Republicans in the Oregon Senate will have a new leader when the chamber gavels in later this week.

In a move that bucks the usual timeline of leadership elections, the Senate’s 12 GOP members chose Sen. Bruce Starr, R-Dundee.

With the move, the party has tapped someone who is both a relative newcomer and legislative veteran. Starr spent 16 years in the Legislature, beginning in 1999, first winning a House seat before transitioning to the Senate. He lost a reelection bid in 2014, but returned to the chamber earlier this year, after winning the open seat formerly held by Sen. Brian Boquist, R-Dallas.

Starr wasted no time taking on weighty issues. He became Senate Republicans’ top figure on transportation matters this year, as lawmakers worked on a new package to fund road upkeep.

Star

See Full Page