Findley

VALE — Sen. Lynn Findley will not be seeking re-election to Oregon Senate District 30 in 2024.

The Vale Republican made the announcement in a press release on Wednesday, Nov. 8, adding that he intends to serve out the remainder of his term.

Findley was one of 10 conservative senators who were ruled ineligible to run for reelection in 2024 after participating in a walkout aimed at blocking legislation backed by majority Democrats.

Measure 113, passed by 58% of Oregon voters last year, bars any lawmaker who accrues 10 or more unexcused absences during a legislative session from seeking reelection.

A group of five Republicans affected by the ban, including Findley, are suing Oregon Secretary of State LaVonne Griffin-Valade over her ruling that the ban is to take effect in 2024, arguing that the language of Measure 113 means it shouldn’t apply until the following election cycle.

Findley has served in the Oregon Legislature since 2018.

“It has been an absolute honor to represent the constituents in District 30 over the last several years, and I am humbled to have had the opportunity to do so,” Findley said in the news release. “Interacting with, listening to, and helping constituents solve problems has been the best part of this job. I am proud of the work we have done to amplify the voices of constituents, shed light the issues we face in eastern and rural Oregon, and tackle some of our biggest challenges, together.”

During his tenure, Findley noted, he has brought over $100 million into the district for education, agriculture and natural resources, wildfire disaster relief, county fairs and county-based projects, and emergency needs. Most recently, he was instrumental in implementing the AgriStress Helpline, a suicide prevention helpline designed to serve Oregon’s agricultural communities and their families.

Senate District 30 includes all of Baker, Crook, Grant, Harney, Lake and Malheur counties, and parts of Deschutes and Jefferson counties.

At the onset of the COVID crisis, Sen. Findley and Rep. Mark Owens (R-Crane) were the first legislators to host virtual town halls for Oregonians. To date, they have hosted over 25 virtual town halls, bringing together more than 15,000 Oregonians over time. The pair will continue to do so through 2024.

Findley first served in the Legislature from 2018 to 2020 as state representative for House District 60, a seat now held by Owens. He was appointed to the Senate in January of 2020 and elected in November of that same year. Prior to his legislative service, he served as Vale city manager for six years and worked in fire and aviation management with the Bureau of Land Management for 32 years.