Sen. Fred Girod, R-Stayton. (Courtesy/Oregon Senate Republicans).
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Sen. Fred Girod, R-Stayton, is the new leader of Republicans in the Oregon Senate.
Girod, whose district includes parts of Marion, Clackamas and Linn counties, was elected on Friday to replace Sen. Herman Baertschiger, Jr., a Grants Pass Republican who isn’t seeking reelection.
A dentist by trade, Girod has served 15 years in the Legislature, having previously served in the House from 1993 to 1994 and again from 2006 to 2008 before being appointed to the Senate in 2008.
During the last two legislative sessions, Girod participated in Republican walkouts to prevent a controversial greenhouse gas reduction bill from passing in the Democratic-led Legislature.
Democrats currently have 18-12 supermajority in the Senate.
Girod couldn’t immediately be reached for comment. In a statement from the Oregon Senate Republicans, Baertschiger expressed his full support for Girod.
“I am grateful for Senator Baertschiger’s hard work and look forward to leading not just the Senate Republicans, but Republicans throughout this beautiful state,” Girod said in the statement. “I am excited to work alongside the House Republicans at this critical time in Oregon’s history.”
Contact reporter Jake Thomas at 503-575-1251 or [email protected] or @jakethomas2009.
