Following the resignation of State Sen. Alan Olsen, Clackamas County and Marion County commissioners will hold a joint session on Monday, Feb. 1, to interview candidates and select a replacement for the open Senate District 20 position.

Oregon law requires that a legislative vacancy be filled by county commissioners representing the district in which the vacancy exists. Senate District 20 overwhelmingly falls within Clackamas County, but a small pocket extends into Marion County.

Finalists were selected by the local Republican Party (as deemed by state law), since Olsen belongs to that party. The three finalists are:

• Steve Bates, community advocate
• Bill Kennemer, former state legislator and county commissioner
• John Lee, Jr., CEO of Stumptown Sales Success

The person selected will fill the remainder of Olsen’s term, which runs through 2022.

The meeting will be held from 2 p.m. – 5 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 1, in the Board Hearing Room in the Public Services Building on Red Soils Campus in Oregon City. The address is 2051 Kaen Road.

Due to COVID restrictions, physical space in the Hearing Room for attendees is limited. The public is welcome to virtually attend the proceeding over Zoom. Zoom and phone connectivity information is available online.

The meeting will also be broadcast live on the county’s YouTube channel and Clackamas County Government Channel.


--Ben Fisher

Post Date: 2021-01-25 16:41:45

Last Update: 2021-01-25 18:32:01