We members of the University community have an important choice in the current election for Oregon attorney general: Do we want a true Oregonian — a double Duck — with an incredible breadth of experience to be the people’s lawyer?
Or do we want an ambitious newly admitted federal prosecutor, supported by out-of-state interests, who has never handled a case in the Oregon state court system?
Ellen Rosenblum@@http://ellenrosenblum.com/@@ will bring 37 years of legal experience, in all areas of law, to the position of attorney general. Her opponent was admitted to practice in Oregon barely three years ago and has only practiced criminal law.
Few people understand that the attorney general is not the state’s chief prosecutor. Rather, she must oversee almost 300 lawyers engaged in consumer protection law, contract negotiation, child advocacy, employment law, constitutional law, administrative proceedings, regulatory work, elections law, appeals and yes, some criminal prosecutions. An attorney general needs to know the ins and outs of Oregon state courts, and to understand the interests and values of the Oregonians she represents. Rosenblum does.
In addition to being a federal prosecutor, Rosenblum has been in private practice here in Eugene, and she has been a state trial and appellate court judge. Unlike her opponent, she has lived in Oregon since childhood. Rosenblum sees the office of attorney general not as a stepping stone to a political career, but as a way to cap off a career devoted to serving the people of Oregon. Please check out her website and then vote for the true Oregonian, the one with your interests at heart.
Robert Rocklin
Adjunct faculty, University School of Law