Document text
Demos name Holston as chairman Lon Holston of Central Point lost one election for a two-year position this month, but last week, he won another election for another two-year position. He was elected chairman of the Jackson County Democratic Central Committee, which will pose a different set of challenges from the Oregon House, where he fell short in his bid for the District 51 seat Nov. 3. "We hope to galvanize the party, expand party activities in Southern Oregon and increase our strength," Holston said. "It's going to be tough to do, but I think we have a great group of central committee people who can get this job done." Holston succeeds Jay Mullen of Medford, a history professor at Southern Oregon University, who was the county party chairman for eight years and was a candidate for the Oregon Senate in 1978 and 1982. Holston said the party's task may be helped by the overwhelming re-election victories of Gov. John Kitzhaber and U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden. Kitzhaber is the first Democratic candidate for governor to carry Jackson County since Bob Straub did in 1974. Wyden is the first candidate for senator to carry it since Harry Lonsdale did in 1990. "They are well-respected and everybody knows they have done a great job," he said. On the other hand, Democrats hold only one of the county's state legislative seats -- Rep. Judy Uherbelau of Ashland, who won a third and final term with a majority of 56 percent -- and one county commissioner position. Former commissioner Jon Deason came close but lost Nov. 3. Registered Republicans have outnumbered Democrats in Jackson County since the mid-1980s, though their numbers were almost even in 1992. Holston said increased voter participation should help Democratic candidates. During his campaign, Holston, 46, took a leave from the shipping department at the Medite division of Sierra Pine Ltd. He was a lobbyist in the 1997 session for the Association of Western Pulp and Paper Workers. Holston said he expects to continue in that position in the 1999 session, which begins Jan. 11. Other officers elected last week were Barbara Turner of Ashland, vice chairwoman; Barbara Davidson of Central Point, recording secretary, who has had that position almost continuously since 1990; Gerrie Birnbaum of Ashland, corresponding secretary since 1996, and Ray Fleetwood of Medford, treasurer since 1996. Turner succeeds Virginia Lemon of Ashland, who stepped down after four years. Others elected were: Delegates to the state Democratic Central Committee: Holston, Turner, Michael Graham of Medford and Treva Tumbleson of Ashland. Alternates: Davidson, Fleetwood, Mullen, Medford lawyer Tonia Moro. Second alternates: Jim Alexander of Eagle Point, Carol Bennett of Medford, Wes Brain of Ashland. Delegates to the 2nd Congressional District committee: Davidson and Graham. Alternates: Alexander and Jean Maack of Medford. Second alternates: Fleetwood and Mary Ferguson of Medford. Mail Tribune Copyright � The Mail Tribune 1998, Medford, Oregon USA