At the end of September's quarterly Legislative Days, I was honored by my fellow House Republicans and elected the leader of our caucus. This means in addition to my job representing House District 24, I will now also lead the vision for our Republicans elected in the Oregon House of Representatives from across the state.

I'm ready to have the hard conversations and I recognize that Oregonians are tired of the rhetoric coming out of Salem. Oregonians deserve results, and my team and I are ready to hit the ground running as we work to elevate the minority voice.

I commit to leading with strength, respect, and diplomacy; ensuring that the voices of all Oregonians are represented. It was an honor to serve as Deputy Leader under former Representative Christine Drazan, and I look forward to leading with Senate Republican Leader Bruce Starr.

Representative Alek Skarlatos from Winston was elected Deputy Leader, which was the role I was serving in prior to being elected Caucus Leader.  

Representative Virgle Osborne from Roseburg was elected as Whip​. The Whip traditionally ensures the legislative process runs smoothly. They are in charge of tracking how much support there is or is not for bills as they move through the legislative process, especially when the bills are coming to the House Floor for a final vote in our chamber. The Whip also keeps a keen ear during debate on the House Floor to make sure parliamentary and chamber procedures are being followed by both parties. 

Representatives E. Werner Reschke from Malin, Anna Scharf from Amity, and Ed Diehl from Stayton were appointed as Assistant Leaders. They assist the Leader and Deputy Leader with administrative tasks and can be delegated to represent the caucus in place of the Leader at events.

Representatives Vikki Breese-Iverson from Prineville and Greg Smith from Heppner were appointed as Ex-Officio members.  

Each member of this team brings a deep well of experience and character. Their loyalty and wisdom are what steady us as we work toward practical, lasting solutions for Oregon. I am looking forward to working alongside these strong leaders as we work to elevate the minority voice. 

Oregon’s Department of Corrections (ODOC) quietly reexamined the sentences of hundreds of prisoners after the Oregon Supreme Court ruled in July that trial courts could grant pre-sentence credit for time spent in jail awaiting a ruling on an unrelated crime. 

The ODOC slashed time off of sentences left and right, rescheduling release dates for 350 prisoners, and even releasing some violent offenders without notifying prosecutors or victims.   

The resentencing guidelines failed to make exceptions for violent crimes, including murder, rape, assault, and child sex abuse. In at least two cases, two prisoners serving time for sexually abusing children have already been released.  

The Oregon District Attorneys Association (ODAA) did not approve of the State’s interpretation of the Supreme Court ruling, arguing that the guidelines disproportionately favored inmates serving multiple sentences or facing convictions in more than one county. The ODAA asked Governor Kotek to issue an immediate pause on the resentencing guidelines. Governor Kotek refused. 

The Legislature is working on a bill to correct the new guidelines during the 2026 Short Session. Until then, Governor Kotek must be pressured to issue a stay for the last 500 sentences the ODOC has yet to reexamine to prevent dangerous criminals from being released on our streets.  

On the first of this month, I attended the Washington County Republican Party’s annual Reagan Dinner Gala, where Republican leaders from across the state and beyond expressed hope for Oregon's future.  

Attendees heard from gubernatorial candidates, party leaders, Representatives, Senators, Members of Congress, and even a former NBA player on topics ranging from the governor’s transportation package to the consequences of one-party rule.  

But through all the heavy news on everyone’s hearts, a whisper of hope remained.  

I was honored to speak at the event and shared, “I can feel it tonight — the sense of possibility, the energy, the conviction that Oregon’s best days are still ahead.” 

The voices of the governed can, and should, influence their government. Not simply because it’s something I believe, but because it's something I’ve done.  

When I decided to run for office, it wasn’t out of ambition — it was out of conviction. Because I was tired of watching decisions come out of Salem that made life harder for the very people working the hardest. I wanted to bring that same small-town grit and common sense into a system that too often forgets what real life actually looks like. 

I believe Oregon’s best days are ahead because the story of Oregon isn’t finished — and the next chapter will be written by people like you and me who keep showing up, who keep believing, and who refuse to give up on this beautiful place we call home. 

Thank you to Representatives Diehl, Boice, Boshart Davis, Edwards, Breese-Iverson, and Helfrich who joined me at the dinner. It was beautiful to see our House Republican Caucus turn out with so much representation. I look forward to seeing what this great state has in store for us in 2026.  

