District 4: Prozanski.

Byline: The Register-Guard

E l e c t i o n 2 0 0 6

In mounting a challenge against state Sen. Floyd Prozanski, Republican Bill Eddie claims the incumbent Democrat isn't a good fit for Senate District 4. But Prozanski has made a successful transition from a mostly urban and reliably Democratic House district to a more rural and politically divided Senate district. He deserves a full Senate term.

Prozanski, 51, was appointed to represent Senate District 4 in 2003 after Tony Corcoran was named to the Employment Appeals Board, and he was elected to complete the last half of Corcoran's four-year term in 2004. The district covers southwest Eugene, the core of Prozanski's former House district, along with Republican-leaning southern Lane and northern Douglas counties.

The political divide in District 4 has been straddled in the past by such blue collar Democrats as Corcoran and Peg Jolin, both based in Cottage Grove. But Prozanski has extended his base beyond Eugene, and says all his constituents can find common cause on many issues.

For instance, as a city prosecutor for Eugene and Florence, Prozanski is well-attuned to the problems of public safety that cross party and geographic lines. And he served on the governor's task force that led to policies making the ingredients of methamphetamine harder to obtain.

Eddie, 59, retired from his dental practice in San Jose, Calif., five years ago and moved to Eugene, where he has long owned property. Like Prozanski, Eddie opposes Measure 48, which would clamp a tighter lid on state spending; Measure 41, which would graft federal rules onto the state income tax system at a high cost to state government; and Measure 45, which would limit legislative terms. Each of these positions sets Eddie apart from many Republican candidates.

Unlike Prozanski, Eddie supports Measure 43, which would require parental notification before a minor could obtain an abortion.

Eddie believes the state's land use regulations impede rural economic development, and he hopes to see tougher state policies to address crime. He accuses Prozanski of ignoring the rural parts of District 4 - a charge Prozanski sharply disputes.

Prozanski lists as examples of advocacy for his rural constituents his role in securing the state support that allowed the Murphy Co. to rebuild its Sutherlin plant after a fire, his work to bring high-speed Internet service to eastern Lane County and his intervention to ensure the construction of a full freeway interchange in Cottage Grove.

Prozanski is a Democrat with good ratings from labor and environmental groups, while Eddie is a Republican who could be expected to win high scores from business and small-government groups. But there's a more striking difference.

Not only does Prozanski have 10 years of experience as a legislator, he also has served on the Eugene Police Commission, the Lane County Domestic Violence Council, the Child Advocacy Center, the HIV Alliance and a half-dozen other groups.

Eddie's political experience is limited to service as a party precinct committee person, and he can't come close to matching the depth of Prozanski's work in volunteer and appointive positions. Such involvement demonstrates Prozanski's willingness to contribute his time and energy to his community's well-being, and is also a way to cultivate close connections to constituents.

Prozanski's legislative record would make him the favorite in District 4. His broad commitment to public service beyond the Legislature is the deal-closer.

Voters should re-elect Prozanski.