>La Grande Observer | Union and Wallowa Counties' News Leader

Kyle Corbin, the last of three local men to file to run for the Republican nomination for the Union County Board of Commissioners, last week named rural health care and enhanced law enforcement services as two of his top concerns.

On health care, Corbin noted that Union is one of two cities in the county struggling to keep a medical clinic open. The clinics provide vital services, he said.

“Our health care structure is very important. Those clinics serve thousands of people from throughout the county,” he said.

On county law enforcement, Corbin, who recently helped his city through negotiations for a contract with the sheriff’s office, said he hopes coverage can be expanded and improved in all the rural outlying areas.

“We need to collaborate to do the best we can to expand coverage to places where there isn’t any,” he said.

Corbin signed up to run for county commissioner, just under the March 11 filing deadline. His decision to run set up a three-way race for the Republican nomination.

His opponents are John Lamoreau and Mark Davidson. Jim Mollerstrom and Greg Franklin are vying for the nomination on the Democratic side.

Corbin won a measure of fame in 2006, when he was elected mayor of Union. At 18, he was reported to be the second youngest person in the United States ever elected a mayor.

He said his decision to run that year was a response to Union’s ever-contentious political climate.

“When you grow up seeing people you know arguing with and bullying each other, it’s disheartening,” he said. “When I got old enough, I thought, ‘What better way could there be to do my part?’” he said.

A Union native, Corbin served as Union High School’s class president his senior year. After graduation, he enrolled at Eastern Oregon University.

He ran for mayor while taking freshman classes in politics, philosophy and economics. He is not attending school currently but said he hopes to return to classes next year.

He said encouragement from family and friends influenced his decision to try for the county commissioner’s post.

“It’s something I’ve been thinking about for months,” Corbin said. He added that he thinks a crowded field of candidates bodes well for voters.

“I think the more choices you have the better decision you can make,” he said.