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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 Police converge after shot fired in Central Point home ... Cops gain new high-tech fingerprint device ... Providence medical worker stole from patients' wallets ... Police converge after shot fired in Central Point home ... Cops gain new high-tech fingerprint device ... Providence medical worker stole from patients' wallets ... OUR VIEW Our View: Write in C.W. Smith in Senate District 28 Comment MailTribune.com Writer Posted Apr. 27, 2016 at 12:01 AM Posted Apr. 27, 2016 at 12:01 AM » Social News We don't ordinarily endorse write-in candidates, but in the case of state Senate District 28, we'll make an exception. The worst outcome would be for a candidate who essentially inherited a nomination through a sleazy backroom deal to prevail without opposition. Sen. Doug Whitsett and his wife, State Rep. Gail Whitsett, both Klamath Falls Republicans, filed for re-election last October. No Republican or Democrat filed against either of them until minutes before the filing deadline March 8, when Republicans Dennis Linthicum and Werner Reschke filed, Linthicum for Senate and Reschke for the House. The next day, when it was too late for anyone else to file, the Whitsetts announced they were retiring from the Legislature and would not seek re-election. Claims that the scenario involved no communication between the Whitsetts, Linthicum and Reschke are simply laughable. If elected, Linthicum and Reschke would be a stain on the Legislature before they ever served a day in office. Senate District 28 lies mostly east of the Cascades, but takes in northeastern Jackson County, including Eagle Point, and stretches to the northeastern edge of Medford. C.W. Smith, the former Jackson County sheriff and county commissioner, launched a write-in campaign after Doug Whitsett essentially bequeathed his Senate seat to a like-minded ultra-conservative. Linthicum, a former Klamath County commissioner, challenged U.S. Rep. Greg Walden in the Republican primary in 2014 because he said the 2nd District congressman was not sufficiently conservative. Smith, 69, is no liberal, but unlike Linthicum he can work with those with whom he might disagree, and he has always had what he saw as Jackson County's — and Southern Oregon's — best interests at heart. If Senate District 28 had been known to be an open seat, there likely would be other options on the Republican ballot. But under the circumstances, voters should send a message that they will not tolerate cynical maneuvers that deny them a choice of representation. We recommend District 28 voters write in C.W. Smith for state Senate. MailTribune.com Writer Posted Apr. 27, 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... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site 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. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2016 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501