate to my campaign even when financially times are tough for them,” Piercy said Tuesday.
Supporters of Piercy wish to keep her in office because of her personal approach to green job growth and green technology.
“She’s a human being, not a mindless corporate robot. I believe people are responsive to her conscious attempts to get the tough job done,” campaign volunteer Joanne Chapito said.
Meanwhile, Torrey’s Independent Party affiliation portrays his practical approach to the city’s issues. Some of Torrey’s goals are to loosen business codes to avoid stagnating new business growth, develop work-force ready programs for high schools and community colleges, and work across party lines to accomplish other city goals.
“If I was elected mayor, the first thing I would do is call the four city councilors that supported Piercy and set up a lunch where we could figure out what issues we could begin to work together on,” Torrey said on Election Day.
Lagging behind by a slim vote count, Torrey refuses to give up.
“It’s not over til it is over, however, I am going to sleep well regardless of the results,” Torrey said. “That doesn’t mean I’m not going to be disappointed if I don’t win, it just means if I don’t win I am going to continue working for the city by being an active citizen instead of as mayor.”
[email protected]
————————————————-
LANE COUNTY COMMISSIONER
Incumbent Lane County Commissioner Bobby Green walked into an unfortunately familiar situation Tuesday night. With newcomer Rob Handy leading the race with a narrow 4 percent margin at 2 a.m., the situation reflected the primary as of press time.
Handy led a strong grassroots campaign in an effort to prove to voters that a ballot check for him is a vote for a county commissioner who makes himself available to constituents. Handy knocked on some 12,000doors in the North Eugene district.
“I thought it was neat when I heard he was going door to door, but it wasn’t until he visited me that it made all the difference. His early interest in everyday people deserved my vote,” said Lane Community College math professor Steven Myers.
Some of Handy’s goals are to protect the forests against old growth cutting, look at establishing family wage jobs in the community, and make the county commissioner more accessible to the citizens who are affected by the county’s decisions.
Unlike Handy, who spent the majority of his career as a small business owner, Green spent the past 12 years working for Lane County citizens.
Green was an instrumental force in attracting the 2008 U.S. Olympic Track and Field Trials to Eugene. He worked across state and county lines as one of the leaders who helped draft the Federal Forest Payments and County Service document, which covered the impact the loss of timber payments would have on counties and the state of Oregon. His broad base of support highlights the number of constituents who are happy with his job so far.
“I like the history we have had with Bobby Green,” said supporter and volunteer Kathy Cooks.
Trailing by only 266 votes as of press time, Green admits the race has been a tough one. However, he hopes to share a victory in light of the exciting presidential race.
“It has been a fun night,” Green said. “I would be proud to be re-elected in such a historically significant time.”
[email protected]
————————————————-
SECRETARY OF STATE
As of press time early Wednesday morning, Democratic Sen. Kate Brown led the secretary of state race by a margin of 4 percent over GOP candidate Rick Dancer.
However, Dancer held the lead in Lane County.
Brown, who has dedicated nearly one-third of her life to politics, has 16 years of leadership and public policy experience in Oregon politics as a senator and representative. Her platform included her push for a “greener Oregon,” and she supports a partisan office.
Dancer put his broadcast journalism career at KEZI on the back-burner to hike the political trail for the first time. He supports a non-partisan office and the open primary.
“I’ve seen him do a lot for the community in the past few years, and I like how he’s impartial,” Springfield resident Caryle Tylerkays said. “He’s the only Republican I voted for.”
“Rick (Dancer) is too conservative for my taste, even for a non-partisan,” said Lisa Digiovinni, a Brown supporter. “I don’t want Oregon to be just the nation’s leader in renewable resources and energy. I want this state to be the No. 1 example for the world.”
[email protected]
————————————————
STATE TREASURER
As of press time, 54 percent of precincts had reported. Democrat Ben Westlund held a four-point lead over Republican Allen Alley in the race for Oregon state treasurer. Westlund had garnered 489,102 votes, or 50 percent of the votes, while Alley had 449,306 votes to his name, or 46 percent of the vote.
[email protected]
————————————————-