Jeff Helfrich named to Mark Johnson’s vacated seat posted on 01/02/2018
With a choice of three nominated candidates, the
commissioners of Clackamas, Hood River and Multnomah counties selected Jeff
Helfrich of Hood River to fill the vacated Oregon House of Representatives slot
of Mark Johnson.
The pick was confirmed at a Nov. 29 meeting of the
commissioners.
Helfrich was confirmed by unanimous vote over candidates
Stan Pulliam of Sandy and Erick Haynie of Hood River.
Finalists were selected by the State Republican Party in
early November.
Johnson (R-Hood River) announced his retirement Nov. 6 from
the state legislature after being selected as president and CEO of Oregon
Business & Industries, a lobbying firm of Oregon Business Association and
Associated Oregon Industries.
“Moving on from serving House District 52 and taking the
position at OBI is an easier transition for me knowing that someone like Jeff
will fill the remainder of my term,” wrote Johnson in an email to the Mountain
Times. “He is highly qualified and I'm confident he can do a wonderful job
serving the diverse communities of the district. I'll do all I can to help him
be successful completing this term and to be successful when he runs for
re-election.”
Helfrich spent more than 25 years in law enforcement and
continues as a patrol deputy in Multnomah County. He also was a member of the
Cascade Locks Planning Commission and the Cascade Locks City Council. He served
in the Air Force during the Gulf War.
Helfrich was sworn in Dec. 6 in Salem. By Larry Berteau/MT
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