Herman Baertschiger Jr.

Herman Baertschiger Jr. is a Republican politician who served in the Oregon State Senate, representing the 2nd District.[1] He was elected in 2012 and also served as minority leader.[2] He is on the Senate Committee on Education[3] as well as the Senate Committee on Finance and Revenue.[4] During the 2013-2015 legislative biennium session, Baertschiger vice-chaired the Senate Committee on Rural Communities and Economic Development,[5] as well as served on the Senate Committee on General Government, Consumer and Small Business Protection,[6] and the Senate Committee on Finance and Revenue.[7]

Herman Baertschiger
Minority Leader of the Oregon Senate
In office
January 22, 2019 – January 11, 2021
Preceded byJackie Winters
Succeeded byFred Girod
Member of the Oregon Senate
from the 2nd district
In office
January 14, 2013 – January 11, 2021
Preceded byJason Atkinson
Succeeded byArt Robinson
Personal details
Political partyRepublican
Spouse(s)Leta Baertschiger (deceased 2017)

Career and private 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]

Election and tenure

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 Republican's 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 is part of the Citizens Against Tyranny organization and described it in speeches he and Dallas Heard made at Garden Valley Church in Roseburg. The group doxxes "filthy traitors", locals who report out-of-compliance businesses to the Oregon Occupational Safety and Health Division. The group asks businesses to ban the locals. Heard said Citizens Against Tyranny demanded all county officials sign an endorsement with the group and those who refuse should be "purged" from office.[13][14]


References
  1. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2013-05-09. Retrieved 2013-03-02.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  2. "Baertschiger is Senate Republican Leader as Salem's Jackie Winters steps down". Statesman-Journal. Retrieved 2019-01-30.
  3. "Oregon Legislative Information System". olis.leg.state.or.us. Retrieved 2016-02-17.
  4. "Oregon Legislative Information System". olis.leg.state.or.us. Retrieved 2016-02-17.
  5. "Oregon Legislative Information System". olis.leg.state.or.us. Retrieved 2016-02-17.
  6. "Oregon Legislative Information System". olis.leg.state.or.us. Retrieved 2016-02-17.
  7. "Oregon Legislative Information System". olis.leg.state.or.us. Retrieved 2016-02-17.
  8. "herman4senate.com". Retrieved 16 April 2017.
  9. "Grants Pass businessman suddenly finds smooth road to Oregon Senate". oregonlive.com. Retrieved 16 April 2017.
  10. https://sos.oregon.gov/elections/Documents/results/results-5-2012.pdf
  11. "Oregon Republicans walk out on state Senate over climate change bill as governor threatens police roundup". CBS News. Retrieved 24 June 2019.
  12. Art Robinson won't run for Congress, seeks state Senate seat instead, KPIC, March 11th 2020. Retrieved July 18, 2020.
  13. CARISA CEGAVSKE (9 January 2021). "Citizens Against Tyranny movement, backed by Sen. Heard, seeks to expose people who make OSHA complaints". nrtoday.com. Retrieved 10 January 2021.
  14. Andrew Theen (9 January 2021). "2 Republican lawmakers back new group, Citizens Against Tyranny, which seeks to defy COVID-19 regulations". oregonlive. Retrieved 10 January 2021.
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