Morgan breezes to win

ran Nov. 4,, 1998

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by JOHN SOWELL
The News-Review

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Susan Morgan is on her way to Salem to succeed longtime state Rep. Bill Markham in District 46. Morgan, the Myrtle Creek Republican, easily beat out Democrat Vic Corchero, the city councilor from Shady Cove, in votes cast at the polls Tuesday. Morgan received 8,663 votes, or 72 percent, to 3,290 votes, or 28 percent for Corchero. The totals do not include several thousand absentee ballots cast in Douglas, Josephine and Jackson counties. Final results may not be announced until Friday. "That pretty well says it all," Corchero said this morning of the vote totals. "I congratulate Susan and wish her well. I wanted to put some interest in the race and I think I did that." "I'm very optimistic that I have enough of a lead to win the seat," Morgan said. "I'm a little numb over it. We worked really hard through the primary and the general election." Corchero said he was disappointed that he didn't do better in Douglas County, where he received only 1,613 votes to 5,155 for Morgan. "The Democrats still exist up there, as far as I can see," Corchero said, in reference to the fact voter registration in Douglas County is closely split between Democrats and Republicans, although that isn't usually reflected in voting patterns. Morgan said she planned to hold town hall meetings on a regular basis in cities throughout the district. She said she hoped to make residents of the two southern counties feel they count for something. Corchero said that during his years in the House, Markham had ignored those areas, a perception Morgan said she hopes to squash with her town meetings. "It's going to go a long way to show them they're being listened to and that they do matter. I don't want to ignore any part of the district," Morgan said. Morgan spent more than $26,000 during the campaign to replace Markham, who has served in the Oregon House since 1969 and who was forced to retire because of term limits. She campaigned as a seamless successor to Markham who would continue to fight to protect personal property rights and stressing support for small businesses. Morgan, a timber buyer for C&D Lumber in Riddle, spent 17 years on the South Umpqua Planning Advisory Committee. Corchero ran a thrifty, low-key campaign and spent a total of $1,500 for both the primary and general election campaigns. He concentrated his efforts on knocking on doors throughout the district and attending public gatherings. "I still think money has no place in politics," he said. Corchero knew he faced an uphill battle in the deeply conservative district, but felt he gave voters a real choice from Morgan. The retired IBM Corp. worker campaigned on a platform that stressed education, support for programs for senior citizens and protection of water and personal property rights. Editorial-Upper Rogue Independent, November 10, 1998 Nancy Leonard, (publisher / editor) It's nice to be a winner. It's usually pretty easy to be gracious as a winner, whether it's in politics or in football. But the real strength of character and the true depth of a person comes from the behavior exhibited when they don't win. Vic Corchero stood tall when he lost the district #46 race to Susan Morgan. He found reason to be positive. He believes he made a difference, there will be more attention given to Shady Cove as a result of his entry, Morgan has agreed. Corchero believes she will do a good job. He was a good loser and, consequently, won't be seen as one. Ps: I thank you very much, Nancy; Vic

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