Updates from the OR Capitol – Special Session Delayed (Again)

Posted by Pam Leavitt on September 18, 2025

Senator Daniel Bonham

The Oregon Legislature did not meet in special session this week because a key senator—Chris Gorsek of Gresham—was too unwell to attend, and his presence was necessary for Democrats to secure enough votes to pass a contentious transportation funding bill. The legislature decided to delay the vote until the week of September 29, when lawmakers are already scheduled to convene for other legislative business.

Background on the Delay

• The special session originally began on August 29 but has faced repeated obstacles, including lack of quorum and Senator Gorsek’s ongoing health recovery after surgery.
• Senate Democrats need every member present to achieve the required votes, especially with Republicans united in opposing the tax and fee increases in the bill.

Senator Daniel Bonham, who served as the Senate Republican Leader and represented District 26, announced his resignation from the Oregon Senate, effective October 5, 2025. Bonham stated that serving in the Senate was one of the greatest honors of his life and thanked his constituents, saying he originally entered politics to serve his community, not as a career but out of a sense of duty.

His resignation comes partly because, as a result of a Republican walkout, state law bars him from running for reelection in 2026, making it impossible for him to serve another term in the Senate. With his departure, Bonham endorsed Christine Drazan—currently the top Republican in the House—to succeed him for the remainder of his term, which ends January 11, 2027. The process for selecting his replacement requires the local Republican Party to propose a short list of candidates, from which county commissioners in District 26 will choose.

In other news, Oregon State Representative Cyrus Javadi announced his switch from the Republican to the Democratic Party in early September 2025, citing disappointment with the direction of the current GOP and a desire to better serve his coastal district’s priorities. Javadi’s party affiliation change followed a series of votes where he sided with Democrats, including supporting Governor Tina Kotek’s tax and fee proposals to fund road maintenance and help prevent layoffs, as well as backing health care provider taxes crucial for Medicaid funding. His decision prompted criticism and a recall effort from some conservative constituents.

Posted in Advocacy on the Move, Oregon Advocacy.