January 11, 2023 11:50 a.m. (updated 2:10 p.m.)
State Representative David Brock Smith, of Curry County, has been unanimously appointed by county commissioners in Douglas, Coos and Curry counties to take the Oregon State Senate District One seat recently vacated by Dallas Heard.
A meeting of the nine commissioners was held on Wednesday morning. Coos County commissioners came to Roseburg for the meeting held at the Douglas County Courthouse, while commissioners in Curry County attended via Zoom.
Douglas County Commissioner Tim Freeman led the meeting. Freeman explained the process as the meeting began. Last Saturday, Republican precinct committee persons in the three counties met in Coquille and forwarded 5 names to the commissioners for their consideration.
Along with Brock Smith, Douglas County residents Tim Allen, Tom Dole, Richard Vander Velden and Todd Vaughn were picked. However following information from the Oregon Secretary of State’s Office, Vander Velden and Vaughn were deemed disqualified. Douglas County Clerk Daniel Loomis said the two didn’t meet the state’s 3rd qualification which required them to be “currently registered to vote in a residence that is within the boundaries of the former Senate District”. Loomis said both men live in what was previously Senate District 4.
Following statements from each of the three candidates, commissioners had the opportunity to ask questions of those seeking the office. Brock Smith received all nine votes, which were weighted based on the percentage of the district’s residents that live in each county.
In response, Brock Smith issued a release saying, “I am humbled to be chosen to replace my friend and colleague Dallas Heard in the Oregon State Senate with this unanimous vote by County Commissioners of our three counties”. Brock Smith also thanked Republican precinct committee persons for their, “…overwhelming support” during last Saturday’s nomination convention.
Brock Smith has served in the Oregon House of Representatives since 2017, covering portions of Douglas, Coos and Curry counties. He has been an Assistant Leader in the House Republican Caucus.
Brock Smith said with the legislative session underway, “…there is a lot to be done for our rural district”. He will be on the Morning Conversation Friday at 8:30 a.m. on News Radio 93-9 FM and 1240 KQEN.