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10 Dems vie for Bates' Senate seat Wednesday Aug 17, 2016 at 6:11 PM Aug 19, 2016 at 2:45 PM By Hannah Golden Mail Tribune Ten candidates are in the running for either an interim appointment or four-year term to fill the Senate vacancy created by Alan Bates' unexpected death while on a fishing trip Aug. 5. In a convention set for Friday, Democrats will choose a nominee to run in the November election, as well as three to five candidates from whom the Jackson County Board of Commissioners will choose to fill the seat until the end of the year. "This only happens when we have a vacancy in an office; ordinarily it would come due to a resignation," said Jackson County Democratic Party Chairman David Roadman. "The unique thing about this is we're right in the middle of campaign season, so there’s short turnaround time ... [and] in a period when we’re still grieving the loss of Bates, creates an uncomfortable situation, but it’s … something we have to do." One candidates is up for the interim position only: Bernard Spera of Ashland, a former mayor of Millbrae, Calif. Nine candidates are vying for both the interim position and for the November nomination: Mark Soderstrom, 60 of Phoenix, is an agent at Ashland Insurance. A former member of the Medford Planning Commission, he is focused on health care and clean energy independence. Kevin Stine, 30, of Medford, is a city councilman. He is a proponent of affordable child care and health care and looks to carry on in Bates' footsteps with regard to education. Mike Moran, 61, of Medford, is a former Talent police chief and served positions on the Medford School Board and Rogue Valley Transportation District. His primary issues are public safety, education and transportation. He is also in the running for House District 6; if he’s chosen as Senate nominee, Democrats will need to name a replacement for the House race. Kevin Talbert, 69, of Ashland, is a Rogue Community College board member and former chief information officer for Southern Oregon University. He's focusing on education, environment and local business. Stacy Bannerman, 50, of Medford, was previously the director of Peace House. She focuses on veteran health care and climate change, and supports Bates' action on education and health care. Laz Ayala, ageof Ashland, has worked as a real estate developer for more than three decades and currently works for KDA Homes. He has served on boards with La Clinica and Heart of Medford Association, and his focus is on health care, education and the environment. Tonia Moro, 52, of Talent, has been a lawyer for over two decades. She is involved with RVTD and OnTrack with a focus on mental health, family services, clean energy and transportation. Rick Schaefer, 70, of Medford, is a retired physician and is director of Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center's Cardiac Rehabilitation program. His issues focus on climate change, affordable housing, health care, mental health and education. Joyce Segers, 67, of Ashland, is on the board of Ashland Culture of Peace Commission. Her stances center around health care, veteran care and higher education. "We're looking pretty good here," Roadman says of the slate of candidates. "I think we have some people here who are well qualified." The first convention Friday will decide the three to five names that will be sent to the Jackson County Board of Commissioners for consideration for the interim position. The second convention will nominate a candidate to run in the November election. If Moran gets selected for the nomination, a third convention will be held to decide on a replacement for the House bid. Commissioners will fill the interim position by Sept. 6. The Democrats will meet at 6 p.m. Friday in the Medford library with a question-and-answer-style forum for the public to get to know the candidates, followed by the conventions at 7 p.m. The Republicans' convention to choose their nominee for the Senate seat will be at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 23, at Inn at the Commons. So far no Republican candidates have announced, though Dave Dotterrer, who ran against Bates twice, said he's considering entering the race. Reach reporting intern Hannah Golden at [email protected].