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--> --> Talent Democrat sets sights on Congress By Troy Heie Ashland Daily Tidings John C. McColgan of Talent, a self-described pro-life Democrat who opposes abortion, assisted suicide and the death penalty, is running for Congress. McColgan, 46, submitted his papers Monday for the U.S. House 2nd District seat, one day before the filing deadline, according to the office of Oregon Secretary of State Bill Bradbury. The general contractor, a 23-year Talent resident and a Massachusetts native, is vying to unseat Rep. Greg Walden, a Republican from Hood River who is seeking his third term to the district covering part of southwestern, Central and northcentral Oregon, and all of Eastern Oregon. The district has not elected a Democrat to the House since 1978. "It's something I've considered doing for a long time," McColgan said Tuesday. "I was kind of on the fence about the whole thing but when I saw no one had really filed, I thought this was a good time to give it a try." McColgan will face Ashland drama production company manager Peter Buckley in the Democratic primary in May. Buckley, 44, announced his candidacy this past weekend. McColgan has never held public office but he believes his past experience with Democratic campaigns makes him a viable candidate. He was chairman of the Michael Dukakis for President campaign in Jackson County in 1988 and also served as the Oregon platform committee representative to the Democratic National Convention that same year. McColgan's wife, Pepper, is an emergency medical technician and he is the father of four children ranging in age from 16 to 22. He said his staunch pro-life stance is "not a single issue just relative to abortion. "I'm a pacifist when it comes to war, I'm opposed to capital punishment and I'm opposed to assisted suicide," he said. McColgan said he plans to stick to that platform in the primary race. "I want to stir the pot. That's part of my intention," he said. "People cannot become too comfortable in their assumptions about Democrats. I think it's good to have someone inside the party to challenge some of the politically correct assumptions. "Also, it's a whole continuum of life for me, and it comes down to respect for life whether it's an American life or a life in another country." He claims Congress and the media have remained silent on a variety of issues that are critical to Americans, like "the secretive Bush administration shadow government," and Enron, which he called "the tip of the iceberg. It's about all the money involved in politics and corporate influence peddling." McColgan also bristles at actions by Attorney General John Ashcroft regarding detainees at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, which he said is the Bush Administration "dancing around international law and the Geneva Convention." McColgan received degrees in government and political philosophy from the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, Va., and furthered his studies at the University of Reading in England. He said he expects to run a low-key campaign, and an "unusual campaign." "I'm looking forward to speaking in public and debating the issues," he said. McColgan said he has not met his Democratic opponent. Buckley is a five-year Ashland resident. He serves as the admissions and marketing director for Dell-Arte, a theater production company based in Northern California. "I think overall it's good for democracy," Buckley said Tuesday, referring to his pending race against McColgan. "I'm looking forward to having a good political discussion." Buckley, a native of Los Altos, Calif., filed his papers Monday, according to Bradbury's office. He is married to Joan Langley, education director for the Oregon Shakespeare Festival. The couple moved to the area to support Langley's career and raise their three children. And the candidates are ... · State Senate District 3 (Ashland, Talent, Phoenix, Jacksonville and most of Medford) - Incumbent Lenn Hannon, R-Ashland; Ashland Democrat Virginia Lemon. · State House District 5 - Incumbent Alan Bates, D-Ashland, only candidate. · Jackson County Clerk - Incumbent Kathy Beckett. · County Commissioner Position No. 3 - Incumbent commissioner Ric Holt is being challenged by Republican Walt Fitzgerald, Republican Diane Davidson, Democrat Dave Gilmour; Independent John Michaels. · County Commissioner Position No. 1 - Incumbent Republican Jack Walker, Republican Curt Chancler, Democrat John Hallett. · Circuit Court judge position 6 - Incumbent Rebecca Orf. · Circuit Court judge position 7 - Incumbent Mark Schiveley. · Circuit Court judge position 8 - (New Jackson County judgeship) Walter Nunley, Joseph M. Charter, William G. Purdy. · Jackson County Sheriff - Jackson County Sheriff's Capt. Ed Mayer and former Oregon State Police trooper Mike Winters have filed, but will not appear on the ballot until the general election. · U.S. House District 2: Incumbent Republican Greg, Walden, R-Ore; Peter Buckley, Ashland Democrat; John C. McColgan, Talent Democrat. Email your... Technical questions & comments to: WebMaster Daily Tidings editorial comments & questions to: Editor Visit our other Oregon Newspapers... | Albany Democrat-Herald | Ashland Daily Tidings | Corvallis Gazette-Times | | Lebanon Express | Newport News-Times | Springfield News | Cottage Grove Sentinel | Ashland Daily Tidings 1661 Siskiyou Blvd. Ashland, OR 97520 Telephone 541-482-3456 © Copyright 2001 Lee Northwest Publishing