Voters in Douglas County have seven candidates to choose from for County Commission Position Two.
Joe Laurence is vacating his Douglas County Commissioner spot, so none of the seven candidates are incumbents. If no one receives over 50 percent of the vote, the top two candidates will face a runoff in November.
Sally McKain is president of the Umpqua Valley League of Women Voters. She says Douglas County voters have typical concerns for their commissioners:
McKain: "I think budget, timber revenue, jobs. You know, the refrain we hear from all types of, levels of government."
McKain says health care and education are also hot topics in the county.
Tim Freeman is the best-known name on the ballot. A three-term state representative, he started campaigning early and has outspent everyone else. Other candidates include high school teacher Monte Muirhead, public works employee Glen Nielsen, retired restaurant owner Mark Vincent, construction manager Mick Fummerton, and retired Oregon State Police officer Monte Smith. Dale Rogers is running as an "anti-career politician."
Freeman hopes to win the race in the primary, but he'll have to get more votes than the six other candidates combined.
A candidates' forum takes place tonight (Tuesday) from 6 to 8 pm at the Douglas County Courthouse annex. All seven candidates will provide opening and closing statements, and will answer questions from the public.
Follow this link to a story on the candidates in the Roseburg / Douglas County News-Review.
