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It's early in the race, but no one's running New judgeship among open Jackson County posts By DANI DODGE Among the positions listed on the Jackson County May primary ballot will be a new circuit court judge. "There were several counties that got new judge positions in the last legislative session, and we were one of them," said County Clerk Kathy Beckett. Candidates may now file for May 2002 state and county primary elections, Beckett said. The state Legislature this year moved up the first day to file to April 1, but so far no one has filed in Jackson County, Beckett said. Not even for the new open judgeship. "I think people here locally won't think about it until mid-September, which was the (first day) under the old law," Beckett said. "There are people out there talking about filing, but no one has actually done it yet." Local county offices on the primary ballot are commissioner positions 1 and 3 (held currently by Jack Walker and Ric Holt), the sheriff, the clerk and the Gold Hill justice of the peace. Sheriff Bob Kennedy has announced he is retiring, while the other incumbents say they expect to run again. "I'm going to pick up the papers right now," Walker said Tuesday afternoon. Candidates for these positions must file with the Jackson County Clerk at the elections office at 10 S. Oakdale, Medford, by March 12. Of those local elections, only the county commissioner seats are positions that require filing by political party. Those seeking the nomination of a major political party must have been a member for at least 180 days before filing. Other local positions that will appear on the primary ballot will be Jackson County circuit judge positions 6 and 7, held by Rebecca Orf and Mark Schiveley. Both said they will seek re-election. People wanting to run for a judge's gavel must file with the secretary of state instead of the county clerk. A judge can win the post at the primary unless three or more people run and none receives more than 50 percent of the vote. If that occurs, there would be a runoff in the November general election. The new Jackson County judge will be among six new judges elected around the state. Each will serve a six-year term and make $7,533 per month, according to a Department of Justice spokeswoman. The new judge won't take office until January 2003, according to a state elections department spokeswoman. Beckett said she's not concerned yet about the lack of candidate filings. She herself hasn't even filed. "I usually file on the first day, but when April 1 came around, I wasn't even ready to file," she said with a laugh. "I'm used to filing in the middle of September ... so I will wait and file then. " Those with questions regarding filing or filing deadlines should call the county elections office at 774-6147 or the state elections department at 503-986-1518. Reach reporter Dani Dodge at 776-4471, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.