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Walden finishes 1st in 2nd District By PAUL FATTIG Democratic challenger Kevin Campbell predicted an upset in the 2nd Congressional District race on Tuesday. But it was the GOP candidate Greg Walden who upset Campbell's predictions by walking away with the election. Walden, 41, swept Jackson County and the district by winning nearly 60 percent of the votes compared to Campbell's 36 percent showing. In Jackson County, the late Tuesday results showed Walden with a lead of 12,110 to 8,069. "The percentage is wider than I would have anticipated -- I'm overwhelmed by the margin," Walden said during a celebration in Medford Tuesday night. Although the absentee ballots have yet to be counted, Walden expected the trend to continue until all the ballots are tallied. "I'm humbled by the responsibility I'm assuming," he said. "I very much appreciate the work of (retiring incumbent) Bob Smith for the 14 years he has served. Those are pretty big shoes to fill." Smith, a Medford Republican, had endorsed Walden and campaigned on his behalf. Walden, who owns a Hood River radio station, is a former state legislator. "I commend my opponent for running a positive race based on issues," Walden said. "That's what all of us like to see in Oregon. I tried to focus on my experience and what I have to offer the voters." It was his experience and broad-based support that made the difference in the race, Walden said. "There was no single issue," he said. "But I'd like to think it's part of the experience I bring. They (voters) wanted somebody who could hit the ground running." Canyon City resident Campbell, 47, a former Grant County judge, was philosophical in defeat. "We recognized it was going to be a tough race," he said. "But I think we were on the right track of campaigning for the long term, rather than for one campaign." Like Walden, Campbell said he appreciated the fact the candidates kept to the issues. "We didn't get into a mudslinging or media war," he said, noting that he enjoyed the campaign, which took him throughout the district. He also indicated the loss hadn't soured his appetite for politics. "You'll probably be seeing me around somewhere," he said. The district covers 71,000 square miles, making it larger than 33 states. It includes 75 percent of Oregon: all of Jackson County, most of Josephine County and 18 counties east of the Cascade Range. Mail Tribune Copyright � The Mail Tribune 1998, Medford, Oregon USA