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89 °F Forecast | Road Cams Monday, April 26, 2004 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find a Rental Place an ad eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Network Affiliate Email Story to a Friend March 10, 2004 Kupillas faces primary race Densmore challenges for Dem nomination to county commission By DAMIAN MANN Mail Tribune Two people are running for the position now held by Jackson County Commissioner Sue Kupillas, who seeks re-election this year. Medford resident Sue Densmore, who has been active in community groups and owns Sue Densmore Communication Strategies, will challenge Kupillas in the Democratic primary on May 18. Former sheriff C.W. Smith, who is now a captain with the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department and heads the records and civil division, will be the Republican contender in the November election. Densmore said it was a difficult decision to run against Kupillas, whom she considers a friend. "My support group kept saying to do it," she said. "I’ve considered this for a long time." Densmore said she wasn’t prepared to itemize the differences between their political philosophies. Advertisement However, she said, "A lot of things we’re similar on." Densmore characterized her own style as bringing people together, citing the work done to bring $8 million in improvements to Gold Hill. "I want to be part of the change in Jackson County," she said. "There will be a lot of issues with growth that will need to be addressed." Kupillas said she has been opposed in each of her previous four elections, so competition is nothing new. Kupillas acknowledged there has been an "anybody but Sue" sentiment against her, coming primarily from Ashland. "That’s been out there for a couple of years," she said. The sentiment, she said, was prompted by her stand on the creation of the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument. Instead of the 52,000 acres that was finally agreed upon, she offered a compromise of 15,000 acres. "The people in Ashland thought it should be 52,000 acres," she said. Kupillas said every decision she’s made has angered someone in the valley, regardless of party affiliation. On some issues she’s too conservative for liberals, on others she’s too liberal for conservatives, she said. However, she thinks she has been consistent on issues. "People know exactly where I stand on things," she said. "I haven’t waffled around." She refuted rumors about her health taking a turn for the worse. "I’m totally healthy," said Kupillas, who underwent breast cancer surgery in 2002. She had a battery of tests conducted recently because of a "blip" in an earlier test. But the problem turned out to be an unusual reading because of scar tissue. Smith was unavailable for comment Tuesday. Reach reporter Damian Mann at 776-4476, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2004 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback 3 WEEKS FREE! ADVERTISERS A D V E R T I S E R S RESOURCES Oregon Road Conditions & Cams SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Since We Asked Food for Thought Wellness Connection Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Opportunities Prime Times