This week, we honor and thank those who have put everything on the line to serve our country. Veterans Day is a time to reflect on the sacrifices that everyday people make to protect not only those they love, but also complete strangers.  

To any veterans who may be reading this: Thank you for your service. It is people like you who have allowed America to remain the Land of the Free for nearly 250 years.

This Veterans Day, I wanted to shout out and give a special thanks to my colleagues in the House Republican Caucus who have served: 

Representative Jeff Helfrich​ served in the United States Air Force during the First Gulf War, participating in both Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm. Following his service, Rep. Helfrich spent over 25 years as a law enforcement officer.  

It is no surprise that Rep. Helfrich’s steadfast values — founded during his decades-long stint in public service — have followed him into the Oregon Legislature. During all the years I’ve known Helfrich, I’ve never seen him put anything but his best foot forward. He is a powerful public servant and has an incredible passion for turning Oregon into the best (and safest) place to call home.  

Representative Alek Skarlatos is the House Minority Deputy Leader, but before he served in this capacity, Skarlatos spent five years in the Oregon National Guard — including a nine-month deployment to Afghanistan in 2015. During his trip home, on August 21, 2015, Rep. Skarlatos took a high-speed train from Amsterdam to Paris.  

This fateful trip turned him into a national hero when he and a few other brave men stopped an active terrorist attack. And although he starred as himself in a movie directed by Clint Eastwood, and made it to the finals of Dancing With the Stars, Rep. Skarlatos never lost his integrity, heart for service, or love of his country.   

Representative Rick Lewis served three years in the United States Army in the late 1960s and two years in the Wyoming National Guard. Following his military service, Rep. Lewis spent more than 39 years in law enforcement, 28 years as Chief of Police in three Oregon cities. Notably, Rep. Lewis spent six months in 2005 training and supervising the Iraqi Police Executive Leadership Training Program in Baghdad, Iraq, under the U.S. Department of Justice, during Operation Iraqi Freedom. 

I think I can speak for all of my colleagues when I say we look up to this inspirational man who has dedicated more than 50 years of his life to public service and yet, every day, no matter its new challenges, chooses to continue fighting for the people of Oregon.  

Representative Dwayne Yunker enlisted in the United States Navy while he was still in high school. After the Navy, Rep. Yunker spent 10 years in the Marine Corps. Yunker later left the Marines and joined the Army National Guard, where he served another 11 years.  

Rep. Yunker is a fierce advocate for his community. The same dedication and commitment he gave to his country during his military service have zeroed in on Oregon during his time as State Representative.  

Again, I just want to extend a huge thank you to my colleagues and to all veterans this week as we remember the extent of the sacrifice that comes with military service.  

McMinnville proudly brought back the Veterans Day Parade.  This year’s parade included over 500 participants representing over 40 different groups. I walked in the parade with my 4-year-old buddy who wants to be a soldier.  I love that we get a chance to show the next generation how important it is to honor and support our military. 

Behind us, my parents rode in our family truck.  My dad (pictured above) is a proud veteran, and it was an honor to be in the parade with him. His service undoubtedly shaped how I was raised and instilled in me a sense of pride for our country from a young age. 

After the parade, there was a short ceremony featuring Retired Brigadier General Steven Beach, Mayor Morris, and myself. I am so grateful for the sacrifices of all of our veterans, active military, and their families. 

On Monday, November 10th, Governor Kotek’s office announced that she had signed her Transportation Package the previous Friday. 

During the Long Session earlier this year (House Bill 2025) which proposed $14.6 billion in new taxes to support the flailing agency, was pushed through the legislature in the eleventh hour — having emergency committee meetings right up until the last day of session. The bill was blocked by a bipartisan majority that simply couldn’t justify passing the largest tax hike in Oregon’s history. 

ODOT quickly announced cuts and layoffs that threatened primarily the boots on the ground maintenance workers that keep Oregonians on the road safe, not the administrative jobs. Despite being only approximately $300 million short of operating levels, ODOT claimed there was no other way to lower their monetary needs than to cut maintenance workers and half-finished projects — most of which should have been fully funded by the last transportation package from 2017.

Governor Kotek called an emergency Special Session over Labor Day weekend, saying the bill needed to be passed immediately to save Oregon infrastructure and jobs. After the Special Session — which usually takes a few days — lasted over a month, Governor Kotek chose to sit on her emergency bill for another 31 days. 

