SALEM — Rep. Mark Owens (R-Crane) has been elected by his colleagues in the Oregon Legislature to serve in the role of House Republican deputy leader.

Owens represents House District 60, which includes all or part of six Eastern Oregon counties. He has held the post since 2020.

Rep. Jeff Helfrich of Hood River, who is in the middle of his first elected term, is the new Republican leader of the Oregon House of Representatives.

The chamber’s 25 Republican members chose Helfrich to succeed Rep. Vikki Breese-Iverson of Prineville, who resigned as leader after almost two years but retained her Central Oregon seat in the House. Rep. Shelly Boshart Davis of Albany, who had hoped to move up the leadership ladder, did not get a formal position.

Rep. Kim Wallan of Medford was named the GOP whip in the House.

The 2024 short session, limited by law to 35 days, opens on Feb. 5.

“It is an honor to have the trust of my colleagues to serve in this leadership role, and it is a responsibility I take very seriously,” Owens said in a news release. “There is a lot of work to do to find common ground and consensus, but I know it can be done. By working together and prioritizing strong, smart policy over partisan, divisive politics, we can move our state forward towards a better future. I am committed to working with my colleagues on all sides of the aisle and in both chambers to ensure Oregonians have a voice in their legislature.”

Owens will remain busy until he takes over as House Republican deputy leader. He is vice chair of the House Interim Committee on Agriculture, Land Use, Natural Resources, and Water. He also serves on the Joint Interim Committee on Ways and Means, Joint Interim Committee on Ways and Means Subcommittee on Natural Resources, Joint Emergency Board, House Interim Committee on Business and Labor, and on the House Interim Committee on Climate, Energy, and Environment. He is an alternate on the House Interim Committee on Conduct and the Joint Committee on Conduct.

Owens is an alfalfa farmer, small business owner, Crane School Board member and former Harney County commissioner. House District 60 includes all of Baker, Grant, Harney, Lake and Malheur Counties, and a portion of Deschutes County.