Medford, Ore. — Supporters of Rogue Valley State Senator Alan Bates say the ads run by his opponent, Dave Dotterrer, are false claims.
The ad’s attack Bates track record on crime and domestic abuse issues.
Bates’ supporters released a press release Friday morning, claiming that Dotterrer is “twisting the facts.”
Dotterrer declined to speak on camera Friday but did respond with a statement, which can be read below.
One of the commercials put out by Dave Dotterrer’s campaign talks about Alan Bates support for House Bill 3805, passed in 2009.
The bill shortened the prison sentences for criminals to help save money.
The bill initially shortened sentences for all criminals, including those with sexual abuse and drug backgrounds.
Bates says 3 months after that bill passed, the senate revised the bill to make sure those sentences were served.
” It would save 6-8 million dollars and use it in other programs,” Bates told NBC 5 Friday.
Below are copies of both the press release from Bates supporters and Dotterrer’s campaign.
Bates’ Supporters:
Community leaders responded today to an ad aired on television attacking Senator Alan Bates track record on womens rights and domestic abuse issues. Its important for Southern Oregon voters to know the truth. Senator Alan Bates has been a champion for womens issues for the past decade. It is wrong for his opponent to twist the facts to try and tarnish his record, said Dr. Rita Sullivan.
Senator Alan Bates sponsored Senate Joint Resolution 24, a resolution that proposed an amendment to the Oregon Constitution relating to equal rights be referred to the ballot for Oregon voters during the general election. While the Senate Joint Resolution did not move, Bates has endorsed Ballot Measure 89, the Equal Rights Amendment.
Senator Bates understands the complex and brutal cycle of domestic abuse and sexual violence, and has worked to address these issues not only in Southern Oregon, but across the state, said Leslie Kendall,who has been treating victims of domestic violence for almost 11 years. While his opponent is hitting him on his vote on HB 3508 during the 2009 session, the bill actually increased funding for domestic and sexual violence prevention for the biennium, during the height of the recession when funding was cut for many other programs.
While individuals who commit crimes need to be held accountable, it is important that in a time when prisons are overcrowded, we make common sense decisions. It is critical to keep the most dangerous violent offenders behind bars, while providing lower cost community-based alternatives to prison fornonviolent criminals that help inmates re-enter society, said retired former Jackson County District Attorney Mark Huddleston. Senator Bates is able to see past the politics, and take tough votes when it comes to our criminal justice system, and we need his leadership in Salem.
Dotterrer’s Campaign Response:
“Alan Bates is accountable to the people of Southern Oregon for the votes he makes in the State Senate.
“Whatever his rationale and justification, the fact remains that Alan Bates voted for House Bill 3508, a bill with one main objective: to save a little bit of money by letting criminals out of jail early, including those convicted of sex crimes and drug dealers.
“Alan Bates voted against Senate Bill 347 B, which protected the privacy of domestic violence victims who secured a Concealed Carry License to protect themselves. And when Alan Bates had the chance to pass the Equal Rights Amendment on the Senate floor, the record shows he voted no.
“Dave Dotterrer would have voted exactly opposite Alan Bates on every single one of these bills. The votes of Alan Bates have jeopardized the safety of our communities, our homes and victims of abuse.
“These are important areas of distinction between Alan Bates and Dave Dotterrer, and voters deserve to know how their priorities are different.”
© 2024 KOBI-TV NBC5. All rights reserved unless otherwise stated.