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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW ScienceWorks' executive director gets new job in Pittsburgh ... Man charged with manslaughter in Medford shooting ... Opening day for Oak Street market is Saturday ... ScienceWorks' executive director gets new job in Pittsburgh ... Man charged with manslaughter in Medford shooting ... Opening day for Oak Street market is Saturday ... ELECTION 2016 Former Talent police chief runs as write-in for state rep Comment By Ryan Pfeil For the Tidings DailyTidings.com By Ryan Pfeil For the Tidings Posted May. 6, 2016 at 12:02 PM By Ryan Pfeil For the Tidings Posted May. 6, 2016 at 12:02 PM » Social News You won't see his name printed on the Democratic primary ballot, but a just-retired Rogue Valley police chief still could end up challenging Rep. Sal Esquivel (R-Medford) in the general election in November. Mike Moran, who retired as Talent police chief in April after eight years at the post — 40 total in law enforcement — recently found himself back in the public eye when the Jackson County Democratic Party started encouraging voters to write in his name as a Democratic candidate for state representative in the 6th District. No one had filed for the Democratic primary, and Esquivel is running unopposed on the Republican ticket. Moran said he had considered the idea previously, but he'd had his hands full with getting his successor — Chief Curtis Whipple — up to speed. “I just didn’t think I could get into a primary campaign," Moran said. “I felt obligated to definitely make the transition for the new chief of Talent a priority.” He missed the filing deadline, but officials from the Jackson County Democratic Party got in touch with him a second time and asked him to run. Moran said he felt honored by the request and agreed. "I told them, 'Yeah, you nominate me, I'll run, and if selected, I'll serve,' " Moran said. "It's sort of a nontraditional route to a campaign. But then again, this year is pretty much a nontraditional political year overall." Jackson County Democratic Chairman David Roadman said the group considered Moran because of his "relevant" experience in law enforcement and education. "We're trying to get the word out the best we can," Roadman said. State officials said all write-in votes in the uncontested race would have to be counted and certified by the Jackson County Elections Office, then sent to the Oregon Secretary of State. The state would then send a certificate to the candidate who received the most write-in votes and ask whether that person would accept the nomination. “I don’t think it’s that rare,” said Molly Woon, communications director for the Secretary of State's Office. "It just depends on how recruitment goes for getting people into seats and what the interest is like.” Moran said funding for public safety and education — he also served on the Medford School Board from 2000 to 2008 — are key issues he would like to focus on. He said he would also like to start meeting with voters and start conversations about taking a harder look at government programs and which ones actually benefit the public. "Sometimes government can really benefit from being reviewed closely, and sometimes programs need to be discontinued or altered," Moran said. "Quite often, over time, that doesn't happen with large governmental agencies." Reach reporter Ryan Pfeil at 541-776-4468 or [email protected] . Follow him at www.twitter.com/ryanpfeil . By Ryan Pfeil For the Tidings DailyTidings.com By Ryan Pfeil For the Tidings Posted May. 6, 2016 at 12:02 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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