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About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (Aug. 18, 2004)
Libertarian Party to field 32 candidates in Oregon The anti-tax candidates might affect several races, one expert says ASSOCIATED PRESS SALEM — The Libertarian Party, which seeks to reduce the size and reach of government, plans to field a record 32 candidates in Oregon's gen eral election. While it's unlikely that any of the candidates will win, the anti-tax party could affect several races. Its members campaigned actively over the winter to defeat a ballot measure that would have raised taxes. Voters rejected that tax increase 59 percent to 41 percent, giving the party hope that its candidates will resonate with Oregon voters this fall. "I have not seen Libertarians have this good a chance at influencing can didate elections since the mid-1970s," said Jim Moore, a political science professor at Pacific University. Like Democrats, Libertarians sup port abortion rights, assisted suicide and other social causes that limit gov ernment telling people how to live their lives. But they also disdain taxes and big government — traditional Re publican territory. The Libertarian slate includes near ly two dozen legislative candidates, including former gubernatorial candi date Tom Cox, who won almost 5 percent of the vote when Democrat Ted Kulongoski defeated Republican JJ __LJ Welcomes law students, new, and returning students. Here’s how we do it S Onsite physicians & nurse practitioners S Free FPEP women/men’s health care S Low cost Pharmacy S Physical Therapy & Sports Medicine S Blood Pressure Screening S Counseling S Travel Clinic S Free Cholesterol Screening S Lab ^ Tobacco Cessation Support S Dental Health Clinic SIMMER HOIKS OPEN MONDAY FRIDAY: MWThF 8am to 4:30pm, Tuesdays 9am to 4:30pm Appointments and after hours: 346-2770 http://healthcenter.uoregon.edu FALL DOORS SEGIN SEPT. 21 O UNIVERSITY OF OREGON HEALTH CENTER Kevin Mannix in 2002. This time, Cox hopes to defeat Rep. Mary Gallegos, R-Cornelius, one of 11 House Republicans who voted for the tax increase that voters ultimately rejected. "Tom will be the guinea pig to watch," Moore said. "He has never done a serious campaign. Will we see it this time?" Libertarians could also play a role in several other House races that have no incumbent, such as House District 54, which Rep. Tim Knopp, R-Bend, will give up. Libertarian Tristan Reisfar is taking on Democrat Judy Stiegler and Re publican Chuck Burley, both of whom he says support tax and fees increases. "At the very least, I will force candi dates to take hard stances on some of these issues," Reisfar says. Mannix, the Oregon Republican Par ty chairman, said he's telling members to "stop paying any attention" to Liber tarian candidates, who he says have lit tle in common with Republicans. But the tax issue is important enough that some Republicans wouldn't mind seeing a Democrat de feat a Republican. Tax activist Don Mclntire said the Executive Club, a decades-old conser vative group to which he belongs, vot ed to back Cox against Gallegos. ‘There's a chance his entry into the race could deliver the votes for the De mocrat, but on balance, we've decid ed that's better than continuing with somebody who's a lousy Republican," Mclntire said. Gallegos responds that voters "want somebody making tough deci sions in Salem," even if they don't agree on every issue. Unlike the two major parties, the Libertarian Party, Oregon's third largest, lacks money for mailings and the hordes of volunteers to knock on doors. But Richard Burke, the party's executive director in Oregon, said the party is maturing and gaining clout. "It all boils down to that we de cided we're going to be a political party," he said. 019324, lowrs mm Restaurant and Lounge Authentic Chinese Cuisine Fresh, Quality Ingredients 947 Franklin Blvd. (near UO) • 343-4480 Individual, Family Style, Banquets to 100, Take Out Tues.-Thurs. 11-10:30, Fri. 11-11 Sat. 12-11, Sun. 11:30-10 BIRKENSTOCK Let’s face it, law school is tough. So why make your life more difficult by wearing uncomfortable shoes? Instead, try footwear offering a balance of comfort and style. That’s where Birkenstock and Footwise can help. When it comes to comfort and style we set the precedent. FOOTWISE THE BIRKENSTOCK STORE 181 E Broadway Downtown Eugene Mon-Sat 10-6; Sun 11-5 342-6107 Craft Center
