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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Home News Latest Stories Since You Asked: Blocked fishways less than rare a century ago Low water exposes Emigrant Lake's past Emergency Services OSP identifies pedestrian critically injured in Saturday morning hit and run More mental health care services bring peace of mind Crime, Courts and Emergency Services Emergency Services OSP identifies pedestrian critically injured in Saturday morning hit and run Emergency services Hit-and-run on Highway 62 leaves man in critical condition Emergency services Politics and Elections Falls: Jackson County sheriff's race isn't over Former sheriff calls Winters' retirement decision 'very wise' Will 'GMO effect' shape election? Dotterrer-Bates Senate race goes negative? 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Guest Opinion: Who's to blame for 2014 wildfires? ... Guest Opinion: Measure 91 will snuff out local tax measures ... OSP identifies pedestrian critically injured in Saturday morning hit and run ... Guest Opinion: Who's to blame for 2014 wildfires? ... Guest Opinion: Measure 91 will snuff out local tax measures ... POLITICS Will 'GMO effect' shape election? Analysts weigh in on what will motivate voters By Damian Mann Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Damian Mann Mail Tribune Posted Oct. 2, 2014 @ 2:00 am Updated Oct 2, 2014 at 10:42 AM By Damian Mann Mail Tribune Posted Oct. 2, 2014 @ 2:00 am Updated Oct 2, 2014 at 10:42 AM » Social News Enthusiasm for the anti-GMO effort helped propel some unusual victories locally in the primary election, but political observers offer mixed opinions about its impact heading into the November election.  “GMO (genetically modified organisms) was driving the wagon,” said Cathy Shaw, a political consultant who helped with the GMO and library district victories. “It was an event. It really had a different feel than any campaign I worked on before.”  The primary election brought out a certain type of voter, leading to a ban on growing GMOs in Jackson County, approval of a taxing district to fund Jackson County libraries and more votes for Ashland police Deputy Chief Corey Falls than incumbent Sheriff Mike Winters, though the two will square off again Nov. 4. The primary election was issue-based, and some analysts think candidates’ positions on issues will count in November.  “This is all driven by candidates,” Shaw said. Other political analysts aren’t so sure.  “I don’t think you can make a cut-and-dried impression,” said John Watt, a local political consultant. “There will be a lot of impact from food labeling.”  Watt said he shops at Costco, which he considers something of a bellwether of consumer trends. “There are now whole sections devoted to organics,” he said. The same is true for other stores such as Fred Meyer and Walmart, he said.  A candidate's stance on a particular issue could be a factor for voters, he said. Overall, this election will present voters with many choices, including lots of candidates and lots of issues, Watt said.  “It’s hard to say that it’s going to be one thing or the other,” he said. “It’s going to be fun to watch.”  Races for Senate District 3, governor, Jackson County commissioner positions and the Medford City Council will attract a wide range of local voters, analysts say. Those races, coupled with high-profile issues such as legalizing marijuana, may also draw a higher turnout than the primary, which  drew 56 percent. More than 63 percent of Democrats voted in that election, compared with 59 percent of Republicans and 43 percent of non-affiliated voters and members of other parties. Local voters may be particularly interested in the governor's race, in which Central Point Republican Dennis Richardson is trying to unseat Democratic Gov. John Kitzhaber. The closely watched District 3 race between Sen. Alan Bates, D-Medford, and Dave Dotterrer, R-Ashland — which many people believe will determine control of the Oregon Senate — will help bring out both Republicans and Democrats.  Jackson County Clerk Chris Walker, who oversees the Election Center, said she has seen a lot of activity in her office from supporters of Measure 92, which would require food manufacturers and retailers to label foods that contain GMOs. “It’s still a passionate issue for people,” she said. “It’s huge.”  Walker estimates voter turnout will hit about 75 percent in November, just shy of the 80-percent turnout in the last presidential election. Walker said her office also has seen a small amount of activity from supporters of Measure 91, which would legalize marijuana for people at least 21 years old. Chuck Heauser, chairman of the Jackson County Republican Central Committee, said, “I also agree that going into the general election there will be far more interest in the candidates.”  He said voter turnout was low in Medford in the primary and fairly high in Ashland, which helped influence the outcome of the election.  “That kind of reflects those issue-oriented measures,” he said.  Heauser said he expects Republicans will have a strong showing in the November election, partly because of the vigorous grass-roots campaign by Dotterrer.  However, he said the turnout isn’t likely to be as high as an election in a presidential year.  “We had a lot of emotion in the primary,” Heauser said. “I would love to see it carry over into the general election.”  Lynn Howe, chairwoman of the Jackson County Democratic Central Committee, said, “That primary was extraordinary.”  She said she expects some of the excitement from the May primary to spill over into November, particularly over issues such as GMO labeling.  “Chapter 2 is coming up,” she said. “Who we elect as county commissioners will make a difference in how the GMO ban is carried out.”  She said voters will also be paying attention to the candidates for the Senate seat and their position on the GMO issue. Also, she said many Democrats have been motivated by the negative ads and push polls that attack Bates. Overall, she said she expected this election to be more candidate-driven, but with a lot of attention paid to the issues.  “Chapter 1 is always more exciting than chapter 2,” she said.  Reach reporter Damian Mann at 541-776-4476 or [email protected]. Follow on Twitter at @reporterdm.   By Damian Mann Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Damian Mann Mail Tribune Posted Oct. 2, 2014 @ 2:00 am Updated Oct 2, 2014 at 10:42 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. 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