Orr Considering Challenge To Mccaslin For Senate Seat Democrat Focusing On Education As Campaign Issue

Thu., May 16, 1996

By Ward Sanderson wards@spokesman.com

Firefighter George Orr won’t officially go on record saying that he will run for the state Senate against Bob McCaslin.

But the 53-year-old Democrat says he’s definitely considering a run. If he does decide to run, he will announce it in June.

But when Orr talks about issues that may be important in the race for the 4th District, he sounds as if he’s campaigning already.

“I think always the issue that affects our community is schools,” Orr said Tuesday. “You can’t just get out of high school and get to work.”

Orr said initiating a dialogue among legislators, businesses and schools is vital to ensuring that young people have the skills necessary to get jobs after high school.

The role of the legislator, Orr said, is making sure everyone sits down and talks. Business people should say what skills they expect graduates to have, and school officials should work toward making sure graduates can cut it.

It isn’t surprising that education is a hot button for Orr. He served on the Central Valley School Board from 1983 until 1990, when he was elected to the state House. He was unseated by Republican Larry Crouse in 1994.

Republican McCaslin announced May 2 that he would run for a fifth Senate term. As he announced his candidacy, McCaslin told about 120 supporters he wants to see the state’s Growth Management Act repealed.

Orr said Tuesday that the GMA isn’t perfect, but “you can’t throw the baby out with the bath water.”

It is necessary to protect rural and wilderness areas, Orr said, because he feels they are important to people in the Northwest.

“Growth is an issue that won’t go away, so let’s talk about it,” Orr said.

But he also doesn’t think GMA will be the one deciding factor in the race for the 4th District.

“GMA isn’t the end-all, do-all in the state Legislature,” Orr said.

, DataTimes

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