Herman Baertschiger Jr.
American politician
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Herman Baertschiger Jr. is an American Republican politician from Oregon who is the chair and a member of the Josephine County Board of Commissioners. He previously served in the Oregon State Senate from 2013 to 2021, representing the 2nd district.[1] He was elected in 2012 and served as minority leader of the Oregon state senate from 2019 to 2021.[2] Baertschiger served on the Senate Committee on Education and the Senate Committee on Finance and Revenue.[3][4] During the 2013–2015 legislative biennium session, Baertschiger vice-chaired the Senate Committee on Rural Communities and Economic Development and served on the Senate Committee on General Government, Consumer and Small Business Protection.[5][6][7]
Herman Baertschiger | |
|---|---|
| |
| Josephine County Commissioner | |
| Assumed office May 2022 | |
| Chair of the Oregon Republican Party | |
Acting | |
| In office March 11, 2022 – July 5, 2022 | |
| Preceded by | Dallas Heard |
| Succeeded by | Justin Hwang |
| Minority Leader of the Oregon State Senate | |
| In office January 22, 2019 – January 11, 2021 | |
| Preceded by | Jackie Winters |
| Succeeded by | Fred Girod |
| Member of the Oregon State Senate from the 2nd district | |
| In office January 14, 2013 – January 11, 2021 | |
| Preceded by | Jason Atkinson |
| Succeeded by | Art Robinson |
| Personal details | |
| Party | Republican |
| Spouse |
Leta Baertschiger (died 2017) |
Business career and personal life
Baertschiger is the head of the forestry-based HB Company, Inc., and runs a small ranch near Grants Pass. He has three sons and was married to Leta, who died in 2017.[8][self-published source]
Political career
Originally, Baertschiger faced a possible primary challenges from state senator Jason Atkinson and state representative Wally Hicks, but both men withdrew before filing.[9] James Diefenderfer, a Democratic Party candidate, filed a last-minute[9] challenge, but was defeated by an almost two-to-one margin.[10]
In May and June 2019, state Senate Republicans staged two walkouts, denying quorum in an effort to stop a gross receipts business tax bill and a gas and energy tax bill, aimed to lower greenhouse gas emissions. The Senate holds 30 seats, but 1 is vacant due to a death. Without the Republican senators, the remaining 18 Democratic state senators could not reach a quorum of 20 to hold a vote.[11]
In 2020 he declined to run for reelection.[12]
Baertschiger was elected Josephine County Commissioner in May 2020.[13]
Electoral history
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Herman Baertschiger Jr | 34,420 | 65.2 | |
| Democratic | Jim Diefenderfer | 18,219 | 34.5 | |
| Write-in | 174 | 0.3 | ||
| Total votes | 52,813 | 100% | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Herman Baertschiger Jr | 43,535 | 97.6 | |
| Write-in | 1,075 | 2.4 | ||
| Total votes | 44,610 | 100% | ||