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July 12, 2004 - Subscribe - Contact Us - Rate Card - Place an Ad Valley&State Backpage O&E Sports Archives Classifieds Faith&Beliefs Obituaries Revels June 3, 2004 District 5 race heats up early with debate challenge By Bill Choy Ashland Daily Tidings It's only June, and the first challenge of November's general election has begun in the House District 5 race by Republican challenger Joanna Lofaso. On conservative Medford radio talk show host Garth and Rosemary Harrington's morning show May 26, Lofaso challenged Democratic opponent Peter Buckley to a series of monthly debates starting this month. Both are Ashland residents. Lofaso took to task what she thinks are her opponents "extremist" views on issues like government control and higher taxes, which she said do not represent the majority of the community. Although Lofaso challenged Buckley on the airwaves, she has yet to talk to her opponent directly, saying she hasn't gotten to that point at this time. "I haven't called him yet, but I'm sure we'll be talking soon," she said. "She can call me at anytime," Buckley said. "I look forward to meeting with voters any chance I can get." The extremist label Lofaso said that calling her opponent an "extremist" was not a personal attack on him but a way for voters to understand the differences between the two politicians. "It's just a word," she said. "I didn't mean to attach anything negative to it. It's just a method of expression that shows that I feel his views are more liberal than the mainstream and my views are more of the views of the majority of the community." Bryan Platt, chairman of the Jackson County Republican Party, agreed. "I don't think using a term like extremist is rolling up your sleeves or taking a cheap shot," Platt said. "There's a difference in criticizing an opponent's philosophy and launching personal attacks on them. It's all right because it's a way for voters to see the clear differences of each candidate." Buckley believes the "extremist" label tagged on him by his opponent is not at all representative of his beliefs. "I feel I'm right at the mainstream of District 5 in my views," he said. "Our district voted for Measure 30. It's an extremist view in my opinion that we don't fund education in Oregon." The election is about issues, not labels, Buckley said. "I don't want to get involved in back-and-forth accusations and that kind of labeling and name calling," he said. "My philosophy has been about making people's lives better - not tearing your opponent down. I want to try to stay positive." Calling Buckley an extremist and appearing on talk radio appears to be a strategy for Lofaso to get noticed early in the campaign process, said Cathy Shaw, former Ashland mayor, author of "The Campaign Manager: Running and Winning Local Elections," and campaign manager for Senate District 3 Democratic candidate Alan Bates. "I think words like that are designed to incite a response," she said. "She wants to get noticed, but it doesn't work with Peter. He just will not allow himself to be drawn out into a brawl and that's an incredible trait to have in Salem where there's a lot of labels being thrown." Going on the Harrington's radio show was a good forum to announce the challenge and to be heard by a fair number of District 5 voters, Lofaso said. "It was an opportunity," she said. "When an opportunity arises like that to have a chance to speak to the public, you take it. Anyplace I can speak to more than one person at a time is a good opportunity to express my views." Getting an early start Lofaso said she would like to see the debates be at locations throughout the county, such as Ashland, Talent, Phoenix and Ruch. She said the times and dates are flexible to encourage Buckley's participation. Buckley's campaign manager Amy Amrhein found it "unusual" that Lofaso would challenge Buckley to debates early in the summer, when there are plenty of debates sponsored by organizations, such as the League of Women Voters and Southern Oregon University, starting in September. "It seems to me she's anxious to start the campaign," she said. "It's generally started in the fall, but if there's an opportunely for a forum in the summer, that's fine. We're ready to debate the issues." Lofaso said she wanted to get an early start to get her viewpoints across and to have the voters see the distinct difference between herself and Buckley. "These debates will demonstrate what each of our viewpoints and beliefs are," she said. "It makes it better for the voters to know how we each stand." Shaw said that "calling out your opponent to a series of debates is a time-honored tradition." "I love debates and the energy, excitement and information that comes out in such a great way," she said. "Running for office is excellent training for serving in office." Lofaso said she has every intention to run a campaign that's issue oriented. "I hope it's going to be on the up and up and be on a high level," she said. "It's important to make people feel at ease about the process." Buckley agreed. "I love for it to be a campaign about the issues," he said. "I think it's really up to my opponent." Platt said this race will bring two viewpoints for voters to consider. "It's going to be fun to see how things develop," he said. DailyTidings.com Home Page Valley&State | Backpage | O&E | Sports | Archives | Weather | Classifieds Columnists | Faith&Beliefs | Obituaries | Revels | Subscribe | Contact Us Copyright 2004 Ashland Daily Tidings and Ottaway Newspapers All Rights Reserved Click Here Site Search: .:Advertisements:. RESOURCES - Mail Tribune News - ODOT Road Cams