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Retired teacher Davidson plans to seek House seat held by Patridge By DANI DODGE Mail Tribune But who her Republican opponent for the District 6 spot will be remains in question. Republican Rob Patridge is the incumbent, but Patridge has applied for an appointment to an open Jackson County Circuit Court judge position. If Gov. John Kitzhaber appoints Patridge to replace retiring Judge Ross Davis, Medford City Councilman Sal Esquivel will be waiting in the wings to run in the Republican primary. "Rob is such a talented young man that if he doesn't get the nod, then I will step back," Esquivel said. "I'm going to support Rob whatever he does." Esquivel said if the judicial appointment is not announced before the March 12 filing deadline for the primary, both he and Patridge would register their candidacies with the state. Davidson has already filed and will make her announcement at 12:30 p.m. in Alba Park, across from the Medford Post Office. Davidson was beaten by Patridge two years ago in the District 50 race, with Patridge drawing more than 62 percent of the vote. When redistricting took effect last year, much of District 50 became District 5. The largely Medford district continues to have a strong GOP edge, with 15,371 registered Republicans and 10,135 registered Democrats, according to Donna Connor, Jackson County's chief elections deputy. Davidson said she believes her chances are stronger now than before, no matter who runs. "I think I bring an educational background and an investment with children that should weigh heavily with voters and I think my interest in women's' issues and health issues are at the core of my message," Davidson said. "It's a good message, regardless who comes out of the Republican gate." Davidson, 64, lives in Medford. She worked as an English teacher for 30 years at Crater High School, retiring in 1999. She is the Democratic Party's Second Congressional District chairwoman and past president of the Oregon Women's Political Caucus. She is on the Medford Communications Advisory Committee, the Medford Urban Renewal Agency Budget Committee and the American Cancer Society Relay for Life Board. She said many of the issues she feels are vitally important, like education, health care and social services, are being unnecessarily cut by the Legislature. If elected, Davidson said, she would work to stabilize the state's funding to maintain funding for education and vital social services. Davidson said the Legislature is irresponsible to use one-time revenues and reserves to cover the budget shortfall because it will only make it more difficult to balance the budget next time. She said legislators should have considered a temporary tax increase to reduce cuts. "It's not that I want to tax anyone anywhere," Davidson said. "But at least a temporary revenue measure needs to take place so we don't cut into the bone of education." Davidson said she has the time and focus to do the job of a legislator properly. "I feel I offer a good choice," Davidson said. Patridge agreed that voters will indeed have a choice. "I have the leadership, experience and community involvement to do the job," Patridge said. "And Southern Oregon voters will have a distinct choice in philosophy between Barbara Davidson and I." 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 � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.