Rep. Christine Drazan appointed to Oregon Senate seat in wake of Daniel Bonham’s resignation
SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Oregon state Rep. Christine Drazan, R-Canby, has been appointed to fill the state Senate seat vacated by former Republican state Sen. Daniel Bonham, who resigned Oct. 5.
Drazan will represent Senate District 26 through the end of Bonham’s term in January 2027, KGW reported.
County commissioners from Clackamas, Hood River, Multnomah and Wasco counties appointed Drazan during a joint meeting Thursday afternoon. Under Oregon law, county commissions within a legislative district fill midterm vacancies by selecting from a list of nominees provided by the departing lawmaker’s political party.
Bonham had endorsed Drazan as his preferred successor when he announced plans to step down last month. The Oregon Republican Party also nominated John Grant and Rep. Jeff Helfrich, R-Hood River, for consideration.
Drazan was first elected to the Oregon House in 2018 to represent District 39 and became the House Republican leader the following year. She was reelected in 2020, but resigned during her second term to run for governor in 2022, a race she lost to Democrat Tina Kotek.
After redistricting placed her home in a new area, Drazan won election last year to represent House District 51. She again served as House Republican leader during both the 2025 regular and special sessions.
“Christine Drazan is a proven leader with a deep understanding of the challenges facing Oregon families,” Senate Republican Leader Bruce Starr, R-Dundee, said in a statement. “She has shown time and again that she’s willing to stand up for her community and fight for a better path forward for our state.”
"Our caucus is thrilled to welcome her to the Senate, and we’re confident she’ll serve her constituents with the same integrity, energy, and commitment that have defined her public service,” Starr added.
Bonham had served as Senate Republican leader before stepping down, and Starr was later elected to replace him. Though Bonham did not immediately state a reason for his departure, reports later confirmed he had been nominated to serve as an assistant to U.S. Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer, a former Oregon state representative, according to KGW.
