On the final stretch of their political campaigns, The Chronicle asked candidates to reflect on what they have learned from the community and what their closing promise to voters is ahead of the May 19 election.
Lane County Commissioner (Springfield): Specifically represents the City of Springfield, overseeing county-level services and land-use planning that directly affects the city’s urban core and its residents. These non-partisan officials manage the county’s multi-million-dollar budget, focusing on local infrastructure such as roads, parks, and public health services. They serve four-year terms.
David Loveall, incumbent
Age: 64
Hometown: Springfield, OR
Top priority in three words: Improve people’s lives.
One word to describe your leadership style: Passionate
One word to describe our community: Unbeatable
One word to describe you at your best: Unstoppable
One word to describe you at your worst: Unstoppable
Favorite local landmark: Downtown Springfield
Biggest local asset: Downtown Springfield mixed-use buildings
Last local event you attended: BLOCK PARTY
A historical figure you admire: Evil Knievel
Lane County Commissioner – Springfield
David Loveall, incumbent
The community is tired of taxation to solve problems. This county and state are tax-saturated. The doors we’ve knocked on and the folks we’ve spoken to are concerned about businesses leaving the area, the difficulty in starting a business, the overall job outlook, and the worry that the next generation will not have a reason to stay.
Costs of housing, essentials, and living expenses are at a tipping point due to rising inflation and frozen property tax revenue. The county must continue to hold the line on Public Safety and prosecution to ensure we can live in a safe community.
Public service program expenses can’t continue if they aren’t self-sustaining. For the most part, they agree deep cuts must take place, followed by a plan to rebuild, but opinions differ greatly on what needs to be cut. This is where a tough, business-minded, and compassionate leader needs to be at the table.
Most appreciate my direct, unabashed work as essential to protecting their constitutional rights, freedoms, and liberties, thanking me for taking up this fight on their behalf.
My passionate leadership style, not being afraid to be the “tip of the spear” on tumultuous issues, asking the “elephant in the room” questions, taking a hard stand on the wasteful Cleanlane project, and exposing some (less than transparent) moves by the county in super-siting manuevers to avoid land management codes and zonings, have spoken loudly to the voters, “I work for you”.
I’ve answered every email, every phone call, and had countless discussions with people on both sides of an issue. As board chair, I presided over 331 decisions; 14 were split. Don’t be misled by emotion-grabbing headlines with no truth. I work with people, honestly and without the political playbook.
I’m not a politician, I’m a doer.
Sean VanGordon
Age: 46
Hometown: Roseburg, OR
Top priority in three words: Economic Development
One word to describe your leadership style: Collaborative
One word to describe our community: Hardworking
One word to describe you at your best: Grounded
One word to describe you at your worst: Long-winded
Favorite local landmark: The PublicHouse
Biggest local asset: The People of Springfield
Last local event you attended: Eugene Emergency Physicians Keep Health Care Local Fundraiser
A historical figure you admire: Teddy Roosevelt
For the last six months, you have invited me into your homes and businesses. I sat at kitchen tables, walked on shop floors, and knocked on doors across the district. People are worried about making ends meet. They are worried about the cost of living, their kids’ education, instability from Washington, and the sense that Oregon has lost its way. Many people feel unheard and unappreciated, even as they work incredibly hard every day to make it. I have met parents juggling multiple jobs, small business owners trying to keep their doors open, and retirees who are stretching every dollar. These conversations have stayed with me.
I am an optimist, and I believe there is always hope. I decided to run for county commission because I believe Lane County can be more responsive to its communities. People want to see progress in Glenwood, where a partnership with the county will help. They want the county to prioritize intersections like Bob Straub and Daisy, and to support Springfield as it works to improve the Gateway intersection. They want it to be easier, more consistent, and more predictable to build on their own property. They want to understand the county’s legislative goals so they can follow the work and participate. These are practical expectations that reflect a desire for a county government that listens and follows through.
My promise is to work every day to restore trust in your county commission. We will face hard tradeoffs, but I want you to be part of the conversation and to have all the facts. We will not fix every challenge tomorrow, but we can make real progress together. Springfield and Lane County are amazing communities, and I am grateful that this is my home and yours.
