doug whitsett retains senate seat by topping karl scronce kbra klamath 051612

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Doug Whitsett retains Senate seat by topping Karl Scronce

By SAMANTHA TIPLER, Herald and News 5/16/12

Doug and Gail Whitsett read over a congratulatory text message during a party at Yesterday’s Plaza as the results continued to trickle in Tuesday night.

State Sen. Doug Whitsett, a Klamath Falls Republican, likely will keep his seat as representing District 28.

In Klamath, Lake, Jackson, Deschutes and Crook counties, Whitsett averaged about 76 percent of the vote, while his Republican challenger, Karl Scronce, averaged about 24 percent.

In Klamath County, Whitsett garnered 6,133 votes, or 72 percent. He beat Scronce by 3,756 votes. Scronce received 2,377 votes in Klamath County, or 27.91 percent.

“I would say thanks to those who voted for me and all the people who work on our campaign. I am indebted to friends and neighbors for their efforts,” Whitsett said a little after 10 p.m. Tuesday. “I look forward to serving the people of District 28 for another four years, assuming I win in the general election this fall.”

Disappointment

Scronce was disappointed in Tuesday’s results.

“I gave it my best shot,” he said just after 9 p.m. Tuesday. “People I talked to talked like they wanted to see some change but I guess the majority out there didn’t.”

Whitsett is running for his third term in the Oregon Senate. There were no Democrats running in the primary election. Unless a challenger files before November, Whitsett will run unopposed.

His wife, Gail Whitsett, also won the state representative nomination for House District 56.

Whitsett said he has worked to get his message out about his conservative stance.

“I believe in a smaller, less intrusive government,” he said. “I want people to keep more money in their pocket to drive the economy and invest that money in businesses and creating jobs.”

Whitsett listed the economy and job creation as his top priorities. He previously said he wants to make Oregon more business friendly by reducing taxes, fees and unnecessary regulations.

Whitsett is against the Klamath Basin Restoration Agreement because he is against dam removal.

Whitsett is a former veterinarian who owned Klamath Animal Clinic. He also is a past president of the Oregon Veterinary Medical Association and has been active in the Oregon Cattlemen’s Association.

Scronce is a former wheat farmer who still is active in the agricultural community. He ran for the Oregon House in 2010.

Scronce said it wasn’t likely he would run for office again, but he said he still would try to help improve things for those living in the Klamath Basin.

“I’m not going to be sitting around,” he said. “This is a great area to live, and I’ll continue to do what I can for this county and hopefully have some success in something else.”

stipler@heraldandnews.com

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