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Republican candidates take distinct routes along the long campaign trail By DANI DODGE CENTRAL POINT - Even their door-to-door campaigning is a contrast in style: Cherryl Walker politely passes houses posted with "no soliciting" signs. Dennis Richardson expects a warm welcome. "That's just for people selling things," he says knocking on one door where "No soliciting" is embossed on a brass plaque. Richardson and Walker are candidates for state House District 4 and almost every day they walk neighborhoods, hoping to garner enough votes to tip what private polls show is a close race. Wearing matching bright white walking shoes, Walker and her campaign manager Dana Baugher, leapfrog each other from Republican door to Republican door, their precinct lists securely fastened to clipboards. "Hi, I'm Cherryl Walker, your state representative. I was wondering if you had any questions about my campaign," Walker says smartly in clipped, precise language, presenting a business-like demeanor along with campaign brochures. She carefully gauges each voter, engaging in conversation only rarely if they seem receptive. And when she does turn on her charm - as she did with one older gentleman with an obvious disdain for politicians, she melts even the most dour grimace into a smile. "My number is on there if you have any questions," she says handing out a flier before moving onto the next door. Richardson tends to do his door-to-door on his own and takes it at the pace of a hyperactive aerobic instructor. He tucks his precinct list and campaign literature into one pocket of his cargo pants, voter registration forms in the other. His friendly grin, boyish good looks crowned by a thatch of thin gray hair and the way he plants himself on a welcome mat opens many door-step conversations. "Hi, I'm Dennis Richardson and I'm running for state representative," he says. "I'm currently on the (Central Point) City Council, but we decided I could do more good up there in Salem than down here. "I can figure out what's going on up there and tell you about it." Some are intrigued, noting, "I've seen your television commercials." Others ask "Who else is running?" Although Richardson only targets houses where a Republican lives, he recruits Democrats and independents to the party along the way. "The entire election will be determined by what happens in this race," he says to one Democratic couple. Democrat John Stanton takes the registration materials and campaign brochure and nods thoughtfully. "We aren't really big into politics so we could go either way," he says. In Central Point, some people recognize Richardson from city government, from youth activities, and from church activities (Richardson is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints). Others have never seen him before, but still want to chat. "I was working in my yard two years ago when (Walker) came up," said Frank Raymond a 61-year-old semi-retired Central Point man. "She was talking about property rights and got my interest. "But then when she got in office she sent me a letter ... I didn't know she was for abortion. If I knew that I wouldn't have voted for her." But as Walker hits the doorsteps, the responses are different. "We voted for you last time and probably will again," says Kimberly Slaughter, a 32-year-old photographer. Slaughter, who describes herself as pro-life, says Walker's views on education and other major issues match her own. "Abortion - it is very important," Slaughter says. "It's in my top 10, but it isn't my sole reason for making a decision." Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.