Tracy Thompson, who has previously been featured in the Grants Pass Tribune’s coverage of the Josephine County Commissioner race, continues to outline a platform centered on restoring trust in local government, improving transparency, and preparing the county for long-term economic change. A nine-year resident of Josephine County with a background in international business and government advisory work, Thompson says his decision to run stems from ongoing concerns over leadership, accountability, and the direction of county governance.
Below are Thompson’s full responses to the Grants Pass Tribune candidate questionnaire.
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?
“The main issue that motivated me to run is the gross abuse of office by essentially every Commission I have seen since arriving here nine years ago.
My top three are restoring confidence that the government represents all the people, not just the monied and well connected. Second is economic development that will prepare our County for the AI and automation wave that is coming. We need more non-automatable jobs, because many low-skilled desk jobs are going away. This needs to integrate schools, training programs, and local businesses.
Third, use our natural resources to address more energy independence as other counties have done. We have the most sunshine west of the Cascades, and we need to use it.”
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?
“First and foremost, civility. Government is supposed to be a place where ideas can be explored and implemented to serve the people of the community. Agreement is not always necessary, but civility and respect are.
No backroom deals, no crony hires, and no toeing the party line. I follow a utilitarian approach, the most good for the most people.”
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?
“This is the one area where business and government have something in common, fiscal responsibility. The taxes imposed by government are an extraction from unwilling participants, and those funds need to be managed responsibly.
My first step would be to implement efficiency programs with existing staff. There is room for a minimum efficiency increase of 25 percent that will also make our County government more responsive to the needs of the community.”
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?
“This is precisely the type of cronyism I called out in a public BCC meeting. Spending public funds for a good ol’ boy hire is immoral and potentially illegal.
We don’t want second-tier candidates. We must expect more, and qualifications need to be vetted before a hire is made.”
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?
“If I thought they were effective, I wouldn’t be running.
Bad faith negotiations with respect to the Pipe Fork issue, sweetheart deals like the Sportsman’s Park sale, and the below-value sale of the Flying Lark to a non-tax generating organization are just a few examples of bad financial and covert dealings that need to have bright lights shone on them.”
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?
“This is certainly challenging because private property rights and community interest are often at odds.
As economic growth is top of mind, I believe we can use our natural resources to increase energy independence like other counties. Utilizing sunshine and biomass, we can become a net generator contributing to our General Fund.
I am also opposed to clear-cutting because if we want to attract eco-tourists, scarred hillsides are not a great look.
We also have two airports that are underperforming assets. We should be attracting drone builders or developing an airframe and powerplant training program. We need more future-facing jobs.”
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?
“Government is about debate and discussion, and compromise is essential.
After 30 years in international business, I have negotiated hundreds of contracts where it is about give and take. You have to find where you agree first, build momentum, and then work on the harder issues.
Too often, these roles are treated like personality contests instead of competency roles.”
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?
“I always ask, what do you think?
As a scientist, you can only make decisions when you have enough of the right information. The more data, the better informed your decision.
I often talk with people I disagree with, but their perspective is no less valuable.”
9. Josephine County faces ongoing challenges related to housing, infrastructure, public safety, and economic opportunity. Which of these issues deserves the most urgent attention, and what practical steps would you take in your first year in office?
“To separate those misses the bigger picture. Poverty, homelessness, and public safety are all tied together.
With no economic opportunity, you get increased poverty, which leads to homelessness and increased crime. In my view, we need to address homelessness first.
I would like to see us use land resources to build tiny home communities. This creates jobs and may present an opportunity to export solutions to other communities. It also addresses seniors being priced out of housing.
There is substantial federal funding available, so it would not burden the current budget.”
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 have worked for decades leading teams with direct authority, but more importantly in matrix-management structures where I had to lead large projects without direct authority.
You can only lead the willing, so my approach is to be as inspirational as possible. While I do not believe in consensus management, I do expect participation in discussions so all perspectives are evaluated.”
Bonus Question – Ethics, Accountability, and Public Trust
“In my 40 years, I have never had any ethical or accountability issues in either the private sector or my work with state and national governments.
I managed a 12 million dollar investment portfolio for a government research institute and advised on a 400 million dollar research and development fund.
I am always motivated by doing the right thing, even when it means putting personal views second.”
As the Grants Pass Tribune continues its candidate interview series, voters will have the opportunity to hear directly from those seeking public office in Josephine County, providing insight into their priorities, leadership styles, and vision for the future of the community.