Fred Starr is among the five current candidates for West Lane County Commissioner.

18-year-old homeschooler and volunteer firefighter is politically savvy.

An 18-year-old Mapleton home-schooled student is looking to shake up the campaign field for a burgeoning county commissioner race.

Fred Starr, who moved to the Mapleton area from Kentucky four years ago, said he decided to run after current West Lane County Commissioner Bill Fleenor announced, for the second time, he would not be seeking a second term. Starr joins other commissioner candidates Anselmo Villanueva, Tony McCown and Jay Bozeivich. Florence resident and former commissioner Jerry Rust is expected to announce his candidacy for the May 18 primary next week.

According to Starr, the lack of rural candidates influenced his decision to run.

“I was in the car with my family and we were talking about how the current commissioner was not running again,” said Starr. “We looked at a map of the district and noticed the other candidates are from the eastern side of west Lane County, Elmira and Eugene. I don’t think they would represent the rest of Lane County very well. So I decided to put my name out there.”

Starr, a volunteer firefighter with the Mapleton Fire Department (MFD), said his decision to run was a natural one.

“My family is really involved in politics,” he said. “My sister is on the library board and my stepfather serves on the MFD board of directors.”

Living in rural Mapleton, Starr said public safety is his top priority.

“I’d like to see better funding for the sheriff’s department,” he said. “Working with the fire department, I’ve seen it take a half hour or more for an officer to respond.”

He is also not a supporter of increased taxes.

“We need to try to do the most with what we have,” said Starr. “Now is not the time to increase spending.”

He admits his age and experience do not make him a traditional candidate.

“I can see I’m not the usual (candidate),” Starr said. “But I think I bring fresher ideas. Not being out there, I have no set ideas on how things have to be. I’m not thinking as a politician.”

As for campaigning, Starr said he looks forward to “getting out there and discussing what the voters’ want.”

“(My priorities) are not going to be what Fred says. I would be hired by the people. I have opinions, but I want to actually represent the people.”

According to Starr, he is not looking for a career in politics.

“I’m not too worried if I lose, but I would like to win and I think I could contribute.”