Rick Levine, the retired president of Rogue Community College, is challenging incumbent state Rep. Dennis Richardson, R-Central Point, for his seat.

Levine, a 67-year-old Applegate Valley resident and the sole Democrat in the primary, said he decided to get in the race to offer some counterbalance to Richardson, who is running unopposed in the primary.

"I think Dennis is a good legislator, but I have a different ideology and a different set of opinions than he does," Levine said. "I don't think running unopposed is a benefit for a political system."

Levine said he knows House District 4 is conservative, having lived there since 1971.

"I'm starting in an underdog position," he said.

Levine said he supports fiscal responsibility, but said that concept has been abused by both Democrats and Republicans in recent years. He said he's seen plenty of spending on both sides of the aisle over the years.

Levine said he's managed budgets of up to $50 million and has had firsthand knowledge of how money is spent and how important it is to spend it wisely.

He said the important thing to determine is what are you buying with the revenues available.

Levine said while social safety net programs are often criticized, they are programs that help families during very difficult situations.

He said the number of foreclosure notices is staggering, and he's noticed more homes in the $150,000 to $250,000 range, which often represent families whose wage earners have lost their jobs. Often, these families turn to social programs for help.

A volunteer at the Applegate Food Bank, Levine said he used to see the same people coming in to pick up food.

"Now I see people who had really good jobs that are laid off and are unemployed," he said.

He said schools, particularly community colleges, are a worthwhile investment of tax dollars because they provide an avenue for people to get new skills that will make them more employable.

Reach reporter Damian Mann at 776-4476, or e-mail dmann@mailtribune.com.