Before McCain v. Obama, there was Piercy v. Torrey.
Sure, the Eugene mayoral race doesn’t quite match the scale of the United States presidential hopefuls’, but both races are dramatic, polarizing and incredibly close. The mayoral race is so close, in fact, that neither candidate garnered the minimum 50 percent of votes to win the May primary, forcing a run-off for the mayor’s office that will take place in the November general election. Incumbent Kitty Piercy did come out ahead of Jim Torrey by about 800 votes in the primary, but it seems the city is essentially divided on what type of leader Eugene needs.
Although the mayoral race is nonpartisan, Piercy is generally considered to be the Democratic candidate, and Torrey the Republican. In July, Piercy hired a political consultant to assist her in the much-anticipated general election, and the consultant, Mark Wiener of Portland, typically works with Democratic candidates. Torrey used to be a registered Republican, but is currently registered as Independent, and many business people support him via campaign funding. Piercy is a strong environmental advocate, while Torrey supports bringing businesses to Eugene and expanding growth. Read more about each candidate’s history below, and remember to vote Nov. 4.
Kitty Piercy
At the center of Piercy’s re-election campaign is a proposed 12-point economic agenda that emphasizes sustainable business practices and community growth. The plan includes proposed action to prioritize downtown revitalization, increase alternative transportation, improve West Eugene traffic and transportation, maintain streets and fix potholes, and nurture growth in “green” building and jobs.
During her tenure as mayor, Piercy has worked on environmental projects including the local Sustainable Business Initiative, as well as the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement, and she issued a “Mayor’s Carbon Challenge” urging Eugene residents to reduce their carbon footprints. Piercy received her undergraduate degree from Western Michigan University, and as a graduate student she studied political science at California State University at Hayward. Piercy has lived in Oregon for more than 30 years, and she has worked in the Oregon State Legislature as a state representative and House minority leader.
Jim Torrey
Piercy succeeded Torrey as mayor in 2005, after he spent eight years in office. This year Torrey is trying to take back the office, and his Web site lists the following issues as his goals: supporting law enforcement, government help in creating family wage jobs, fixing street potholes and improving roads, solidifying a plan to revitalize downtown Eugene, creating parks, and planning for “moderate growth” that the community’s environment and economy can sustain.
Torrey is a long-time Republican, but a registered Independent. He has been a Eugene resident for 43 years and is a University of Oregon graduate. Before he was mayor, Torrey was a city councilor for three years. He has served on numerous Lane County and Eugene boards and committees, including positions at the Eugene Chamber of Commerce, and State of Oregon juvenile justice and crime prevention committees. Torrey is currently a member of the Eugene School District 4J board, and he chaired the Eugene Olympic Trials Volunteer Committee.
[email protected]