It’s official — Hermiston Mayor Dave Drotzmann is running for the Oregon Senate.
Drotzmann announced Tuesday morning, June 6, that he will seek the District 29 Senate seat being vacated by the upcoming retirement of State Sen. Bill Hansell (R-Athena).
“For me, we’re losing a retiring senator that’s put in 40 years of civic service to our region,” Drotzmann said in a phone interview Tuesday afternoon. “We need another strong-minded conservative voice to continue representing the values of Eastern Oregon.”
Drotzmann moved to Eastern Oregon in 1998 when he started Lifetime Vision Source in Hermiston as the sole optometrist and has since grown the business to 18 employees and three optometrists. During his 25 years in the community, Drotzmann served eight years on the Hermiston School Board and the past 10 years as Hermiston’s mayor.
“As a business owner, mayor, and father, I’ve seen first-hand how policies and tax spending decisions in Salem too often overlook rural Oregonians,” Drotzmann said. “I will advocate for a common-sense state budget that keeps dollars in pockets of Oregonians by cutting back bloated and ineffective state programs, investing in the responsible use of our region’s natural resources to create family-wage jobs, and protecting the constitutional rights of every Oregonian.”
Drotzmann said he’s been considering a run for the past couple of years. He said he’s talked with Hansell and State Rep. Greg Smith (R-Heppner) about the time commitment as well as how serving in Salem would impact his family and business. Drotzmann has hired additional staff at his business to help pick up the load should he win the Senate seat.
“I love my job,” he said. “I’m not going anywhere. But I’ve had to look at the timeline and how that will affect my family and business. I’m responsible for not only my family, but 18 people on my staff.”
Drotzmann will focus on making sure state government is accountable for every dollar it spends, which will allow Oregonians to afford everyday expenses in the face of record inflation and incentivize private businesses to invest in their employees. He will also stand firm on his conservative principles of lower taxes, safer communities, and protecting Second Amendment rights and the right to life.
In 2018, Drotzmann was appointed to the League of Oregon Cities Board of Directors to advocate for cities of all sizes, focusing on providing the tools and local control necessary for communities to set and reach their own goals for growth and development. As president-elect he said he is working to understand the issues facing cities of all sizes and connect with leaders across the state to help bridge divides and find solutions.
Drotzmann has already received the support of a pair of Republican leaders. He begins his campaign with endorsements from Smith and U.S. Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer.
“Dave’s experience both as an optometric physician and mayor of Hermiston has made him an outstanding advocate for Northeast Oregon and he will continue to demonstrate his leadership and wisdom as state senator,” Smith said.
Former Umatilla County Commissioner George Murdock is another who is supporting Drotzmann’s run.
“Dave is one of the most respected mayors in all of Oregon,” Murdock said. “And Hermiston has become one of the most respected communities under his leadership.” Murdock said Drotzmann’s personal style will serve him and the Senate well.
“He’s a collaborator,” Murdock said. “And that’s one of the most important qualities to have. Our region has a minority voice in Salem and it takes someone who is collaborative and can see both sides of an issue.”
Murdock praised Drotzmann for taking leadership positions on several issues including homelessness. Drotzmann has been a vocal supporter of Project PATH, the homeless shelter being built off Highway 395.
“If we put our heads in the sand, we’re going to end up looking like Portland,” Murdock said. “It’s an issue you have to be proactive on and Dave has been.”
Collaboration in the Oregon Senate is in short supply these days as Republican senators have staged a lengthy walkout protesting, in part, legislation proposed by Senate Democrats.
Drotzmann said walkouts are unfortunate, but he would likely be right there with his GOP colleagues if he was in the Senate today.
“Unfortunately, it’s the tool available to them to stand up for rural conservative values,” Drotzmann said, adding its his nature to work with folks on both sides of the political aisle.
“I’m a collaborator and I hope to reach across the aisle to get things done,” he said. Drotzmann said he’s worked closely with Democratic mayors from metropolitan cities during his time as mayor and expects to continue that effort in the Senate.
“I was nonpartisan as a school board member and I’ve been nonpartisan as mayor,” Drotzmann said.
Drotzmann is currently serving his fourth term as mayor. He was first elected in 2012. His first two terms as mayor were two years each. After a Hermiston charter change, those terms are now four years each.
Drotzmann is the third candidate to seek to fill Hansell’s Senate seat. Wallowa County Commissioner Todd Nash and former Morrow County Commissioner Jim Doherty also are running for the open position. Find more information about Drotzmann’s campaign at www.DrotzmannForOregon.com.
Best wishes in your run for office!
I would love to see conservative representation continue from the eastern part of our state!!