Oregon House Democrats nominate Majority Leader Fahey as next House Speaker

This story was updated at 9:25 p.m.

Oregon House Democrats on Monday night selected House Majority Leader Julie Fahey, D-Eugene, as their nominee for House Speaker.

Oregon House Speaker Dan Rayfield earlier Monday confirmed he will step down as House Speaker following the end of the upcoming 2024 legislative session that begins Feb. 5 and that Democrats would select a nominee for a new speaker.

Typically, the House has voted on the top leadership position at the beginning of the odd-year sessions.

Rayfield, D-Corvallis, said in a letter to representatives Monday that the caucus decision to instead select a nominee before the February session "will ensure that leadership decisions will be clear before the start of the legislative session, and the work of the people can proceed without distraction and with a clear understanding of the future."

He said the last act of the session would be electing his successor to give them time to plan for the longer 2025 session, identify the House's agenda, and build their leadership team.

In the closed-door meeting Monday evening, House Democrats also elected Rep. David Gomberg, D-Otis, as Assistant Majority Leader. Rep. Maxine Dexter, D-Portland will step down from the role as she running for election in Oregon’s 3rd Congressional District.

Fahey, who has been House Majority Leader since 2022, said in a statement that she was "deeply honored" to have been nominated.

"Right now, we’re 100% focused on ensuring that our February legislative session delivers real results on the issues Oregonians care most about,” she said. “My commitment is to serve the people of Oregon with respect, common sense, and collaboration as we tackle the biggest issues we’re facing across this state.”

Fahey was elected in 2016 to the Oregon House of Representatives. Before that, she was treasurer of the Democratic Party of Oregon for two years and chair of the Lane County Democratic party from 2012 to 2014. Fahey is a business consultant and co-founder of a human resources consulting firm for businesses and non-profits.

In a statement, Gomberg said he was committed to bringing a "unique perspective" from rural Oregon to the leadership team.

Rayfield said he was focused on a "smooth transition" and that Democrats would be prioritizing housing and homelessness, addiction services, and community safety in the upcoming session.

House Republican Leader Jeff Helfrich, R-Hood River, issued a statement after Rayfield’s announcement, critiquing the announced vote.

“While warring factions of Democrats jockey among themselves for political power, Republicans remain focused on solving the problems facing Oregonians, like ending the drug crisis caused by Measure 110," Helfrich said. "This needless speaker election shows you where the majority’s priorities are, and they aren’t with the people.”

Once the session is over, Rayfield is expected to focus his attention on his campaign for attorney general, which he announced last fall. Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum announced last September she would not be seeking reelection. The first female Oregon attorney general, Rosenblum was elected Oregon's top lawyer in 2012 and then reelected in 2016 and 2020.

Rayfield referred to his time as Speaker of the Oregon House as "the honor" of his life. He was elected as Speaker after then-House Speaker Tina Kotek stepped down in 2022 to focus on her campaign for governor.

"I want to leave this post in the same spirit that I have served: creating an effective and respectful environment, being clear and transparent in our work, and always putting the interests of Oregonians first," Rayfield added. "I believe this transition process meets those goals. I will leave the Speakership with a deep gratitude for having been entrusted with this responsibility, and excitement about what will come next for the People’s House."

Dianne Lugo covers the Oregon Legislature and equity issues. Reach her at dlugo@statesmanjournal.com or on Twitter @DianneLugo

This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: Oregon House Democrats pick Julie Fahey of Eugene as speaker nominee