GOP candidate for SD 5: Lincoln City Councilor Dick Anderson

Dick Anderson

by NW Spotlight

Democrats currently have a super-majority in the Oregon Senate – something they’ve had in four of the last six 2-year Oregon Legislative Assemblies. They hold the super-majority by one seat – Democrats hold 18 seats to Republicans’ 12 seats. Half of the 30 Oregon Senate seats are up for election.

As was noted in Oregon Catalyst last August on the Oregon Senate races “There are 8 Republican seats and 7 Democratic seats up for election. The more competitive districts were up for election in 2014. In this cycle, SD 5, the seat currently held by Arnie Roblan, is likely the most competitive district.” Roblan is the Deputy Majority Leader for the Oregon Senate Democratic Caucus.

During the Kitzhaber resignation a year ago, Roblan was rumored to be interested in the Oregon Secretary of State position that was about to be vacated by Kate Brown. However, Brown appointed Jeanne Atkins as a placeholder, and Roblan is not one of the Democratic candidates for Secretary of State.

Roblan now has a Republican challenger for his state senate seat. The Lincoln City News Guard‎ is reporting that “Former Lincoln City Mayor and current Lincoln City Councilor Dick Anderson filed on Thursday to represent Senate District 5 in the Oregon Senate.”

In announcing his candidacy, Anderson said “Salem is out of touch with the challenges and opportunities we face daily on the Oregon Coast. Elected officials talk about creating jobs and prioritizing education, but take actions that threaten our coastal economy and consistently under-fund education. The Oregon Coast deserves a Senator willing stand up to Portland special interests and face these challenges head-on.”

SD 5 is a district on the Central Coast that includes Coos Bay, Reedsport, Florence, Newport, Lincoln City, and parts of Tillamook.

For more information on Dick Anderson and his campaign, check out his web site or his Facebook page.