Republican leaders Rep. Christine Drazan, R-Canby, and Daniel Bonham, R-The Dalles, communicate to reporters after the Legislature adjourned Friday, June 27, 2025. (Photograph by Julia Shumway/Oregon Capital Chronicle)
Former Home Minority Chief Christine Drazan, R-Canby is headed to the state Senate after beating out two opponents for the seat of former Sen. Daniel Bonham, R-The Dalles, in a Thursday assembly the place she sought to dispel county commissioners’ considerations {that a} potential run for Oregon governor in 2026 may distract her from the function.
President Donald Trump nominated Bonham, the previous Senate minority chief, to the U.S. Division of Labor after he was barred from working once more as a result of variety of unexcused absences he racked up throughout his participation in a 2023 Republican-led walkout. He introduced his resignation Sept. 15, endorsing Drazan for his place earlier than he formally left on Oct. 5.
“I acknowledge that he’s bought very large footwear to fill, and this subsequent 12 months, it might be a privilege to work on behalf of Senate District 26 and proceed to sort out the issues that face our state, whether or not or not that’s youth homelessness, wildfire response, rising company accountability or tackling the excessive prices which burden Oregon households,” Drazan mentioned Thursday.
The seven decisive votes solid in favor of Drazan don’t signify a majority of all commissioners current. The Senate district accommodates all of Hood River county and elements of Multnomah, Clackamas, and Wasco counties, and the 18 commissioners in attendance had their votes weighted based mostly on the portion of their county’s voters within the district. That gave extra weight to the 5 commissioners from Clackamas County, all of whom lent their assist to Drazan.
“Ms. Christine Drazan, I’ve recognized you for therefore very lengthy,” mentioned Clackamas County Commissioner Martha Schrader. “You’re a Canby native, as I as soon as was, and we’ve had many conversations collectively the place I believe that we now have labored throughout the aisle on the problems that matter most to Oregonians.”
Native Republican officers had nominated Drazan, Rep. Jeff Helfrich, R-Hood River, and John Grant, chairman of the Wasco County Republican Central Committee, to be thought-about for changing Bonham.
On Thursday, Drazan pointed to Bonham’s endorsement and sought to appease considerations that her electoral prospects would distract her from governing or supporting the district. Polling Drazan disclosed paying for in August has fueled rumors that she is planning to as soon as once more problem Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek, who defeated her in a good race that additionally featured a preferred impartial challenger in 2022.
Drazan served simply two years within the Home, from 2019 to 2021, and rapidly rose to change into the Home Republican chief earlier than her unsuccessful race for governor. Voters returned her to the Home within the 2024 election, and Home Republicans once more chosen her as their caucus chief, changing Helfrich, earlier than she formally took workplace in 2025. She confronted a query from a commissioner on Thursday who appeared to ask her to “allay fears that you just gained’t have time to serve the residents of this district since you’re targeted on working for statewide workplace.”
“That’s only a reflection of the truth that I’m at all times decided to do greater than everybody else generally is prepared to do, to serve the higher good for the state of Oregon,” Drazan mentioned in response. “However that begins with this district. I’d not have accepted Senator Bonham’s endorsement and been prepared to tackle the duty that he so dearly cherished to signify the Senate seat if I weren’t fully dedicated to doing my greatest by the constituents of Senate District 26.”
Drazan and the opposite candidates additionally fielded questions on dependancy therapy, ongoing debates over transportation funding and the price of residing within the state. She referred to as for a pause on additional rules and rulemaking to ease the pressure they might pose on companies within the state.
She additionally expressed assist for extra frequent eligibility evaluations for advantages like meals stamps, in addition to reducing the state’s SNAP fee error fee, priorities included in congressional Republicans’ summer time tax and spending legislation that critics warn could make it tougher to precisely administer advantages.
Drazan ended up with seven votes compared to Helfrich, who served as Home Republican chief from 2023 to 2024 and didn’t again down from his February announcement that he would search election to the place in 2026. He mentioned on Thursday that he would prioritize bipartisanship, pointing to his expertise working with Democrats to roll again Measure 110’s controversial drug decriminalization insurance policies.
“I by no means thought in my rising up as a child I’d find yourself in politics, not to mention be the Home Republican chief for that point, after which make the influence that I did, and the Senate for me is the top level for my political profession,” he mentioned. “I don’t plan on looking for greater workplace. I don’t wish to go to D.C.”
Drazan’s appointment to the Senate leaves a emptiness within the 51st Home District spanning a lot of Clackamas County, which would require one other appointment course of involving commissioners and a listing of potential Republican candidates. In a press release, Senate Minority Chief Bruce Starr, R-Dundee, referred to as Drazan a confirmed chief who understands the wants of Oregonians.
“She has proven repeatedly that she’s prepared to face up for her group and combat for a greater path ahead for our state,” Starr mentioned. “Our caucus is thrilled to welcome her to the Senate, and we’re assured she’ll serve her constituents with the identical integrity, power, and dedication which have outlined her public service.”
State legislation mandates that the emptiness be crammed inside 30 days of Bonham’s Oct. 5 resignation.
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