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Oregon primary offers choices for state offices By DANI DODGE The primary election deadline didn't exactly bring a parade of wanna-be politicians into the Jackson County elections office Tuesday. Actually, no one new showed up. And there won't be any contested county candidate races in the May 16. The state, though, is another matter. Come May, voters will have Republican choices in State Senate District 25 and State Representative District 51. And several Democrats threw their hats in the ring at the last minute -- although they won't face competition until the November general election. Tuesday was the last day for candidates to file for the May 16 primary for county and state offices. Most of those who win in those races, or who run uncontested, will go onto the general election in November. Others who are in non-partisan and uncontested contests will take office if they get more than 50 percent of the vote on May 16. Despite the lack of excitement on the local candidate scene, County Clerk Kathy Beckett predicted a better turnout for the Jackson County primary than the state as a whole. "The Secretary of State has predicted 40 percent turnout statewide," she said. "But knowing there will be a library bond on the ballot and they will have quite a campaign, it's possible we will do much better than that." County commissioners decided in February to put the $39 million library bond on the ballot -- despite the fact library supporters will need not only a majority of the votes, but also a 50 percent turnout in the election to pass it. But Tuesday was a day really devoted to candidates. Democrat Barbara Davidson of Medford filed in the state representative 50th District -- which covers Medford. She will face incumbent Republican Rob Patridge in November. And Democrat W. Earl Calhoun of Shady Cove put his name into the contest for the 46th state representative district, where Susan Morgan, R-Myrtle Point, is the incumbent. The 46th district covers northwest Jackson County, northern Josephine County and part of Douglas County. Voters in State Senate District 25 will choose between Republicans Pat Fahey of Grants Pass, and State Representative Jason Atkinson of Jacksonville in the May 16 election. The two are vying for the senate seat vacated by Brady Adams of Grants Pass, who was barred from another term by Oregon's term limits statute. State Senate District 25 covers southwest Jackson County and most of Josephine County. And voters also will choose between Republicans in the house seat being vacated by Atkinson -- State Representative District 51 -- which covers southwest Jackson County and part of Josephine County. Cherryl Walker of Murphy and Larry Frank of Jacksonville are facing off in the Republican contest for a chance to challenge Democrat Lon Holston of Central Point in November. Most of the other state legislative races will be uncontested in the primary. There were many uncontested races in the county also. County Assessor Dan Ross and County Surveyor Roger R. Roberts are running unopposed for re-election to their positions. Ross has been county assessor three terms; Roberts originally was appointed in 1995 and is just finishing up his first elected term. If the assessor and surveyor get more than 50 percent of the vote, they do not have to go onto the general election to retain their positions. Other local elected officials running unopposed next month will be District Attorney Mark Huddleston, and Jackson County judges Ross Davis and Ray White. Although they hold state offices, they are elected by county voters. And like the county assessor and surveyor, if the district attorney and judges get more than 50 percent of the vote, they do not have to go onto the general election. There is one county commissioner seat up for grabs in November. Three-term County Commissioner Sue Kupillas of Eagle Point is running on the Democratic ticket, while Cleve Wright of Talent will have a spot on the Republican ticket. The two will vie for Jackson County Position 2 in November. Other state primary filings: State Representative 52nd District (Judy Uherbelau's seat): covering Eastern Jackson County. Alan Bates (D) Jane Hunts (R) State Representative, 49th District, covering most of Josephine County. Carl Wilson (R), incumbent State Senate, 23rd District, covers northwest Jackson County, northern Josephine County, and part of Douglas County. Bill Fisher (R), incumbent. Today's Edition : News | Sports | Business | Weather | Tempo | Classifieds Mail Tribune Copyright � The Mail Tribune 2000, Medford, Oregon USA