SALEM, Ore. — Gov. Kate Brown (D) will be working during the next few weeks to select a successor to the late Sec. of State Dennis Richardson.
Richardson passed away Tuesday following a months-long battle with a brain tumor.
Richardson was Oregon's only Republican elected to statewide office. So who will Gov. Brown appoint?
There's no word yet on who is in the running, but the governor's office says she is required by state constitution (Article V, Sec. 16) to appoint a Republican to replace Richardson.
Richardson was elected Secretary of State in November 2016 for a 4-year term, so whoever replaces him will stay in office through the November 2020 general election.
There will be no special election to replace Richardson.
Former Republican Rep. Julie Parrish, who served as a campaign consultant for Richardson, expressed concern Gov. Brown would select a successor who
"either recently changed their registration to Republican or someone with no connection to the Republican Party leadership or elected experience."
Rep. Parrish claims Gov. Brown is considering selecting a candidate "with no elected experience, and who regularly donates to Democrats, including Gov. Brown."
The governor's office has made no comment about possible replacements.
According to the governor's office, she said she will select a Republican who will commit to not entering the 2020 election for Secretary of State.
The Oregon State Treasurer's Office confirmed Tobias Read will be next in line for governor for the next two years. Gov. Brown will appoint someone to take over for Richardson, but the next in line must be someone elected, not appointed. So, it skips to the state treasurer until the next election cycle in 2020.
