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News Release

Oregon Nurseries Issue 2026 General Election Endorsements (Photo) - 10/15/26

NOTE: CORRECTED. Michael Sugar is running in District 40, not 30, and there are 23 total endorsements in the House races. Our apologies for these mistakes.

 

Wilsonville, Oregon (October 15, 2026) – The Oregon Nurseries’ Political Action Committee (ONPAC) has issued its endorsements in selected races for the 2026 general election cycle, with an aim towards providing greater balance in the state capital.

 

“Oregon agriculture is under duress at the state and federal level, and the cost burden has made many operations struggle to remain competitive,” said nursery owner Tyler Meskers of Oregon Flowers Inc., who serves as chairman of ONPAC. “That’s why the nursery industry seeks to break the cycle of super majorities held by the Democrats in the Oregon Legislature and seek a new direction in the governor’s race.”
 

The endorsements are as follows:


Oregon Governor — Christine Drazan. “ONPAC believes that the state is at a critical juncture for livability and business survival,” Meskers said. “A Republican governor has not been elected since 1982 and it is time for a change. Drazan is a longtime ally of the industry. ONPAC endorsed her in 2022 during her narrow loss and feels she is again the best choice for the industry in 2026.”


Oregon Senate — Five endorsements: 

  • Brad Hicks (R-District 3, southern Jackson County)
  • Jack Tibbetts (R-District 6; Linn, eastern Lane and Marion counties)
  • Tracy Cramer (R-District 11, Marion County and Salem-Keizer); 
  • Courtney Bangs (R-District 16, North Coast and Lower Columbia)
  • Sen. Jeff Helfrich (R-District 26, Columbia River Gorge and Mt. Hood)

Oregon House of Representatives — 23 endorsements: 

  • Rep. Court Boice (R-District 1, Coos, Curry and Douglas counties)
  • Claire Lynn (R-District 9, Douglas, Lane and Coos counties)
  • Rep. Shelly Boshart Davis (R-District 15, Linn, Marion and Benton counties)
  • Ken Jackola (R-District 11, Linn, Marion and Benton counties)
  • Rep. Darin Harbick (R-District 12, Eastern Lane County)
  • Amanda Staehely (R-District 18, Clackamas and Marion counties)
  • Rep. Kevin Mannix (R-District 21, North Salem and Keizer)
  • Max Sherman (R-District 32, North Coast)
  • Scott Hege (R-District 52, Columbia River Gorge and Mt. Hood)
  • Dan Farrington (R-District 17, Marion and Linn counties)
  • Noemi Legaspi (R-District 22, Woodburn, North Salem, Gervais, Brooks, and Labish Village)
  • Rep. Anna Scharf (R-District 23, Polk and Yamhill counties)
  • Rep. Lucetta Elmer (R-District 24, Yamhill and Polk counties)
  • Stephanie Carken (R-District 26 ,Washington, Clackamas and Yamhill counties)
  • Rep. Darcey Edwards (R-District 31, Columbia, Washington, Multnomah and Yamhill counties)
  • Michael Sugar (D-District 40, Oregon City, Gladstone and Johnson City)
  • Rep. Matt Bunch (R-District 51, Canby, Estacada and Sandy)
  • Rep. E. Werner Reschke (R-District 55, Klamath County and parts of Lake County)
  • Rep. Emily McIntire (R-District 56, Klamath Falls, North Medford, and Eagle Point)
  • Rep. Greg Smith (R-District 57, Gilliam, Morrow, Wheeler, Wasco, and Sherman counties)
  • Rep. Bobby Levy (R-District 58, Umatilla, Wallowa, and Union counties)
  • Rep. Vikki Breese Iverson (R-District 59, Prineville)
  • Rep. Mark Owens (R-District 60, Baker, Grant, Malheur, Harney, and Lake counties)

U.S. House of Representatives — One endorsement:

  • U.S. Rep. Cliff Bentz (R-District 2, Eastern Oregon)

Election Day is Tuesday, November 3. Ballots were mailed Wednesday, October 14 and must be returned by Election Day. They can be postmarked on November 3 or must be deposited in an official drop box by 8 p.m. November 3. They also can be returned to a County Clerk’s office by 8 p.m. Such offices will be open from 7 a.m.–8 p.m. on Election Day.

