Oregon Senate Republicans chose Sen. Daniel Bonham of The Dalles as their new leader. On April 15, he will replace Bend’s Tim Knopp, who is barred from seeking reelection this year under Measure 113 and will exit the Senate in January. Bonham will be around longer. His Senate term ends in January 2027 and he cannot seek reelection in 2026. Both lawmakers are among the Republican and Independent senators whose participation in last year’s long legislative walkout made them ineligible under the Measure 113 to run for another consecutive term.

Speculation around the Oregon Capitol is that Scott Moore, chief of staff for the House Majority Office since 2019, will go to work for new House Speaker Julie Fahey, D-Eugene. Fahey was House majority leader, and the House Democrats this week began recruiting for a chief of staff, with applications due April 14. Meantime, Moore remains on the job.

Alicia Temple, senior policy adviser in the House Speaker’s Office, is heading to Multnomah County to serve as an adviser in implementing House Bill 4002. Gov. Tina Kotek on Monday signed the bill, which reworks Measure 110’s approach to drug possession and addiction.

Gabii LeGate now is finance director for the Senate Democratic Leadership Fund, the campaign arm of the Oregon Senate Democrats. She had joined the caucus staff in January as outreach coordinator.

Nathan Clark, who was chief of staff during the 2024 legislative session for Rep. Maxine Dexter, D-Portland, is her new congressional campaign manager. Dexter is among seven Democrats vying to succeed retiring U.S. Rep. Earl Blumenauer. Her legislative assistant, Mie Kumin, is now running Dexter’s legislative office. On March 7, Dexter had posted on social media: “As of today, my campaign manager is no longer associated with my campaign. New leadership will be announced shortly.”

Inside Elections rates only three of Oregon’s six congressional seats as in play during this year’s elections. House District 5, held by Republican Lori Chavez-DeRemer, is rated “Toss-up.” District 4, held by Democrat Val Hoyle, and District 6, held by Democrat Andrea Salinas, are rated “Likely Democratic.”

Eli Ritchie has left the Oregon Department of Corrections, where for four years he was chief audit executive. He began work this week at the Department of Administrative Services as chief audit executive and statewide internal audit coordinator. In his departure email last week, Ritchie thanked the DOC leadership team and said, “such openness and transparency in working with an auditor is rare.”

The Oregon Department of Forestry added four community assistance foresters: Evan Elderbrock, Lilah Gonen, Alison Herrell and Jennifer Killian. Brittany Oxford had been the lone person in that role. Hilary Olivos-Rood was named grants administrator after five years as administrator for the Board of Forestry and rulemaking coordinator.

After 24 years as executive director of Willamette Riverkeeper, Travis Williams is departing to lead Willamette River Preservation Trust, which he founded last year.

Anna Maria Ponzi, a second-generation wine producer, has been named director of Linfield University’s Center for Wine Education. Ponzi, who has been interim director since January, is the former owner, chief executive and president of Ponzi Vineyards. She grew up on one of the first vineyards in the Willamette Valley.