Herman Baertschiger Jr.

Herman Baertschiger Jr. is an American Republican politician from Oregon who is the chair and a member of the Josephine County Board of Commissioners. He previously served in the Oregon State Senate from 2013 to 2021, representing the 2nd district.[1] He was elected in 2012 and served as minority leader of the Oregon state senate from 2019 to 2021.[2] Baertschiger served on the Senate Committee on Education and the Senate Committee on Finance and Revenue.[3][4] During the 2013–2015 legislative biennium session, Baertschiger vice-chaired the Senate Committee on Rural Communities and Economic Development and served on the Senate Committee on General Government, Consumer and Small Business Protection.[5][6][7]

Herman Baertschiger
Josephine County Commissioner
Assumed office
May 2022
Chair of the Oregon Republican Party
Acting
In office
March 11, 2022 – July 5, 2022
Preceded byDallas Heard
Succeeded byJustin Hwang
Minority Leader of the Oregon State Senate
In office
January 22, 2019 – January 11, 2021
Preceded byJackie Winters
Succeeded byFred Girod
Member of the Oregon State Senate
from the 2nd district
In office
January 14, 2013 – January 11, 2021
Preceded byJason Atkinson
Succeeded byArt Robinson
Personal details
Political partyRepublican
Spouse
Leta Baertschiger
​
(died 2017)​

Business career and personal life

Baertschiger is the head of the forestry-based HB Company, Inc., and runs a small ranch near Grants Pass. He has three sons and was married to Leta, who died in 2017.[8]

Political career

Originally, Baertschiger faced a possible primary challenges from state senator Jason Atkinson and state representative Wally Hicks, but both men withdrew before filing.[9] James Diefenderfer, a Democratic Party candidate, filed a last-minute[9] challenge, but was defeated by an almost two-to-one margin.[10]

In May and June 2019, state Senate Republicans staged two walkouts, denying quorum in an effort to stop a gross receipts business tax bill and a gas and energy tax bill, aimed to lower greenhouse gas emissions. The Senate holds 30 seats, but 1 is vacant due to a death. Without the Republican senators, the remaining 18 Democratic state senators could not reach a quorum of 20 to hold a vote.[11]

In 2020 he declined to run for reelection.[12]

Baertschiger was elected Josephine County Commissioner in May 2020.[13]


References
  1. "Oregon State Senator Herman e. Baetschiger Jr". Archived from the original on 2013-05-09. Retrieved 2013-03-02.
  2. "Baertschiger is Senate Republican Leader as Salem's Jackie Winters steps down". Statesman-Journal. Retrieved 2019-01-30.
  3. "Oregon Legislative Information System". olis.leg.state.or.us. Retrieved 2016-02-17.
  4. "Oregon Legislative Information System". olis.leg.state.or.us. Retrieved 2016-02-17.
  5. "Oregon Legislative Information System". olis.leg.state.or.us. Retrieved 2016-02-17.
  6. "Oregon Legislative Information System". olis.leg.state.or.us. Retrieved 2016-02-17.
  7. "Oregon Legislative Information System". olis.leg.state.or.us. Retrieved 2016-02-17.
  8. "herman4senate.com". Retrieved 16 April 2017.
  9. "Grants Pass businessman suddenly finds smooth road to Oregon Senate". oregonlive.com. 7 March 2012. Retrieved 16 April 2017.
  10. "Content Manager WebDrawer - 2012 Primary Election Official Results".
  11. "Oregon Republicans walk out on state Senate over climate change bill as governor threatens police roundup". CBS News. Retrieved 24 June 2019.
  12. Art Robinson won't run for Congress, seeks state Senate seat instead, KPIC, March 11th 2020. Retrieved July 18, 2020.
  13. Wong, Peter. "Democrats keep supermajorities in Oregon Legislature". pamplinmedia.com. Retrieved 2022-04-22.
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