I am a 78-year-old lifelong Democrat from Ashland and I completely disagree with two recent letters that have asked Sen. Jeff Golden to retire from the state Senate. 

The arguments presented by both writers are suggestive of the idea that, once a candidate reaches a certain age, they should step aside and let “the next crop” or “the next generation” have their turn. I think the argument is a specious one. While most of us would generally agree that there is a time to “pass the torch to a new generation,” it does not take into account the reality on the ground. That reality should make us all grateful that a seasoned senator like Golden is willing and able to serve another term. 

The reality on the ground is that the Republican candidate will be, in all likelihood, facing Brad Hicks, a well-connected former chief executive of the Medford and Jackson County Chamber of Commerce. You can expect Hicks, with his pedigree, to be hammering on the tired, old, deceptive Republican mantras of reducing taxation (he wants a capital gains “tax holiday”), removing so-called “excessive” regulations and supporting business (read that BIG business). 

Only higher-income households are significantly more likely to own stocks, and “excessive” regulations largely exist to protect our treasured land, air and water from exploitation by big business. 

What we need is an experienced senator who has a solid track record of supporting our common interests and the average rural and urban Oregonians who live here. By reaching across the aisle, as he did with the transportation bill and in taking the lead in pushing to repeal the flawed statewide wildfire hazard map, an effort that succeeded with a 29-0 unanimous bipartisan vote, Sen. Golden deserves our continued support. 

Andy Seles

Ashland