PORTLAND, Ore. — Oregon Senate Republicans have elected their new minority leader. Sen. Tim Knopp, who represents the Bend area, will step down, effective April 15. Sen. Daniel Bonham, who represents The Dalles, was elected to take over the Caucus, Senate Republicans said Thursday morning.
"I want to thank Senator Bonham for stepping up to lead the Senate Republican Caucus," Knopp said.
The announcement comes nearly a month after the state's short legislative session wrapped up and Knopp completed his third term in the Oregon Senate.
Knopp was elected Senate Minority Leader in 2021. Prior to that, he was Deputy Republican Leader in 2014. He was elected to his first term in the Oregon State Senate in November 2012.
"There is significant work to be done to prepare for the '24 election and the '25 legislative session. I’m eager to get to work," Bonham said.
Bonham has served as a state legislator since 2017 and he was the House Deputy Republican Leader from 2019-2021.
Both Knopp and Bonham were among 10 GOP members who racked up 10 days of unexcused absences while boycotting the Legislature in 2023. They were disqualified from reelection under voter-approved Measure 113. A group of Republican state senators challenged the law, but the Oregon Supreme Court ruled against them in February. The 10 senators are disqualified from running for a new term either this year or in 2026.
Knopp's current term ends in January 2025, while Bonham was elected last year and can remain in office until January 2027.
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