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Densmore drops out of House race Al Densmore Wednesday Mar 14, 2018 at 4:40 PM Mar 14, 2018 at 4:40 PM Damian Mann Mail Tribune @reporterdm Former Medford Councilor Al Densmore has ended his bid for the Oregon House seat now held by Sal Esquivel, citing an uphill battle against a number of opponents. “It doesn’t appear that it’s time yet for that kind of an effort to be successful” Densmore said. “It was one thing when there was just one other candidate.” The 71-year-old Medford resident chose a difficult route to win the seat, filing as an Independent write-in candidate. He also said the chance for making his case as an Independent Party candidate would have been particularly difficult in Salem, where politics are divided sharply along party lines. “We have a process driven by Salem,” he said. Instead of setting his sights on Salem, Densmore said he would concentrate on pressing local concerns, particularly the planned improvements at Bear Creek Park in Medford. “I think that it would be best to apply my talents and energy to the playground,” he said. He’s been working to build enough funds to hit the city’s $610,000 fundraising target for a new Bear Creek Park playground. The city will contribute $150,000, and Densmore and other supporters have four months to raise $460,000. As part of the effort, Densmore said he has to find 200 volunteers who will need to show up over a nine-day period to erect the new facility. “That’s going to be a big order for myself and my supporters,” he said. “The new playground will be a benefit to children and families.” Densmore stepped into the race in February when the only other candidate for House District 6 was Republican Kim Wallan, a Medford city councilor. On the last day to file, March 6, Democrats Michelle Blum Atkinson and Rick Schreffler filed their candidacy papers. Esquivel, a Republican, is not seeking re-election. Densmore was a Republican until a few months ago, saying he became a member of the Independent Party after deciding it better reflected his political beliefs. He was a registered Democrat from about 1970 to 1990. In 1976, he was elected mayor of Medford and served until 1983. In 1970, when he was 24, Densmore was elected to the Oregon House and served for six years while also working as a teacher in Medford. Reach reporter Damian Mann at 541-776-4476 or [email protected]. Follow him on www.twitter.com/reporterdm.