November 9, 2023 3:20 a.m.

Ashley Hicks has announced her candidacy for the Republican nomination for the Oregon State Senate in District 1.

Hicks filed for the seat with the Oregon Secretary of State’s Office on October 12th. Incumbent State Senator David Brock Smith is seeking a full term and filed September 14th.

Hicks told News Radio 93-9 FM and 1240 KQEN that after she found out that Brock Smith was appointed to the seat by county commissioners in Douglas, Coos and Curry counties, she felt residents should be able to decide who their state senator is through the election process.

Hick served one term representing Ward 4 on the Roseburg City Council. She was defeated by Patrice Sipos in November of 2020. She challenged Douglas County Commissioner Chris Boice in 2022, but lost in that May’s Primary Election.

Hicks says she spent a decade dedicated to restoring homeless camps from rivers and along bridges. With other community volunteers, Hicks said they removed shopping carts, drug paraphernalia, shredded tarps, propane tanks, saturated tents and more and helped connect homeless individuals to resources.

Hicks lists her occupational background as a licensed Oregon contractor for 22 years. She said she has also worked as an office assistant, fast food worker, bartender, interior-exterior painter and more. Hicks was also the owner/operator of a downtown coffee shop on Southeast Jackson Street.

Hicks said if elected she would focus on issues like: building affordable housing, protecting parent-student rights, removing the Winchester Dam, halting building fees for housing production, updating the sex offender registration program and more. Hicks said she supports term limits, Voter ID, and the hand counting of ballots.

More information about Ashley Hicks is on her campaign Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/oregon.senator.district.one.candidate.as