Polk County Farmer Anna Scharf has been appointed to fill the seat to replace expelled State Representative Mike Nearman in House District 23. She has worked in the past as a policy analyst for Nearman

Scharf was the overwhelming choice of the eleven County Commissioners from the counties that House District 23 spans. She garnered support from a wide range of ideological and regional diversity.

The vote by the commissioners was seen by some as a rejection of the will of the people who voted four times to put Nearman in office and supported his nomination by a large margin at the convention of precinct committee persons, who put his name at the top of a list of nominees from which the commissioners picked.

"While I know this is a blow to many who supported me, I'm happy with the choice made by the commissioners," said Nearman. "She knows this district well and above all, she's a principled person who will reflect the values of the West Willamette Valley." Mike Nearman and John Swanson each received the vote of one commissioner. Scharf received the rest of the votes from participating commissioners.

It is most likely that her first official duties as State Representative will come in an expected special session in late September to vote on redistricting.

Commissioner	Voted For
Benton County Commissioner Xan Augerot	John Swanson
Benton County Commissioner Pat Malone	Anna Scharf
Benton County Commissioner Nancy Wyse	Anna Scharf
Marion County Commissioner Danielle Bethel	Anna Scharf
Marion County Commissioner Colm Willis	absent
Marion County Commissioner Kevin Cameron	Anna Scharf
Polk County Commissioner Mike Ainsworth	Anna Scharf
Polk County Commissioner Craig Pope	Anna Scharf
Polk County Commissioner Lyle Mordhorst	Anna Scharf
Yamhill County Commissioner Mary Starrett	Mike Nearman
Yamhill County Commissioner Lindsay Berschauer	Anna Scharf
Yamhill County Commissioner Casey Kulla	Anna Scharf

--Staff Reports

Post Date: 2021-07-06 17:11:29

Last Update: 2021-07-07 20:20:07