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District 52 race key for both parties Contenders to replace Uherbelau agree on much By Dani Dodge Democrat Alan Bates and Republican Jane Hunts are vying for the hottest legislative seat in Southern Oregon this election. Both Republican and Democratic state leaders say they are putting extra time and effort into winning the District 52 seat that has endured volatile swings from right to left over the last two decades. Currently, the state House has a Republican majority with 35 Republicans and 25 Democrats. The District 52 seat has been held since 1994 by Ashland Democrat Judy Uherbelau. "We see it as a key race for maintaining control of the Legislature," said Oregon Republican executive director Darryl Howard, adding that the party contributed $10,000 to Hunts� campaign. Gov. John Kitzhaber has been to Ashland to raise money for Bates. "With Uherbelau termed out, it�s definitely a seat that we consider a high priority," Neel Pender, executive director for the Oregon Democratic Party. "We need to pick up six seats so we can get the majority, but we also need to hold the ones we have, and that�s a critical race." Uherbelau said her seat�s control has always been a cliff-hanger. "It�s always a very interesting race," Uherbelau noted. "You don�t sit home thinking this is in the bag one way or the other." The district stretches from Ashland to Prospect and beyond. It district encompasses the urban charm of a university town devoted to theater as well as the rural sensibilities of working-class towns like Eagle Point, Prospect and Butte Falls. There are 35,045 registered voters in the district � 13,930 Democrats, 11,646 Republicans and 8,343 nonaffiliated voters. It�s the only Southern Oregon district where Democrats have the registration advantage. Often the race has come down to less than 200 votes. In 1994, it went from a Republican seat held by Jerry Barnes to a Democratic seat held by Uherbelau by a 55-vote margin. Before that, Barnes and Democratic Rep. Nancy Peterson traded the seat in closely contested battles. This is Hunts� second run in the district. She challenged Uherbelau two years ago, but lost. The Trail resident owns a business that manufactures devices to help people get pills from blister packs. This is Bates� first try at a legislative seat. But the Eagle Point doctor, who has his physician�s office in Central Point, has been elected to the Eagle Point School Board three times. Despite their different political parties, the two candidates espouse many of the same ideas. When asked to rank their priorities both said education, the Oregon Health Plan and economic development. In that order. Though when they list specifics, their ideas do differ (see chart) . When asked about school vouchers and reforms, both said they support school reform at the local level and letting students choose the public school they attend. Neither supports private school vouchers. Both oppose the initiatives on the ballot that would dramatically cut state funding and spending. Both oppose Measure 9, an initiative that would prevent schools from "encouraging, promoting, sanctioning " homosexuality. Bates said one place he knows they differ strongly is on background checks for handgun buyers at gun shows. Bates said the checks are a step in the right direction, but Hunts said that she�s concerned that checks proposed in Measure 5 are overly broad. Another difference Bates points to is experience. He said he helped develop the Oregon Health Plan, has served on a school board and knows the issues. "If you want to talk about issues in the Oregon Health Plan and school funding, and you have 10-year experience like I have, it makes a difference," he said. "It gives you insights you just don�t get any other way." Hunts says her degree in finance gives her the ability to look at the economic impacts of decisions. She also said she�ll have the time to devote to being a legislator: If elected, her husband will take over the extra duties at their family-run business. "I will be hard-working as a state representative," she said. "You need to dedicate 40 to 60 hours per week during the session and 40 hours a week out of session. I can do that." Bates said he believes he can continue to be a doctor and a legislator, something Kitzhaber proved was doable when he served in the Legislature. Bates said if elected he will only work a few weekend shifts during the session, and work three-quarter time when not in session. "Just because you have a job outside the Legislature doesn�t mean you don�t have time to listen to constituents," Bates said. "There�s an advantage to working like a regular person." Reach reporter Dani Dodge at 776-4471, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2000 Mail Tribune, Inc.