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Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend February 23, 2006 Militia man bolts GOP, runs for commissioner as Democrat By DAMIAN MANN Mail Tribune Carl Worden, a Southern Oregon Militia member and self-proclaimed right-wing Christian conservative, has filed his candidacy for Jackson County commissioner — as a Democrat. "A lot of the Democrats feel the same way I do," said the 56-year-old Eagle Point resident, who has ended his lifelong Republican Party affiliation but remains pro-life, pro-gun and a property rights advocate. Worden, who is the only Democratic challenger for the commissioner race so far, will be taking on incumbent Jack Walker. "There’s a lot of people who want Walker out," Worden said. "They want to see the county brought into the 21st century and not just have the good-old-boy politics going on around here." Advertisement One of the founders of the Southern Oregon Militia in 1993, Worden said his group advocates civil liberties, including free speech and the right to bear arms. The militia, which Worden said has about 800 members, has taken on public officials in the past, filing complaints that launched investigations by the state ethics commission. Worden switched party affiliations last August, he said, after a group of teachers got kicked out of a Bush rally in Central Point in 2004 because they wore T-shirts that stated "Protect our civil liberties." "That was no longer my party," said Worden, who voted for Sen. John Kerry in the 2004 presidential election. "That was the last straw." Worden said he realized he had more in common with Democrats after meeting with veterans supportive of Kerry during the campaign. Highly critical of the Bush administration for the Iraq War and recent wiretapping, Worden said, "It’s just fascism. It’s that bad." Worden isn’t the only one to break ranks with Republicans recently. Diane Davidson resigned as chairwoman of the Jackson County Republican Central Committee last year because she felt it was being run by a "good old boys" network. Davidson said she plans to run as an independent against Commissioner Dave Gilmour, a Democrat. Davidson didn’t give examples of the "good old boys" network. But Worden cited a recent incident in which commissioners Walker and C.W. Smith delayed the expansion of a livestock district near Siskiyou Summit. He said the commissioners sided with cattle ranchers at the expense of a property owner’s rights. Worden said the commissioners had little choice but to obey the law and approve the livestock district, which ultimately they did. Walker, responding to news that Worden had filed his candidacy, said, "I’ll probably make less comments about my opponent than ever before." He declined to elaborate on what he meant. "Everybody’s pretty aware of what my political views are, the things I’ve supported and the things I’ve accomplished," Walker said. While Worden believes he has more in common with Democrats than Republicans, officials for the Democratic Party locally remain cautious about his candidacy. "Well, he’s been a surprise," said Gail Beason, chairwoman of the Jackson County Democratic Central Committee. "I don’t know how he will fit with the Democratic Party." Beason said Democrats this weekend will be working on their new platform, which likely will include references to a pro- choice stance on abortion. She said Democrats generally support the right to bear arms, but are uncomfortable with Uzis or other automatic weapons. "I think it is going to be interesting to see if he remains comfortable with the party," she said. Worden, who plans to attend the platform meeting, said he finds a lot to like in the Democrats’ draft platform, noting that the abortion issue will be settled in the courts and not by county commissioners. "I’m in agreement with pretty much everything they write," he said. Worden said if elected, he would strive to generate more money for Jackson County by pushing for a national advertising campaign to promote tourism. He wants to work with Indian tribes to build a casino here to help boost the local economy. And he wants property tax relief so the elderly on fixed incomes aren’t forced to sell their homes. With his strong conservative views, Worden said he might be just what the local Democratic Party needs. "It’ll do more good to bring the Democratic Party to the center," he said. Reach reporter Damian Mann at 776-4476, or e-mail Militia man bolts GOP, runs for commissioner as Democrat ">[email protected] . 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