Sen. Whitsett files for re-election

by NW Spotlight

Salem, OR—Sen. Doug Whitsett (R-Klamath Falls) filed for re-election to the Oregon Senate on Wednesday, Oct. 7.

Sen. Whitsett has represented Senate District 28 since 2005. The district includes Klamath, Crook, Lake, southern Deschutes and portions of Jackson counties.

He has served on the budget-writing Ways and Means Committee since 2005 and was recently assigned to the Senate Environment and Natural Resources Committee.

“I’m looking forward to continued discussions and support of issues that are important to our constituents in rural Oregon,” Sen. Whitsett said.

A retired large animal veterinarian, Sen. Whitsett grew up on a small dairy farm in the rural Central Oregon community of Powell Butte. After graduating from Crook County High School, Sen. Whitsett earned his Associates of Arts degree from Central Oregon Community College in Bend and his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Washington State University.

Sen. Whitsett began his practice as an Associate Veterinarian at Klamath Animal Clinic in Klamath Falls in 1968. He became its president and principle owner by 1986 and sold the business in 1994 to pursue equine breeding and other business interests.

Prior to serving in the Legislature, Sen. Whitsett was a past president of the Oregon Veterinary Medical Association (OVMA), Water for Life (WFL), Klamath County Cattlemen’s Association and the Klamath and Lake County Veterinary Medical Association. Sen. Whitsett has also served for many years on the board of directors for the OVMA and WFL, along with his wife, Rep. Gail Whitsett (R-Klamath Falls).

Sen. Whitsett has long been active in Klamath Basin and state water issues, and was a lecturer at state and regional veterinary conferences. He has published a widely read weekly e-mail newsletter for more than a decade.

In addition to serving in the state Legislature, the Whitsetts currently own and operate two small farms in Klamath and Jackson counties.