Voting (copy)

Two former city councilors, an accountant and perennial candidate for public office who was ordered to pay an underpayment penalty to the IRS, and a self-described “Slave to Christ” are running in the Medford mayor’s race in the November general election.

Current Mayor Randy Sparacino, who is running for Jackson County commissioner, is leaving office along with four councilors who are not seeking reelection: Sarah Spansail, Tim D’Alessandro, Chad Miller and Eric Stark.

Six candidates are running for the open council seats, though only two of the races are contested.

In the mayoral race, candidates Clay Bearnson, a downtown business owner, and Michael Zarosinski, a civil engineer, both previously served on Medford City Council from 2015-22.

Other candidates for mayor include self-described “Slave to Christ” Logan Leverette Vaughan, who ran unsuccessfully in this year’s primary election for commissioner, and Curt Ankerberg, who has run unsuccessfully 16 times for various local and state offices.

Bearnson, endorsed by the Independent Party of Oregon, stated in the Voters Pamphlet, “If we want a city that works for all of us, we need to elect leaders who are not bound by special interests or partisan platforms, and have the vision and courage to try new solutions.”

Zarosinski, endorsed by Sparacino, stated, “Medford is going through a significant leadership transition. Four councilors, the mayor, and the city manager are leaving. Our city needs an experienced leader at the helm.”

Vaughan, who ran unsuccessfully in the primary election for county commissioner, stated in the Voters Pamphlet that he wants to end corruption and “Make Medford Great Again.”

Vaughan has an ongoing case in Jackson County Circuit Court, facing two counts of menacing and one count each of stalking, criminal trespass and disorderly conduct.

Vaughan, who has a Nov. 14 trial date, was arrested on March 10 after a run-in with the pastor at Mountain Church in downtown Medford. He was then placed on a mental health hold at Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center for 24 days.

Ankerberg, a retired certified public accountant, describes Medford as “the most corrupt city in Southern Oregon” in the Voters Pamphlet.

In 2018, U.S. Tax Court Senior Judge Mary Ann Cohen ordered Ankerberg to pay back taxes and penalties for underpayment in 2012-14.

During past political campaigns, Ankerberg has railed against various opponents and community leaders, describing a state Senate candidate opponent as a “wh—” and the leader of a children’s nonprofit as a “dumba– slovenly pig.”

Medford City Council

In the council race, six candidates are vying for four open seats.

Mike Kerlinger, a real estate agent endorsed by Sparacino and Councilor Jessica Ayres, is running unopposed for the council Ward 1 position, which represents northeast Medford. He did not submit a photo for the Voters Pamphlet.

Kerlinger stated in the Voters Pamphlet, “By addressing the most pressing issues — safety, housing, and employment —we can improve every aspect of life in Medford.”

John Quinn, chief deputy district attorney in Siskiyou County and endorsed by outgoing councilor D’Alessandro, is running unopposed for the Ward 2 position, which represents southwest Medford.

Quinn said public safety is a priority for him. “I will work tirelessly with the police department to make our city safe again,” he said.

Two candidates, Garrett West and Elizabeth Leydsman, are running for the Ward 3 position, which represents northwest Medford.

Leydsman, a human resource specialist at La Clinica, is in her second term as a Medford Parks and Recreation Commissioner.

In the Voters’ Pamphlet, she stated she is a mother of two elementary school children and is “someone who wants her children and all residents to be proud of the city they live in.”

West, a land-use attorney at O’Connor West LLC who is endorsed by outgoing Councilor Miller, wants Medford to be safer, more affordable and more livable.

“My expertise is planning, building, and development,” he stated in the Voters’ Pamphlet. “I work every day with homeowners, builders, and state officials to reduce barriers and build more homes.”

Two candidates, Kevin Keating and Tyler Jasper, are running for the Ward 4 position, which represents southeast Medford.

Keating, a history and business teacher at St. Mary’s School, has been on a number of local boards and commissions, including the Medford Budget Committee and the Medford Parks and Recreation Commission.

“People want to visit and live here only when our neighborhoods, parks and downtown are safe and inviting,” he stated in the Voters Pamphlet. “I support law enforcement and first responders and will fund them appropriately.”

Jasper, a healthcare technology analyst, has been on a number of boards and commissions, including the Medford Transportation Commission and the Medford Parking Committee.

Jasper, endorsed by outgoing Councilor Spansail, supports housing and making sure seniors have the healthcare they need, particularly dealing with the caregiver shortage.

“I will prioritize public safety and the vitality of our downtown community,” he stated in the Voters’ Pamphlet. “More than ever, Medford needs to collaborate with local nonprofits and other agencies to make our taxes go further.”

Editor’s note: Medford mayoral candidate Curt Ankerberg issued a statement to the Rogue Valley Times after this article was published online. In part, it read: “I paid an underpayment penalty to the IRS, which is a civil penalty. Tax evasion is a criminal act, and I’ve never been charged with a crime in my life.” He urged voters to go to his website, curtankerberg.com. This story has been updated.

The Voters Pamphlet for the Nov. 5 general election was scheduled to begin being mailed to registered voters in Jackson County on Wednesday, Oct. 9. To learn more about local candidates and measures, consult your printed pamphlet or find it online at the Jackson County Elections Office website.