Rep. Bill Kennemer to Retire at End of Term

Longtime legislator will not seek re-election in 2018

By Oregon House Republicans

Salem, OR- Representative Bill Kennemer (Canby/Oregon City) announced today that he will not seek re-election to the Oregon House in 2018. Rep. Kennemer has devoted more than 31 years of public service to the state of Oregon, including the last nine as a member of the Oregon House.

“Thank you for the marvelous opportunity to serve and represent you these last 9 years as State Representative for District 39,” Rep. Kennemer wrote in an open letter to his constituents. “The time has come, and I will not be running for re-election as I had been planning. Some recent health problems (not life threatening) have made Cherie and me newly aware that we are here but for a limited time, and we must do our best to make the seasons of our lives the best they can be. It is now the season for more time with family, friends, and some more fishing and traveling.”  

Representative Kennemer has had the honor of representing Clackamas County in various positions since 1987. He served as a State Senator from 1987-1996, as a County Commissioner from 1997-2008 and as a member of the Oregon House since 2009. A psychologist by profession, Rep. Kennemer has maintained a focus on serving Oregon’s most vulnerable populations throughout his public service career.

“Serving our state over the last three decades has been the honor of a lifetime,” concluded Rep. Kennemer. “I am so thankful to have had the support of our community over the years and look forward to passing the baton onto our next state representative. Cherie and I will be forever grateful for this opportunity.”

Representative Kennemer plans to serve through the end of his current term. In the upcoming legislative session, he will serve on the House Healthcare Committee, House Rules Committee, and the House Business and Labor Committee and the Joint Committee on Legislative Policy and Research.

House District 39 includes Barlow, Barton, Beavercreek, Boring, Canby, Carus, Charbonneau, portions of Damascus and Happy Valley, as well as Eagle Creek, Estacada, Fisher Mill, Mulino, Redland, and rural Oregon City areas.