Eugene Mayor Jim Torrey announced at a press conference Wednesday that he will not run for a third term as mayor, disappointing many conservatives, including former mayor Jeff Miller, who have campaigned and urged Torrey to run as a write-in candidate in the Nov. 2 general election.
Miller and other Eugene conservatives started a Web site, www.runjimrun.org, and raised an estimated $20,000 — mostly for an advertising campaign — urging Torrey to re-run. The group is afraid Kitty Piercy, who won the mayoral primary election and will likely be Eugene’s next mayor, will not listen to the business community.

Torrey, who earlier told the Emerald he was flattered by the group’s support but probably wouldn’t run, said at the press conference a write-in campaign would have distracted him in his final months as mayor.
He told The Register-Guard he wanted to focus on helping the University find a site for a new basketball arena along Franklin Boulevard and other issues.
Miller told The Register-Guard his campaign showed Piercy she needs to represent not just her supporters, but Torrey supporters as well.
Piercy and Torrey agreed that Eugene is better off without a divisive battle for mayor.
“The last thing Eugene needs is a divisive campaign,” Torrey said.

— Jared Paben