The Grants Pass Tribune continues its election coverage by providing Josephine County residents with direct insight from candidates seeking a seat on the Board of Commissioners. Each candidate has been asked the same set of questions to ensure consistency, transparency, and a fair opportunity for voters to evaluate where each individual stands on the issues that matter most to the community.
Konnor Kirkpatrick is among the candidates entering the race, bringing a platform centered on government accountability, housing solutions, and structural reform within local systems. Below are his responses, presented in his own words.
1. What is the central platform of your campaign? What specific issues motivated you to run for Josephine County Commissioner, and what are the top three priorities you would pursue if elected?
“Government should be run by the people for the people, not by corporations for monopolies. The failures in our local waste management franchises and the corruption they cause, along with the lack of progress on affordable housing, are what pushed me to run. My top priorities are fiscal responsibility, public communication, and building a circular economy.”
2. Public trust in county government has been strained in recent years. What steps would you take to restore transparency, professionalism, and public confidence in the Josephine County Board of Commissioners?
“I would allow public comment on individual Weekly Business Session matters instead of limiting it to a single general comment period. I would also implement regular public Q&A sessions so citizens can ask questions and receive responses in a public forum.”
3. County commissioners oversee millions of taxpayer dollars and shape the county budget. What principles will guide your budgeting decisions, and how will you ensure fiscal responsibility while maintaining essential services for residents?
“We need a needs-based budget, not one that spends money simply because it is available. Every decision should involve assessing actual need and weighing options before committing resources.”
4. Hiring practices within county government have been the subject of public debate. If elected, will you commit to avoiding the hiring of close friends, family members, or political allies for county positions, and what safeguards would you support to ensure merit-based hiring?
“Yes. I support merit-based hiring and avoiding even the appearance of impropriety. Any potential conflicts of interest should be disclosed.”
5. How do you believe the current and previous Boards of Commissioners have performed? What decisions or actions do you believe were handled well, and what would you have done differently?
“Both the current board and the previous board should have been more transparent and more intentional regarding personnel decisions.”
6. Commissioners frequently influence policy affecting land use, rural development, and economic growth. What is your vision for responsible economic development in Josephine County, and how would you balance growth with protection of the county’s rural character and natural resources?
“I support building a circular economy by creating jobs through repair and reuse, keeping money local by supporting small businesses, and strengthening our local economy from within.”
7. Political divisions and accusations of political bullying have become common topics in county government. How would you work with fellow commissioners, staff, and community members who strongly disagree with you?
“I do not have a political side. I focus on the issue at hand and doing what is right for the community. I welcome disagreement because it often leads to better, more balanced decisions.”
8. County commissioners often serve as the bridge between citizens and government departments. How would you ensure that residents feel heard and represented, particularly those who believe county leadership has ignored their concerns?
“We need regular public Q&A sessions with the Board of Commissioners so residents can directly engage and be heard.”
9. Josephine County faces ongoing challenges related to housing, infrastructure, public safety, and economic opportunity. Which of these issues do you believe deserves the most urgent attention, and what practical steps would you take in your first year in office?
“For housing and infrastructure, we do not need $30 million apartment complexes. We need smaller-scale solutions like tiny home communities with gardens and onsite work opportunities. Getting people into stable housing reduces strain on public safety and creates pathways for workforce development through sober living communities.”
10. Leadership matters as much as policy. What qualities make you the right person to serve as a Josephine County Commissioner, and how will your leadership style differ from what voters have seen in recent years?
“I do not just watch and complain. I have submitted proposals, drafted ordinances, and presented amendments as a citizen. I drafted an ordinance to address illegal dumping, submitted a solid waste mitigation proposal that was approved, and worked on amendments to franchise agreements that led to acknowledged changes. I also submitted a homelessness plan for the City of Grants Pass and developed a housing turnaround and community cleanup initiative that is already helping return homes to the market while creating jobs.”
11. Bonus Question – Ethics, Accountability, and Public Trust
Public confidence in government depends heavily on ethical leadership and accountability. If elected, how would you respond if you discovered corruption within a county department or within the Board of Commissioners itself? Please explain how you define corruption, cronyism, nepotism, and conflicts of interest in the context of public service, and describe the specific steps you would take to prevent or address these issues within Josephine County government.
“I have seen corruption in local government, and I will call it out whether I am a citizen or a commissioner. Public officials must be held accountable. Potential conflicts of interest, revolving door situations, and improper influence should be addressed openly and directly.”
As with all candidates featured in the Grants Pass Tribune’s election coverage, readers are encouraged to review each response carefully, compare positions, and stay informed as Josephine County prepares for the upcoming election.