Politics

The deadline to file to run for Eugene City Council and two Eugene Water and Electric Board seats is Thursday, and so far only three of the six races on the May 18 primary ballot have drawn more than one candidate, according to the city recorder's office.

Candidates first file a prospective petition, then circulate the petition to gather 25 signatures from registered voters in the ward.

Candidates have until March 4 to complete their filing and petition for city office, according to the Eugene city recorder's Web site.

The Oregon Secretary of State and Lane County Elections indicate candidates for state and county office have until March 9 to file for the primary election.

The May 18 ballot will also ask Lane County voters to choose County Commissioners and decide on a local option tax that would support 4-H and the Lane County Extension Service.

And in the headline race, Oregon Republicans and Democrats will select their parties' candidates for governor of Oregon.

Voters have up until 21 days prior to the election to register to vote or change their voter registration.

Press release

In a joint statement issued Thursday, West Lane County Commissioner candidate Tony McCown announces he is ending his bid for the commissioner seat and is endorsing candidate Jerry Rust.

“After reviewing Jerry’s record and meeting with him personally, I have concluded that he will be an outstanding representative for West Lane County,” McCown said.

Rust praised McCown, as having an outstanding background in public service.  

"Tony’s dedication to public service in Lane County runs deep, where in a short period of time he has been appointed to serve on the Lane County Budget Committee, the Lane County Human Rights Advisory Committee and most recently as Vice-Chair to the Lane County Planning Commission. In 2008 he was elected to the board of Lane Community College where he was recently appointed Vice-Chair. Tony is committed to serving the public.  I am proud to have his endorsement," said Rust.

A pimp who sold underage girls to men for money, a man convicted of murder for hire, and the notorious "Gang Mom" who ordered a hit on a Eugene teen to keep him from testifying against her son: three of the hundreds of criminals from Lane County who have an opportunity to seek a reduction in their sentence under a law passed by the 2009 Oregon Legislature.

KVAL News reporter Laura Rillos is looking into the unintended consequences House Bill 3508, including this Wednesday's hearing for Mary Thompson (pictured above), the "Gang Mom" who ordered a hit on a teen to prevent him from testifying against her son.