Elections

The race for Bend's House Seat has been a bruising one, to say the least. Incumbent Judy Stiegler faces a serious threat from her Republican challenger, Jason Conger, a real estate attorney and investor, who has marshaled an impressive campaign to unseat Stiegler, at least from a cash perspective. The bulk of Conger's media campaign has focused on tearing down Stiegler's record on taxes and the state budget.

The state treasurer's office is like your liver: When it's working well you don't even notice it. But the state treasurer has an important – even vital – job, overseeing more than $65 billion worth of state investments and $120 billion a year in state banking transactions, among other things.
Ted Wheeler was appointed by the governor to fill the treasurer's post in March after the death of Ben Westlund. He's now asking the voters to elect him to finish the rest of Westlund's term, which ends in January 2003. We think he's earned the job.

In the Deschutes County Commissioner race, looks can be deceiving. This office is one of those positions that, against all reason, is partisan. County Commissioners work on land use, public safety, or locking horns with constituents over waste mitigation… not exactly the kind of platform issues that define a (D) or an (R).

Joyce Segers isn't gong to be elected to Congress this year, or ever. And that's a good thing, because she may be one of the least prepared candidates we've ever seen for a seat as important as that of a United States congresswoman. But that's not going to stop us from endorsing her for the position. And that alone should tell you more than you would ever need to know about her opponent, Republican Greg Walden who has held the seat for 10 long years.
During that time Walden has amassed a record of nearly unmatched conservatism that solidified his place as an up and comer in the Republican Party Central Committee. But it's come at the expense of his constituents and in many instances defied common sense. But that's Walden for you, a man who has always been more about posturing than good public policy.

The decision in the U.S. Senate race in Oregon is as close to a no-brainer as it can get. Ron Wyden has given us 14 years of distinguished service in the Senate, and his opponent, Jim Huffman, has given us no reason that he should replace him.

The Deschutes County Clerk remains, thankfully, a non-partisan position in Deschutes County. That's as it should be, given the clerk's role in overseeing all local elections. While the local Republican Party has worked to push the candidate whose personal politics reflect its own, we're not going down that road. While we like Geri Hauser and believe she would make a fine clerk, we see no reason to pull Nancy Blankenship from her post simply because she is registered as a Republican.

Fri. Oct. 8
Bend Business PAC City Council Candidate Forum

The forum is presented by the Chamber of Commerce PAC and will focus on business-oriented issues.

Measure 71
Would have Oregon legislators convene annually each year to tend to the state's business, as opposed to every other year. – Yes.

It's not the money, or the free food (yes councilors are still provided meals before their meetings) and it certainly isn't the prestige that attracts people to the job of city councilor. The long hours, late meetings and the scrutiny of an entire city aren't terrific incentives either. But we still manage to get a few city councilors who are willing to serve simply because they believe in keeping Bend a great place to live while helping the city meet the growing challenges of the 21st century.

The Bend city council is a non-partisan board, but be assured, it has its ideological divides. That's why the race for Bend City Council Seat 7 is so important this year. The seat has been held by former Mayor Oran Teater since his controversial appointment to the seat two years ago when the council deadlocked on a successor to Chris Telfer. Since that time, Teater has helped cement the conservative majority on the city council, a block that includes realtor Tom Greene, Mayor Kathie Eckman, and attorney and former Greg Walden staff member Jeff Eager.