University sophomore Garrett Hinds, who is facing four other candidates for the Lane County Board of Commissioners, says he’s optimistic about his chances of unseating incumbent Bill Dwyer.
And he said he wants to bring a new voice to the seat representing Springfield.
“I think I have a great chance of winning,” Hinds said. “People are tired of management politics … they want something new.”
The Springfield seat, one of two county seats up for grabs in the May 21 primary election, pays a healthy sum of $53,414 each year for a four-year term.
Hinds, a pre-business major living in Springfield, said he brings unique experience to the table that his competitors don’t have.
“I grew up here — I know the area well,” Hinds said. He was junior class president at Springfield High School, where he graduated in 2000, and served on a local bicycle and transportation committee in Springfield before Gov. John Kitzhaber appointed him that year to the eight-member Oregon Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee.
Hinds is currently vice chairman of the committee, which has a $5 million budget and is responsible for finding transportation solutions for communities across the state.
“I bet you $100 bucks I’ll be chairman tomorrow,” he said with a grin.
Hinds is cheerful about the political battle he faces, despite being the only student in a race against opponents with more experience and more money.
State Labor Commissioner Jack Roberts, who served five years as North Eugene’s commissioner and is currently running for governor, said Hinds should stay in the race even if the odds are against him.
“Frankly, a student has a better chance vying for a legislative seat,” Roberts said. “I wouldn’t discourage anyone from running, I just don’t think they should have unrealistic expectations.”
Hinds’ opponent Tom Atkinson said he’s not too concerned about his student competitor.
“He would be at best a very, very long shot,” Atkinson said.
But another opponent, Mark Jaehnig, said Hinds is a legitimate contender.
“I take everyone seriously,” said Jaehnig. “We all have issues that we want to see taken care of.”
One of Hinds’ biggest issues is transportation, but he said he also wants to focus on making the community a better place instead of focusing on facts and figures.
“We have a crisis when we have a lack of positive energy in the community,” he said.
Hinds, like many of his competitors, hasn’t made campaign signs yet but is planning to do so this weekend with the experience he has running his own graphics company, Terra Modus Design.
“I’m going to go door-to-door,” he said. “I’m very much a part of this community.”
E-mail reporter Brook Reinhard
at [email protected].