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By Vickie Aldous Mail Tribune November 04. 2014 8:22PM Roberts, Dyer lead in Jackson Commissioner races Colleen Roberts, who is running for county commissioner, kisses her grandchild Eli Roberts, 7 months, while waiting for election results at the Rogue Valley Country Club on Tuesday. Mail Tribune / Jamie Lusch Republican Colleen Roberts was beating Democrat Kevin Talbert for Jackson County Commissioner Position 3, while Republican Rick Dyer was beating Democrat Tonia Moro for Position 1, according to unofficial election results late Tuesday night. Roberts had 55 percent, or 34,451 votes, to Talbert's 44.6 percent, or 27,895 votes. In a four-way race, Dyer had 45.6 percent of the vote, or 30,307 votes, to Moro's 36.8 percent, or 24,467 votes. Unaffiliated candidate Curtis Chancler trailed with 11.3 percent, or 7,462 votes, and Libertarian candidate Curt Ankerberg had 6.2 percent, or 4,127 votes. Roberts, a pro-life conservative Republican and frequent critic of county government, campaigned on a platform of reducing county fees and regulations on business. She is the owner of Sensational Sweets bakery. "We're pretty excited," Roberts said of the incoming election results. "We'll keep watching the results come in. Everyone's so supportive and I'm so appreciative of the voters. What a journey!" Talbert said during his campaign he would work to diversify the economy by promoting the specialty foods and high-tech sectors. A moderate Democrat, he entered the race late and ran as an Independent after Democrats didn't field a candidate in the May primary — allowing Roberts to lock up both the Republican and Democratic nominations. A former Southern Oregon University chief information officer and director of extended campus programs, Talbert said workforce development through training and education are key to business growth in the Rogue Valley. His moderate position won Talbert endorsements from several local Republican elected officials, local Democratic state legislators and the Medford/Jackson County Chamber of Commerce. Roberts, who had her own endorsements among business people and others, said the voters had endorsed her. Talbert said his late start and a higher number of registered Republicans than Democrats in the county hurt his candidacy. But he said he felt encouraged so many county residents did vote for him. "They responded to my optimistic message and belief that government can be part of the solution," Talbert said. For Position 1, both Dyer and Moro focused their campaigns on economic development and job creation, although Moro more actively promoted environmental initiatives. Dyer is the owner of Northwest Energy Solutions, which specializes in improving energy efficiency. While noting the results showing him in the lead weren't official yet, Dyer said he was encouraged and happy with the initial count. "I'm thrilled and honored and humbled that I could come out on top — especially in a four-person race. I think it shows voters liked my positions on job creation and thought I have the experience to do the job," Dyer said. "If these results stand up, I'm ready to get to work in January." Moro is an attorney with experience in government, criminal and appeals law. She said she thought her campaign had done well, especially since she entered the primary late and had to run as a write-in candidate. "I jumped in to provide a choice for the community," said Moro, who said she planned to remain active working with nonprofit groups and promoting economic development. During their campaigns, Ankerberg touted his accounting experience and Chancler said he was a government and environmental watchdog. Staff reporter Vickie Aldous can be reached at 541-776-4486 or [email protected]. http://www.mailtribune.com/article/20141104/NEWS/141109845 © 2015 Copyright © 1995-2011 Crain Communications Inc. All Rights Reserved. Terms of Use Privacy Statement -->