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Bradbury announces Senate candidacy By DANI DODGE Flanked by leading Jackson County Democrats, Secretary of State Bill Bradbury announced his candidacy for the U.S. Senate in Medford's Alba Park on Thursday morning - although not for the first time. His first announcement that he would challenge Sen. Gordon Smith in 2002 came in Portland on Wednesday. "It's important for a person running for the entire state to not just announce in Portland or Eugene, but the entire state," said Bradbury, adding he intended to be in Medford on Wednesday, but couldn't get here because of bad weather and changes in flight schedules. So instead, Bradbury drove to Medford on Wednesday night and made his announcement Thursday at 9 a.m. Bradbury said his views - support for abortion rights, support for the state's Death with Dignity Act, and a balanced approach to protecting jobs and preserving the environment - is more in line with that of Oregonians than Smith's. Smith declined to comment on Bradbury's entry into the race, according to press secretary, Joe Shaffo. "He hasn't talked to anybody on this," Shaffo said. Local Democrats said they are thrilled that Bradbury is running. "I'm really pro-choice and pro-woman and Smith's views really irk me," said Jean Maack, a Democratic precinct committee woman. "I'm absolutely delighted Bradbury's in the race. "We've got a good man here who is committed to making people work together." Bradbury said he believes he can represent rural areas like Medford well because he was a state legislator from rural Coos Bay. He said the key will be education and developing sustainable industries. "It's been boom and bust in Coos Bay ... and in Medford," Bradbury said. "Let's not go there." As an example of how he would deal with natural resource issues, Bradbury said he would take a "balanced approach" to the crisis in Klamath Falls where farmers are pitted against endangered fish in a fight over water. Bradbury said he approved of Gov. John Kitzhaber's approach, which he said required "everyone to give a little." "We need a compromise that meets the clear needs of the fish and the very clear needs of the farmers," Bradbury said, adding that the worst place for making decisions about the environment is in the courts. As an example, he cited the spotted owl decision that ended up hurting Southern Oregon's timber economy. Although Bradbury said he fully supports President Bush's handling of the current terrorist threat, he doesn't agree with going forward on tax cuts, which he said mostly benefit the rich. "Is this the time to be giving $2.2 trillion in tax reductions?" Bradbury asked. "I'd make the argument we need to be spending that on dealing with terrorist threats. "I don't want to see our government return to deficit spending big-time." Bradbury admitted that he is "clearly the underdog" in this race against Smith, but said he's not worried about the outcome. "When Oregonians see the choice is between someone who shares their values and someone who doesn't, they'll vote for me," he said. He then drove on to Bend, where he was again going to announce his candidacy. 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.