Commissioners appoint Rep. Christine Drazen, who's also running for governor, to Bonham's vacant Senate seat

After nearly beating out current Gov. Tina Kotek in 2022, all signs were indicating that she planned to seek reelection. Drazen met with trusted lobbyists last Tuesday, spent $55,000 on polling in July and her name briefly appeared on a major Republican fundraising platform. Recognizing this, Hood River County Commission Chair Jennifer Euwer asked Drazen directly about her level of commitment during last week's meeting. 

“Given recent rumors, how can you allay our fears that you won’t have time to serve the residents of this district rather than focusing on running for statewide office?” Euwer said.

“That is just a reflection of the fact that I’m always determined to do more,” Drazen said in response. “I would not have accepted Sen. Bonham’s endorsement and been willing to take on the responsibility that he so dearly loved to represent the senate seat if I were not completely committed to doing my best by the constituents of Senate District 26.”

Drazen noted, however, that Bonham’s seat would’ve been open in November 2026, regardless of who the commissioners chose. The former state senator participated in a six-week, Republican-led walkout in 2023, barring him from reelection because of a voter-approved constitutional amendment that blocks any lawmaker with 10 or more absences.

The Senate's former Republican leader, Bonham similarly had his sights set higher when he resigned Sept. 15. According to a notice on the U.S. Senate’s Executive Calendar, the Trump administration selected him as an assistant labor secretary, but Bonham has not publicly addressed his future plans.

District 26 stretches from The Dalles and encompasses all of Hood River County, along with parts of Multnomah and Clackamas counties. Local Republican officials also nominated Rep. Jeff Helfrich, whom Drazen replaced as House Republican leader this year, and John Grant, chairman of the Wasco County Republican Party, for the position.

Although 11 out of 18 commissioners voted for Helfrich, Drazen received the nod from the entire Clackamas County board. Votes were weighted based on the proportion of county voters in the district, and since Clackamas is far more populous, those five decisions propelled Drazen to victory. With the exception of Hood River County Commissioner Chad Muenzer, the Wasco and Hood River delegations all voted for Helfrich.

Prior to the vote, each county had the opportunity to ask the candidates two questions, touching on several topics: access to food and healthcare benefits, transportation funding, their ability to work across the aisle and Oregon’s economic future.

Drazen criticized the state as anti-business and called for a pause on new regulations, emphasizing that legislators must listen to job providers. On transportation, she opposed the recently passed spending package, arguing that families can’t afford the increased taxes and fees, and that it maintains the “status quo” at Oregon’s Department of Transportation.

She also pressed state agencies to more frequently review eligibility requirements and reduce the amount of over or underpayments, otherwise known as the error rate, given to people on food stamps.

“I look forward to the opportunity to work with all of you and to serve this district to the best of my abilities,” Drazen said in closing.

While Drazen’s appointment leaves an opening for the 51st House District seat, Helfrich will continue to serve as the representative for district 52. During the meeting, Helfrich didn’t say whether or not he would run for Senate again in November.