 

# # #

Attached Media Files: ONPAC.LOGO.jpg,

Oregon Nurseries Issue 2026 General Election Endorsements (Photo) - 10/15/26

NOTE: CORRECTED. Michael Sugar is running in District 40, not 30, and there are 23 total endorsements in the House races. Our apologies for these mistakes.

 

Wilsonville, Oregon (October 15, 2026) – The Oregon Nurseries’ Political Action Committee (ONPAC) has issued its endorsements in selected races for the 2026 general election cycle, with an aim towards providing greater balance in the state capital.

 

“Oregon agriculture is under duress at the state and federal level, and the cost burden has made many operations struggle to remain competitive,” said nursery owner Tyler Meskers of Oregon Flowers Inc., who serves as chairman of ONPAC. “That’s why the nursery industry seeks to break the cycle of super majorities held by the Democrats in the Oregon Legislature and seek a new direction in the governor’s race.”
 

The endorsements are as follows:


Oregon Governor — Christine Drazan. “ONPAC believes that the state is at a critical juncture for livability and business survival,” Meskers said. “A Republican governor has not been elected since 1982 and it is time for a change. Drazan is a longtime ally of the industry. ONPAC endorsed her in 2022 during her narrow loss and feels she is again the best choice for the industry in 2026.”


Oregon Senate — Five endorsements: 

  • Brad Hicks (R-District 3, southern Jackson County)
  • Jack Tibbetts (R-District 6; Linn, eastern Lane and Marion counties)
  • Tracy Cramer (R-District 11, Marion County and Salem-Keizer); 
  • Courtney Bangs (R-District 16, North Coast and Lower Columbia)
  • Sen. Jeff Helfrich (R-District 26, Columbia River Gorge and Mt. Hood)

Oregon House of Representatives — 23 endorsements: 

  • Rep. Court Boice (R-District 1, Coos, Curry and Douglas counties)
  • Claire Lynn (R-District 9, Douglas, Lane and Coos counties)
  • Rep. Shelly Boshart Davis (R-District 15, Linn, Marion and Benton counties)
  • Ken Jackola (R-District 11, Linn, Marion and Benton counties)
  • Rep. Darin Harbick (R-District 12, Eastern Lane County)
  • Amanda Staehely (R-District 18, Clackamas and Marion counties)
  • Rep. Kevin Mannix (R-District 21, North Salem and Keizer)
  • Max Sherman (R-District 32, North Coast)
  • Scott Hege (R-District 52, Columbia River Gorge and Mt. Hood)
  • Dan Farrington (R-District 17, Marion and Linn counties)
  • Noemi Legaspi (R-District 22, Woodburn, North Salem, Gervais, Brooks, and Labish Village)
  • Rep. Anna Scharf (R-District 23, Polk and Yamhill counties)
  • Rep. Lucetta Elmer (R-District 24, Yamhill and Polk counties)
  • Stephanie Carken (R-District 26 ,Washington, Clackamas and Yamhill counties)
  • Rep. Darcey Edwards (R-District 31, Columbia, Washington, Multnomah and Yamhill counties)
  • Michael Sugar (D-District 40, Oregon City, Gladstone and Johnson City)
  • Rep. Matt Bunch (R-District 51, Canby, Estacada and Sandy)
  • Rep. E. Werner Reschke (R-District 55, Klamath County and parts of Lake County)
  • Rep. Emily McIntire (R-District 56, Klamath Falls, North Medford, and Eagle Point)
  • Rep. Greg Smith (R-District 57, Gilliam, Morrow, Wheeler, Wasco, and Sherman counties)
  • Rep. Bobby Levy (R-District 58, Umatilla, Wallowa, and Union counties)
  • Rep. Vikki Breese Iverson (R-District 59, Prineville)
  • Rep. Mark Owens (R-District 60, Baker, Grant, Malheur, Harney, and Lake counties)

U.S. House of Representatives — One endorsement:

  • U.S. Rep. Cliff Bentz (R-District 2, Eastern Oregon)

Election Day is Tuesday, November 3. Ballots were mailed Wednesday, October 14 and must be returned by Election Day. They can be postmarked on November 3 or must be deposited in an official drop box by 8 p.m. November 3. They also can be returned to a County Clerk’s office by 8 p.m. Such offices will be open from 7 a.m.–8 p.m. on Election Day.

 

# # #

Attached Media Files: ONPAC.LOGO.jpg,