Rep. Mike McLane is new House Republican Leader

by NW Spotlight

The Oregon House Republican Caucus met yesterday in Salem and elected new minority party leadership. The Salem Statesman Journal reported that “the 26 Republicans met behind closed doors for hours Thursday afternoon.”

Rep. Mike McLane (R-Powell Butte) has moved up from Deputy House Republican Leader to House Republican Leader, replacing Rep. Andy Olson (R-Albany). Rep. Olson and Rep. McLane were elected to their previous positions back in July.

Rep. Julie Parrish (R-Tualatin/West Linn) is the new Deputy Republican Leader. In his report on yesterday’s Caucus vote, Jeff Mapes at the Oregonian wrote “Parrish had unsuccessfully sought a leadership position earlier this year while noting that the House GOP did not have a woman in its leadership.”

Rep. Vicki Berger (R-Salem) is the new House Republican Whip, replacing Rep. Tim Freeman (R-Roseburg).

KTVZ in Bend is reporting that Rep. Bruce Hanna did not run for a leadership position, “In order to allow new leaders among the caucus to emerge, outgoing House Co-Speaker Bruce Hanna (R-Roseburg) chose not to seek a leadership position for 2013.”