Herman Baertschiger Jr.

Last updated
Leta Baertschiger
​
(died 2017)​
Herman Baertschiger
Herman Baertschiger.jpg
Josephine County Commissioner
Assumed office
May 2022

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]

Contents

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] [ self-published source ]

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]

Electoral history

2012 Oregon State Senator, 2nd district [14]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Herman Baertschiger Jr 34,420 65.2
Democratic Jim Diefenderfer18,21934.5
Write-in 1740.3
Total votes52,813 100%
2016 Oregon State Senator, 2nd district [15]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Herman Baertschiger Jr 43,535 97.6
Write-in 1,0752.4
Total votes44,610 100%

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. Archived from the original on 2016-02-25. Retrieved 2016-02-17.
  4. ↑ "Oregon Legislative Information System". olis.leg.state.or.us. Archived from the original on 2016-02-25. Retrieved 2016-02-17.
  5. ↑ "Oregon Legislative Information System". olis.leg.state.or.us. Archived from the original on 2016-02-25. Retrieved 2016-02-17.
  6. ↑ "Oregon Legislative Information System". olis.leg.state.or.us. Archived from the original on 2016-02-25. Retrieved 2016-02-17.
  7. ↑ "Oregon Legislative Information System". olis.leg.state.or.us. Archived from the original on 2016-02-25. Retrieved 2016-02-17.
  8. ↑ "herman4senate.com". Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 16 April 2017.
  9. 1 2 "Grants Pass businessman suddenly finds smooth road to Oregon Senate". oregonlive.com. 7 March 2012. Archived from the original on 21 March 2017. Retrieved 16 April 2017.
  10. ↑ "Content Manager WebDrawer - 2012 Primary Election Official Results". Archived from the original on 2020-10-09. Retrieved 2023-10-31.
  11. ↑ "Oregon Republicans walk out on state Senate over climate change bill as governor threatens police roundup". CBS News . 23 June 2019. Archived from the original on 24 June 2019. Retrieved 24 June 2019.
  12. ↑ Art Robinson won't run for Congress, seeks state Senate seat instead Archived 2023-06-02 at the Wayback Machine , KPIC , March 11th 2020. Retrieved July 18, 2020.
  13. ↑ Wong, Peter. "Democrats keep supermajorities in Oregon Legislature". pamplinmedia.com. Archived from the original on 2022-04-29. Retrieved 2022-04-22.
  14. ↑ "Official Results | November 6, 2012". Oregon Secretary of State. Archived from the original on April 6, 2023. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
  15. ↑ "November 8, 2016, General Election Abstract of Votes". Oregon Secretary of State. Archived from the original on January 19, 2023. Retrieved October 30, 2023.