December 16, 2022 4:10 a.m.

Late Thursday, Douglas County Republican State Senator Dallas Heard announced that he is stepping down from the Oregon State Legislature, effective January 1st.

A release from Heard said, “After 8 years of serving as your voice and advocate in the State Legislature I have decided that I need to retire for now from this level of public service, until my children are at an age where they are more ready to face this world on their own”.

Heard said, “This has proven to be the most difficult decision I have had to make. Ever since I was a child, I always dreamed of being your servant champion. Being a native son of the “Timber Capitol of the World” has always instilled tremendous pride in my soul for our community. You are a good, hard-working and noble people. A people that I have always found easy to love with all my heart”.

Heard thanked district residents for being the kind of people, “…who made it easy to stand up in Salem for the freedom and rights of all citizens during the COVID era”. Heard said he never had to question if the over whelming majority in his district was with him in, “…standing up for the few, the weak, the poor, and the oppressed”. Heard’s release said he decided that until his sons are several years older, they must be his full focus and priority.

In March, Heard stepped down from his chairmanship of the Oregon Republican Party, a position he had held for just over a year. At that time, Heard criticized un-named fellow Republicans, saying, “They have broken my spirit. I can face the Democrats with courage and conviction, but I can’t fight my own people too”. He urged the party to not ignore “the wickedness within” their own organization.

Heard said that after his children have matured, he hopes to, “…once again secure your support to be your advocate in the upper levels of elected office”.

Heard became a state senator in 2018 following the resignation of Jeff Kruse. He had served as a state representative in House District Two starting in 2015. His current term was slated to run through January of 2025.