Only Democrat so far to file for May 17 primary
By Bert Etling, Ashland.news
Oregon Sen. Jeff Golden, D-Ashland, will seek reelection, he announced in a news release Monday, Feb. 28.
Golden was elected to a first four-year term in state District 3 in 2018 with 55% of the vote against Republican candidate Jessica Gomez.
As of Tuesday, March 1, no other Democrat had filed to challenge Golden, a former Jackson County commissioner and public radio and television broadcaster, in the May 17 primary.
“The last four years’ sessions have had solid accomplishments: big steps on wildfire preparation and recovery, as well as unprecedented housing, mental health, water system and school investments,” Golden said in the release. “But let’s be honest. The list of crucial work left to do is longer. …
“I ask the voters of District 3 to renew my contract with them, and their trust in me, for four more years…. I want to devote a second four years to pushing tenaciously for changes that can put us on track to give our kids and their kids the future they deserve. … I ask for the privilege of a second term because there’s still time to do better.”
Two Republicans, artist Kevin Christman of Talent and Medford Mayor Randy Sparacinio, have filed in District 3, which includes Medford, Phoenix, Talent, Ashland, Jacksonville, Ruch, the Applegate Valley and the Greensprings region. The deadline to file for the primary is Thursday, March 10.
Two filed for District 5 primary
Incumbent Oregon House Rep. Pam Marsh, D-Ashland, a former Ashland city councilor and co-owner of the Greensprings Inn, filed Jan. 22 for her fourth two-year term as District 5 representative.
Sandra Ambercrombie of Medford, a retired math coach, filed Feb. 25 in the Republican primary.
District 5 includes the south side of Medford, Phoenix, Jacksonville, Talent, Ashland, the Applegate Valley and the Greensprings.
Email Ashland.news Executive Editor Bert Etling at betling@ashland.news, or call or text him at 541-631-1313.
