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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Gov. Brown signs landmark Oregon anti-coal bill into law ... FERC rejects Jordan Cove LNG project; opponents rejoice ... Wet storm will bring mountain snow, valley rain ... Gov. Brown signs landmark Oregon anti-coal bill into law ... FERC rejects Jordan Cove LNG project; opponents rejoice ... Wet storm will bring mountain snow, valley rain ... OUR VIEW Our View: The Whitsetts' cynical back-room deal Comment MailTribune.com Writer Posted Mar. 11, 2016 at 12:01 AM Posted Mar. 11, 2016 at 12:01 AM » Social News In one of the more cynical moves in Oregon politics in recent memory, Sen. Doug Whitsett, R-Klamath Falls, and his wife, Republican Rep. Gail Whitsett, announced their retirements from the Legislature the morning after the filing deadline for the May primary, effectively bequeathing their seats to the only other candidate to file for either position. Both Whitsetts had filed for re-election in October, only to withdraw after Republicans Dennis Linthicum and Werner Reschke filed as candidates for senator and representative, respectively, minutes before the deadline Tuesday. No Democrat filed for either seat. Doug Whitsett's Senate District 28 includes northeastern Jackson County from the Douglas County line to the northeastern edge of Medford. Gail Whitsett represents House District 56, which takes in portions of Klamath and Lake counties. Perhaps not remarkably, both candidates are conservative Republicans. Dennis Linthicum, a former Klamath County commissioner, mounted a primary challenge to U.S. Rep. Greg Walden in 2014 because he said Walden was too liberal. Reschke, a political newcomer, tweeted after his announcement that "In order for #Liberty to thrive, personal responsibility, private property, privacy and limited government are required." There is nothing wrong with conservative Republicans running for office. And, given the political leanings of most of the residents of the Whitsetts' districts, Linthicum and Reschke could likely win the seats in a contested election. But that's the thing about elections:They work best when they are contested. Candidates make their case to the voters, who hear contrasting positions and policy pronouncements and make a choice on election day. By appearing to be headed for re-election campaigns, the Whitsetts, both popular officeholders, effectively kept would-be challengers from taking them on. At this point, it's impossible to say whether the incumbents told Linthicum and Reschke they were planning to retire, but the timing is nothing if not suspicious. At best, it's remarkably convenient. In a regular email newsletter to constituents, Doug Whitsett frequently complained about the tactics of majority Democrats in Salem. One such recent message, criticizing the drafting of a bill to eliminate coal-generated power, was titled "Closed-Door Deals Are Not The Oregon Way." Except, perhaps, in Senate District 28 and House District 56. MailTribune.com Writer Posted Mar. 11, 2016 at 12:01 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2016 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501