Mike McLane, a former state representative and Crook County Circuit Court judge, is running for state Senate, he announced Wednesday.

McLane, a lawyer by trade and a Powell Butte resident, is vying for the largely rural Senate District 30 seat, which represents much of southeastern Oregon, all of Crook County and parts of Deschutes and Jefferson counties.

Also on Wednesday, the current senator for District 30, Sen. Lynn Findley, R-Vale, announced he won’t seek reelection in 2024.

Findley is one of five state senators who are suing Secretary of State LaVonne Griffin-Valade to challenge the voter-approved Measure 113, which bars legislators from running for reelection if they accrue 10 or more unexcused absences during the legislative session.

Findley endorsed McLane in a press release Wednesday. He said, “Mike is a proven leader and has the experience, character, and knowledge of the district to represent our communities very well. I am confident he will be an exceptional voice and advocate for eastern and rural Oregonians in Salem, and he has my full support.”

McLane, who was also endorsed by U.S. Reps. Lori Chavez-DeRemer, R-Happy Valley, and Cliff Bentz, R-Ontario, said in his Wednesday announcement he’ll aim to protect the food supply, uphold rule of law and constitutional rights and bring state funds to District 30.

“My wife Holly and I care deeply about the farms, ranches and communities in central and eastern Oregon,” McLane said in the announcement.

McLane previously served five terms as a state representative in House District 55. Six of those were spent as House Republican Leader. McLane resigned from his post in 2019 to take an appointment from former Gov. Kate Brown as a judge for the 22nd Circuit Court of Oregon, which covers Crook and Jefferson counties.

McLane opted to leave the bench in 2021 and return to private practice with Lynch Murphy McLane, a Bend law firm.