Political Desk

By DAVID BATES
Of the News-Register

Candidate statements for the Oregon Voters’ Pamphlet, which must be submitted within days of the filing deadline, typically provide some sense of the themes their authors will sound on the stump as Election Day approaches.
A quick glance at statements filed by the four candidates for the one open seat on the Yamhill County Board of Commissioners reveals:
- Donna Nelson wants you to remember her eight-year tenure in the Oregon Legislature, where she threw herself into work on behalf of taxpayers, veterans and private property owners.
- Leslie Lewis, going for a third and final four-year term in the Position 1 seat, lists endorsements from some key movers and shakers, including McMinnville Mayor Ed Gormley, Sheridan Mayor Val Adamson, Newberg Mayor Bob Andrews and two of Nelson’s local House colleagues — Reps. Brian Boquist, R-Dallas, and Kim Thatcher, R-Salem.
- Curt Johnson offers a lean, just-the-facts presentation of his occupational, educational and political background, which includes a stint on the Oregon Fryer Commission.
- Kris Bledsoe provides the same, along with a few short paragraphs summarizing her vision of Yamhill County and a direct, personalized appeal to voters.
In a considerably less crowded race, county assessor candidate David Devine’s submission is a straightforward, resume-style listing of his background, skills and goals. Most interestingly, his half dozen endorsers include the man he wants to replace, David Lawson.
Appraiser Scott Maytubby, the first to file for the seat, also lists the basic background material. But his submission, like Bledsoe’s, is primarily a direct, testimonial-style appeal to voters, outlining his vision of where the office stands and where he’d like to take it.
In the four-way race for county clerk, the winner of which will succeed Jan Coleman, the statements are heavy on lists — educational background, degrees, affiliations and goals — with very little “talking” to voters.
Kent Van Cleave, who has worked in the clerk’s office since 2004, presents most of his information in an informal, first-person narrative, noting his years of community involvement in McMinnville.
Brian Owen and Rebekah Stern Doll take that same approach at the end of their statements, which otherwise take a resume format. Jeff Doty rounds out the bunch, arguing that 20 years in the Washington County Clerk’s Office gives him “unrivaled experience.”