Now that Sen. Kate Lieber, D-Beaverton, has been elected Oregon Senate majority leader, the Senate Democrats are proceeding with recruiting a permanent caucus administrator. As previously reported, Tom Powers left in August. Applications are due Dec. 3. The annual salary is $88,104 to $132,156. The Senate Majority Office also is hiring a caucus policy advisor. The changes are underway because Rob Wagner of Lake Oswego, who was majority leader, is the Democrats’ nominee to become Senate president when the 2023 Legislature convenes.

Two veteran lawmakers from Portland no longer are in Democrats’ elected leadership – Elizabeth Steiner Hayward, who was deputy majority leader and overwhelmingly won reelection to the Legislature this year, and Michael Dembrow. The new deputy majority leader is Janeen Sollman of Hillsboro. A state representative, she was appointed to the Senate in January and this month won election to the seat.

An assistant majority leader, Dembrow previously announced he would retire from the Legislature instead of seeking reelection in 2024. He was in Senate leadership for more than 10 years but decided it was time to step aside. The new assistant majority leaders are Wlnsvey Campos of Aloha and Kayse Jama of Portland. Campos, who served one term in the House, said that at age 26 she is the youngest state senator in Oregon history.

There is less change in the House Democratic Caucus. Portlanders Rob Nosse and Andrea Valderrama flipped leadership roles. Valderrama is the new majority whip and Nosse the deputy. Zach Hudson of Troutdale and Ricki Ruiz of Gresham no longer are assistant majority leaders. Instead, Daycia Grayber of Tigard will join Pam Marsh of Ashland and Jason Kropf of Bend in that role.

Oregon House Republicans will choose their 2023 caucus leadership on Dec. 6, the day before Legislative Days at the Capitol.

The Senate Republicans have retained Tim Knopp of Bend as caucus leader and will elect the rest of their leadership team during Legislative Days. The Senate Republican Office this week began recruiting for a caucus communications director and a caucus policy analyst.

Several legislators also are seeking aides for the upcoming session.

In non-legislative news, Jon Makler has moved from transportation infrastructure to social services. He was Region 1 planning manager for the Oregon Department of Transportation and then special adviser on tolling policy. He now is program manager for Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon’s Northeast Emergency Food Program.

Tess Milio, who previously worked for Dalton Advocacy and CFM Strategic Communications, has opened Milio Capitol Consulting LLC in Portland.

Jimmy Radosta, longtime spokesman for Planned Parenthood Advocates of Oregon, has moved on to become communications director for Portland City Commissioner Carmen Rubio.