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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW L.I.F.E. gives hope to parents struggling to win their children back from foster care ... Since You Asked: Fishing with drones a no-go in Oregon ... Donald Trump brings his campaign to Eugene ... L.I.F.E. gives hope to parents struggling to win their children back from foster care ... Since You Asked: Fishing with drones a no-go in Oregon ... Donald Trump brings his campaign to Eugene ... OUR VIEW Our View: Our recommendations for the May 17 primary Comment MailTribune.com Writer Posted May. 1, 2016 at 12:01 AM Posted May. 1, 2016 at 12:01 AM » Social News Ballots were mailed Friday for the May 17 primary. Here are the remaining recommendations from the Mail Tribune Editorial Board and a list of our previous picks. Governor: Kate Brown has five opponents but no serious competition for the Democratic nomination. There are two serious contenders for the Republican nomination: Allen Alley and Bud Pierce. Alley, who (according to Pierce) had the temerity to work for Democratic Gov. Ted Kulongoski, gets our nod, in part for that very reason. One day the political parties will remember they are working for the people, not their own party's advancement. Secretary of state: On the Democratic side, three experienced candidates vie for the nomination to succeed Kate Brown, who became governor when John Kitzhaber resigned (Brown's immediate replacement, Jeanne Atkins, is not seeking election to the post). Our pick is Sen. Richard Devlin, D-Tualatin, who says his co-chairmanship of the Joint Ways and Means Committee makes him best prepared to oversee the secretary of state's Audits Division. Rep. Val Hoyle, D-Eugene, a former House majority leader, would also be a good choice, but we lean toward Devlin, who brings an understated, suitably nonpolitical approach to what is essentially an administrative job. Labor Commissioner Brad Avakian presents himself as the most "progressive" candidate, and his goals sound more like those of a crusading policymaker. On the Republican side, former Rep. Dennis Richardson of Central Point, who ran for governor in 2014, has the statewide name recognition to be a strong nominee and the budget-oriented skills to make good use of the Audits Division. U.S. Senate: Incumbent Democrat Ron Wyden gets our support, but not without recognizing Medford Councilor Kevin Stine for bringing energy and knowledge to his quixotic run against Wyden. Stine says Wyden is not doing enough to level the playing field for the low and middle classes, while the rich get richer, abetted by Congress. He says Wyden has been too quick to compromise, but we see that willingness to work across party lines as a plus, as is Wyden's seniority in the upper chamber. On the Republican side, Sam Carpenter, a Bend businessman and self-described corporate "fixer," is running an energetic campaign and brings a common-sense approach to issues such as immigration. He has no government experience, but might at least provide a general-election contrast between a real-world business executive and a career politician. 2nd District U.S. House (R): Incumbent Republican Greg Walden has been sucked head-first into the party-before-country politics of the current Congress, but his primary opponent, Paul Romero, describes himself as a "Constitutional Conservative Republican" and as such is probably better suited to continue his work as a refrigeration repair technician. Recap of local endorsements Here are the rest of our recommendations for the contested races in the May 17 primary: Jackson County commissioner, Position 2: (R): Bob Strosser. Democrat Jeff Thomas is unopposed. Jackson County assessor: Angela Stuhr Jackson County Circuit Court judge: Patricia Crain Jackson County Justice of the Peace: Joe Charter State Senate District 28: Write in C.W. Smith Rogue Community College bond levy: Yes Rogue Valley Transportation District levy: Yes MailTribune.com Writer Posted May. 1, 2016 at 12:01 AM » 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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