SALEM, Ore. — The state's House Democrats announced their new majority leader for the Oregon House of Representatives Wednesday. Rep. Ben Bowman, D-Tigard, Metzger and south Beaverton, is a first-term Democrat and education administrator.
“I am honored to have been selected by my colleagues to lead the Democratic caucus in the State House as Majority Leader,” said Bowman in a press release. “I am grateful to Speaker Julie Fahey for her service to the Caucus as Majority Leader before me, and I look forward to working with her closely as our Speaker.”
This follows Rep. Julie Fahley's appointment as House Speaker, after Rep. Dan Rayfield, D-Corvallis, announced his resignation when Oregon's legislative short session wrapped up in early March. The move had been anticipated due to throwing his hat in the ring for the state attorney general race. Rayfield had held the position since 2022.
Senate Majority Leader Kate Lieber, D-Beaverton and Southwest Portland, congratulated Bowman.
“Rep. Bowman is a proven champion who knows how to bring people together to get things done for Oregonians. I am so excited to welcome him as the new House Majority Leader. Never one to shy away from a challenge, I know he will be a force for good as we take on major priorities like housing and homelessness, the drug crisis, affordability, and fixing our roads and bridges," she said in a press release.
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