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Jackson County voters happy with Holt, Walker By JILL BRISKEY Mail Tribune Jackson County voters are apparently happy with their existing board of commissioners. Republican incumbents Ric Holt and Jack Walker both secured their seats following the May primary election, unofficial results released late Tuesday night reflected. But all bets could be off when the November election rolls around. Before all the votes were counted, Walker was optimistic. "I just appreciate the fact that the voters appreciate what I'm doing," Walker said. "I'm very pleased." Walker, 62, must beat former Medford councilman and Democrat John Hallett to retain position No. 1 in the general election. Holt, 64, will go on to face Democratic Central Point Councilman Dave Gilmour in November for position No. 3. Medford Councilman John Michaels will run as a non-partisan independent. Tuesday night, Central Point resident Diane Davidson presented the greatest challenge to Holt's seat by earning 27.23 percent of the votes (5,629) compared to Holt's 51.34 percent (10,615). Despite repeated attempts, Holt could not be reached for comment Tuesday night. Davidson, 56, campaigned on a need for change and promised to cut bureaucratic red tape strangling the economy. Holt, on the other hand, asked voters to look at his record. The Ashland resident has been on the board since 1991. "I'm very disappointed. A piece of it is having three people in the race," Davidson said. She also pointed out despite her loss, nearly half of voters did not support Holt. Davidson, who is president of the Jackson County Republican Women and Land Owner Resource Corp., participated in the 1989 campaign effort to re-elect Holt. Sams Valley rancher and government watchdog Walt Fitzgerald, 54, trailed behind both Holt and Davidson with 13.86 percent of the votes (2,866). Fitzgerald, who financed his own campaign, had pledged to balance the needs of the community with the rights and liberties of the individual if elected. Attempts to contact Fitzgerald Tuesday were unsuccessful. Position No. 1 In the race for position No. 1, Walker held a strong lead over Republican challenger Curt Chancler. Unofficial votes show Walker earned 59.11 percent of the votes (12,220) compared to Chancler's 30.13 percent (6,230). Chancler, who owns Curt's Transmission and chairs the Jackson County Citizens Group, was still hopeful Tuesday with preliminary results. "I've seen sicker dogs get well, although not often," he said. But as the night progressed, Chancler conceded. "You hang yourself out there like a pi�ata," Chancler said. "It really surprises me that we didn't do our job ... or (voters) just didn't share the same view." Walker has been a commissioner since 1995 and chairs the Association of Oregon Counties (District 4). Banking on his experience to win this campaign, Walker has vowed to enhance services for the region's population of elderly and veterans and prepare for a possible budget shortfall in the 2003-04 fiscal year. "I think most people think I work hard at my job," Walker added. Although Chancler never held or ran for a public office prior to this campaign, he promised voters a fresh perspective through change. Chancler has actively protested local government actions, such as his cousin Denny Chancler's arrest for driving while intoxicated and Central Point's smoking ban. His government watchdog organization continues to investigate alleged dumping of unknown materials at two county waste-sites in White City. Chancler said that with his defeat the group will redouble its efforts. "It's actually going to become much more intense," Chancler said. "We're going to be a lot more involved. I think we'll come back a lot more organized." Reach reporter Jill Briskey at 776-4485, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2002 Mail Tribune, Inc.