Cameron Bendixsen does not have any particular agenda to pursue in his race for Hermiston City Council. Instead, the 1999 graduate of Hermiston High School simply wants to give back to his community.
“I am a product of this great community,” he said. “My family moved here in 1987 . . . and my parents have been excellent examples of service within the community. Relatives, teachers, church leaders, and many friends’ parents have also instilled within me a desire to get involved.”
Bendixsen, an associate attorney at Bendixsen, Reynolds & Wallace in Hermiston, is running against Doug Smith for the Ward 4 position to succeed longtime councilor and former Hermiston mayor, Frank Harkenrider.
Bendixsen said he is excited for the chance to be a part of Hermiston’s future at a time when it is experiencing tremendous growth.
“When my family moved here in 1987, the population was under 10,000,” he said. “We are nearly twice as large and continue to be the fastest growing community in Eastern Oregon. There will certainly be challenges with such rapid growth. I am very optimistic.”
Bendixsen said finding a successor to longtime City Manager Ed Brookshier will be one of the significant challenges facing the city council. He said there’s more to it than finding a candidate with the right experience and skills.
“The new city manager must adopt the vision for Hermiston’s future shared by those of us who have been here for years” he said.
Bendixsen is an outdoor enthusiast who enjoys running, biking and golfing, so it’s no surprise that he is a big proponent of Hermiston’s parks system.
“I think our parks and recreation department has taken significant strides in making Hermiston an outdoor-friendly community,” he said. “The Oxbow Trail is looking to be a fantastic addition to our community. I hope to work with that department to continue to encourage all in our great community to get out, be active, and enjoy the sun in this beautiful Oregon desert.”
Bendixsen completed his undergraduate degree at BYU-Idaho in Rexburg, Idaho. He and his wife, Camilla, moved back to Hermiston with their two young daughters in December 2012 after he graduated from law school in Michigan.
The election takes place on May 20.
