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Republicans back Strosser for commissioner Comment By Damian Mann Mail Tribune Follow @@reporterdm MailTribune.com By Damian Mann Mail Tribune Follow @@reporterdm Posted Feb. 12, 2016 at 5:00 AM Updated Feb 12, 2016 at 6:21 PM By Damian Mann Mail Tribune Follow @@reporterdm Posted Feb. 12, 2016 at 5:00 AM Updated Feb 12, 2016 at 6:21 PM » Social News Major Republican leaders have thrown their support behind former Medford City Councilor Bob Strosser in his bid for the Jackson County commissioner seat now held by Doug Breidenthal. Former commissioners John Rachor and Don Skundrick have endorsed Strosser, as have state Rep. Sal Esquivel and his wife, Jan, who both live in Medford. Jan Esquivel was formerly president of the Jackson County Republican Women. “I was very pleased to have an extraordinary amount of encouragement to do this,” Strosser said. Strosser, who plans to file his papers with the county today, said he’s thought about running for the position previously but the timing wasn’t right because of family obligations. A 25-year resident of Medford, Strosser, 70, said an ongoing investigation of Breidenthal by the Oregon Government Ethics Commission didn’t have much bearing on his decision to run. Questions have been raised by county officials about undeclared donations received by Breidenthal in a campaign for a leadership position connected with the Association of Oregon Counties. Jackson County officials have also questioned travel expenses by Breidenthal amounting to more than $70,000 in three years. “In terms of the issues with the sitting county commissioner, I leave that to the process to objectively make findings as opposed to speculating on something I don’t have the facts on,” he said. “It’s just good timing irrespective of the process going on with the sitting commissioner.” Strosser is a principal broker at Coldwell Banker Pro West Real Estate in Medford but has been involved in numerous committees and has had an extensive career in the public sector, particularly with the Pasadena Police Department in California and the Medford council. If elected, he said, he would put his real estate license on inactive status. He’s been president of Medford City Council four times, while serving from 1999 to 2014. He is currently on the Medford Water Commission. Strosser is a graduate of Pepperdine University with a degree in public administration. He has been twice appointed to the State Interoperability Executive Council. Strosser is married to Phyllis, and the couple have four children and eight grandchildren. If he gets elected, Strosser said, traveling to conferences would be a low priority for him because he thinks his focus should be on county issues, and he said his philosophy is to be as frugal as possible with the public’s money. During his time on the council, Strosser said, he rarely traveled as part of his duties. “My philosophy will be: 'What does it bring back to the county I’m serving?' ” he said. “I will carefully evaluate whether we should spend any kind of public money for it.” Strosser said the county has been well managed despite the reduction in federal timber dollars over the years coupled with increases in payments to the Public Employees Retirement System. “I think they have done a very credible job, which is a tribute, quite frankly, to some past decision making,” Strosser said. “Danny Jordan is a very credible and intelligent county administrator. The county commissioners are responsible for setting the policy. Danny seems to handle his delegated authority very well.” Rachor, who speaks highly of Strosser’s abilities, said he’s concerned about Breidenthal’s effectiveness as a candidate and a commissioner as he deals with an ongoing Ethics Commission investigation. “My concern is that the guy (Breidenthal) that’s in there right now has too much baggage,” Rachor said. “He will be spending too much time defending himself.” Breidenthal could not be reached for comment Thursday afternoon. Skundrick, who lives in Arizona, said he first approached Strosser about a run for the commissioner position a couple of years ago, but Strosser said he had family obligations that prevented him from stepping into the race. “You’ve got to pick the time when you’ve got the best chance,” Skundrick said. After Jackson County filed an Oregon Government Ethics Commission complaint against Breidenthal, Skundrick said he again had conversations with Strosser about running. “He (Strosser) was much more interested after the whole issue came out,” Skundrick said. Skundrick said he thought Breidenthal was a good man generally, but the ethics investigation has hurt him. “He’s lost his credibility and that’s tough,” Skundrick said. “It’s a shame.” Skundrick described Strosser as a “moderate.” “He’s a man after my own heart,” Skundrick said. Esquivel said Strosser has been considering a run for the commissioner position for many years. He said Strosser’s knowledge of Medford would help bridge the gap between the city and the county, which have tangled over various issues. “Bob’s a class act,” Esquivel said. “He will make an excellent commissioner.” Reach reporter Damian Mann at 541-776-4476 or [email protected] . Follow him on Twitter @reporterdm . By Damian Mann Mail Tribune Follow @@reporterdm MailTribune.com By Damian Mann Mail Tribune Follow @@reporterdm Posted Feb. 12, 2016 at 5:00 AM Updated Feb 12, 2016 at 6:21 PM » 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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