Former two-term Eugene mayor Jim Torrey officially entered the 2008 race for the same position on Wednesday, and will face incumbent Kitty Piercy in what should be a battle of political heavyweights.
“My opponent ran on the platform of being a mayor for all Eugene. I will assure you that hasn’t been the case,” Torrey said.
Torrey served as Eugene’s mayor from 1997 to 2004, and he currently sits on the Eugene School District 4J board of directors. Torrey decided against running for re-election in 2004, and Piercy ultimately defeated Eugene City Councilor Nancy Nathanson in the May primary.
Torrey said he feels “the current direction of the city of Eugene is going in the wrong direction,” and his campaign goals will focus on the future of Eugene.
The non-partisan primary election is scheduled for May 20. If one candidate receives more than 50 percent of the vote, only that candidate’s name is placed on the general election ballot. If no one candidate receives a majority of the vote, the top two candidates are placed on the November ballot.