After the Senate President signs the bill — marking its official passage, since it was a House Bill in this case — the Governor has 30 weekdays to add her signature. Weekday is the key here, because signature collectors will have only 90 calendar days after passage to collect the 78,116 signatures required for a referendum to be placed on the ballot. The collecting process cannot begin until the governor signs the bill, and a petition has been filed and processed with the Secretary of State's Office. Both steps have now been completed.

On August 25th, McMinnville hosted our first celebration of Adoption Day, established by the passage of House Bill 2019 earlier this year.  As you know, this day is especially important to me as I was adopted on August 25th.

The community was invited to come have coffee and donuts, share stories, and celebrate adoption of all kinds. People came who were adopted, who had adopted, and whose family was blessed by adoption.

I was touched as I traveled after session concluded and heard stories of others from around the state having their own celebrations and sharing how adoption touched their lives. The message was clear: You are seen. You are loved. You matter.

As the sun rose on the morning of October 9th, a large group of community members gathered at Discovery Meadows Community Park for a time of prayer and healing.  We walked around the park, reading signs of encouragement and remembering those we have tragically lost to youth suicide. I was especially touched by the number of students who woke up early on a school day to attend the event.

Youth Suicide Awareness Day, established earlier this year by the passage of House Bill 3643, was born from the tragic loss of Mikalynn Jayde Morris on October 9th, 2024. Gone too soon, but forever in our hearts, Mikalynn's story has inspired the community to remove the stigma and have the hard conversations in the pursuit of saving lives. Her family has established a scholarship fund and a non-profit organization called LoveLikeMikalynn. In part, their mission shares, "Mikalynn had a unique ability to lift the spirits of those around her. Her kindness knew no bounds; she approached everyone with an open heart and a genuine desire to connect, especially with those who needed it most. We aren’t able to bring Mikalynn back to us, but we can help others in her name, honoring her beautiful soul and other souls lost to suicide." 

I also want to share a special thank you to all those who were brave and reached out and shared their stories — both with my team and I and through public testimony as this bill worked through the legislative process.

On October 11th, I was privileged to attend the dedication ceremony for the highway sign honoring fallen Yamhill County Sheriff Deputy Paul E. Baker. This past session I had the honor of putting forward a resolution (HCR 38) formally honoring Deputy Baker's life and service to our community. This was a critical first step to being able to access the Highway Memorial Trust Fund and working with ODOT to have the sign made and placed along the highway. Deputy Baker's family (pictured) selected the location of the sign, and it has been placed on the south bound side of Highway 99W south of McMinnville, just across the bridge where he lost his life on an icy day in 1982. After so many years since the loss, it was beautiful to be a part of the family reminiscing about the man Deputy Baker was in life and how he impacted how each of them has chosen to live their own—many also dedicating their lives to serving their communities. 

On October 16th, Representative Willy Chotzen and I spoke to a group of Credit Union representatives from across the region about how best to engage with the Legislature and make their voices heard on issues important to credit unions. It's a seemingly simple question, but I think many of us have wondered how we can make our singular voice loud enough to make an impact and truly be heard when government seems so overwhelmingly large.

In our Oregon Capitol, there are 90 different offices of elected leaders spanning the entire state—60 Representatives and 30 Senators—who all choose to run their offices a little differently. In my office, regardless of whether you think we may agree or disagree on a topic, I want to hear from you! Send me an email or give my office a call. Make sure to let my team and I know that you live in my district and what city you're in so we can track how our community is feeling about different issues. If you're coming to the Capitol, reach out and let my team and I know ahead of time and we can try to find time on my calendar to meet, help you schedule tours of the building—yes, those have finally started up again as construction comes to a close—and maybe even give you a shout out on the House Floor.

On October 30th, my mom and I toured the new mill at Hampton Lumber out in Willamina. In the mid 80s, my mom was the first woman to work out at the mill—in the actual mill itself, not in the office. She ran the stacker for nearly a decade. While much has changed in the 30 years since she worked there, it was fun to hear her stories of working there and the excitement of how innovation has changed the job. As we worked our way through the plant following the journey that a log would take, we asked employees how long they had been with the company. At the very end of our tour, we found an employee whose service overlapped with my mom's.