Springfield mayor out of U.S. House race, plans county bid

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Sid Leiken

By KVAL.com staff

Story Published: Mar 3, 2010 at 1:27 PM PST

SPRINGFIELD, Ore. -- Springfield Mayor Sid Leiken is dropping out of the race for the Congressional seat currently held by Rep. Peter DeFazio, D-Springfield.

Leiken plans to run for a seat on the Lane County Commission representing Springfield instead.

Leiken will join a crowded field for the seat on the commission, which to date has drawn six candidates, according to Lane County Elections.

Mark Callahan, Patrick Hurley Joe Pishioneri, Dave Ralston, Pat Riggs-Henson and Michael E Tayloe have already filed to run for the seat.

Press release from Sid Leiken

Today, Springfield Mayor Sid Leiken announced that he will become a candidate for the Springfield seat on the Lane County Board of Commissioners.

In a press conference held under the statue of the pioneer and white horse in Bill Fitch park, Former Lane County Commissioner Steve Cornacchia introduced and endorsed Sid as the newest candidate in this race.


Flanked by Springfield school board member Laurie Adams and many others, Mayor Leiken said, “Today, I’m announcing that I will be a candidate for the Springfield seat on the Lane County Commission. This is not a decision I make lightly. I’ve thought about this quite a bit
and for quite a while. In the last few weeks I’ve heard from people all over Springfield and frankly from all over Lane county encouraging me to consider this and I’ve come to the conclusion that I would have been an effective congressman in the long run – but a role like that takes time to work into. I can make a difference today at the county, where the people of Springfield need my efforts the most.


Springfield is where my heart is. I know the people of Springfield and the people of Springfield know me. And what they need most right now and how I can serve best is go to work trying to address the issues that face us all - close to home - here in Lane County. The County has a number of challenges. But the two highest on the list are Jobs and Public safety.


You know, after 13 years of volunteer service to the people of Springfield, I can tell you this, I understand what it takes to effectively generate jobs – and all you have to do is look around at the new business that has come to Springfield in the last few years to know how we’ve done.


When faced with public safety challenges, the people of Springfield know how to create solutions. Just look at our brand new justice center. The people of Springfield know how to get things done – and that building is the standing proof.


With all due respect to the other folks in this race, I am the only candidate who has run a business and who has run a government. Helping these two work together serves the people of our community. That is what I intend to bring to Lane County.”

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