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United they stand Rob Patridge and Sal Esquivel have worked together for far too long to let a little thing like an election come between them By Melissa Martin Mail Tribune They have reason to be arch rivals, but instead, State Rep. Rob Patridge, 33, and Medford City Councilman Sal Esquivel, 53, are friends. The two Republicans, who met while campaigning for Medford City Council seats, are listed on the May primary ballot for House District 6, which encompasses the bulk of Medford. And both have photos and resumes in the Voters' Pamphlet. But they are not political opponents. Esquivel withdrew from the Oregon Legislative race this week after the incumbent, Patridge, didn't get appointed to a Jackson County Circuit Court judge opening. Running against Patridge is Medford Democrat Barbara Davidson, a retired teacher. "I'll campaign in west Medford for Rob, walking door-to-door and putting up lawn signs," Esquivel said. Patridge and Esquivel are both in the Voters' Pamphlet because the state deadline for filing as a candidate was April 12, while the deadline to withdraw and be excluded from the pamphlet was April 15. The governor didn't announce the judge appointment until April 29. "They assured us they would make the appointment before the filing deadline so we wouldn't confuse the voters, but there were delays," Patridge said. Patridge and Esquivel became friends during their campaigns for different City Council wards in 1996. They were behind Medford's vision process - the collecting of public opinion about the city's future - a park master plan that eventually led to the purchase of sports park land, the move to buy a military drill hall and turn it into the Santo Community Center and the creation of a committee to respond to residents' complaints. Later while in the Legislature, Patridge helped Medford get a $250,000 state grant to remodel the Santo Center. The two longtime Medford residents have very different backgrounds. Patridge holds a law degree from Willamette University while Esquivel is a U.S. Navy veteran of the Vietnam War who attended Southern Oregon College. Patridge's father was an entrepreneur who took five companies public. Esquivel's step-dad was a logger who was killed when a skidder fell on him. Esquivel is related to the Walch clan, Lake Creek settlers who helped start Meridian Orchards, one of the region's first. Patridge and his wife, Mary, have two children - Maya, 21/2, and Owen, 3 months. Esquivel and his wife, Jan, have five children, ages 24 to 34. Patridge is general counselor for Pacific Retirement Services Inc., which has 30 facilities in three states, including the Rogue Valley Manor. Esquivel is a real estate broker and owner of Diamond Key Properties and former manager of Key Title Company. "Sal came to my wedding," Patridge said. And Esquivel added, "Rob was supposed to come to my wedding but he was called out of town, but Mary and Maya came." When it comes to shared beliefs, the two friends said common sense is at the top of their priority list. "We try to bring things out in a simplistic level and look at things simplistically," Esquivel said. "When things are complex, it's because we make it that way." Patridge agreed. "We both have a Republican-based philosophy regarding limited government," Patridge said. "And one of the key components is we both have a history of being open to the public, trying to shine a light on issues and trying to be as open as we can." This was the second time in 12 months that Patridge interviewed for another job - he met with Oregon Gov. John Kitzhaber, a Democrat, for the Circuit Court judge job, and was interviewed at the White House for the U.S. attorney position. Patridge won his first legislative race in 1998. He applied for the judge and U.S. attorney posts to test the waters. "It wasn't that I was interested in something else," Patridge said. "It's just like everything in life - opportunities come along and life is about timing. My passion in life is public service. That's what I love to do." Esquivel agreed and added, "Rob would have made an excellent judge." Esquivel has made it clear that he's out of the House District 6 race. He doesn't think voters will be confused by two Republican names on the primary ballot. "Everywhere I've spoken, I've described this sequence of events that if Rob is appointed, I shall continue on and if he's not, I will drop out," Esquivel said. But it doesn't stop him from teasing his friend. With a twinkle in his eye, Esquivel said, "I think it would be a hoot if it were close." Reach reporter Melissa Martin at 776-4497, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.