Bowers bows out of county commissioner race
From our weekly issue dated May 12, 2010
Sunday, May 2 was a day that Grants Pass resident Ed Bowers will never forget.
Until recently, Bowers was one of 11 candidates running for Josephine County Commissioner Position 1, a seat currently held by Illinois Valley resident Dave Toler.
But Bowers, 68, has been battling health issues during the past few weeks. That has prompted him to abandon his bid for commissioner.
Bowers said that the trouble began in late March after he spent an entire day doing yard work. He developed a cramp in one leg, and while stretching to try and relieve the tension, Bowers said he became nauseated, fell and hit his head, and had to go to Three Rivers Community Hospital (TRCH).
There, Bowers underwent a complete physical exam, which revealed that his blood pressure was high. Other health issues also were identified, Bowers said.
Bowers was referred to a specialist and put on medication. He went about his business, and continued his campaign. That all changed on May 2, when Bowers suddenly collapsed.
“It was just like somebody hit me in the stomach with a baseball bat,“ he said.
His blood pressure had dropped dramatically when paramedics arrived to rush him to the TRCH emergency room. Although he was stabilized by the evening, Bowers said he knew that he had to abandon his campaign.
“They had machines hooked to me all night,“ Bowers said. “I didn“t think it was appropriate not to disclose it. If something gets worse, I don“t want someone to vote for me and throw away their vote.“
During a Friday, May 7 telephone interview, Bowers said that he was feeling much better. He added that leaving the race was a “tough decision,“ but a necessary one.
Bowers has decided to throw his support behind Toler, and focus on improving his health.
“I“m going to hang in there and see what happens,“ Bowers said.
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