Oregon House Democrats set to vote on speaker replacement
Rep. Daniel Nguyen and two other lawmakers have signaled intent to challenge incumbent Speaker Julie Fahey at the party's retreat in two weeks.
By Jack Thompson ·
The Oregon House of Representatives is preparing for a leadership shakeup as the 2027 legislative session approaches. Three Democratic lawmakers have indicated they will seek the speaker's gavel from Julie Fahey, who has led the lower chamber since 2024.
Rep. Daniel Nguyen, D-Lake Oswego, confirmed his candidacy in a written statement. He described the current moment as an inflection point requiring bold leadership. Nguyen criticized the state's revenue system, stating it is held together by Band-Aids. He argued that a comprehensive discussion is overdue to modernize the tax structure to support education, health care, economic development, transportation, and housing.
Two other members of the party are also positioning themselves for the role. Majority Leader Ben Bowman, D-Tigard, and Rep. Thuy Tran, D-Northeast Portland, have been identified as potential challengers. Their interest was first noted in a newsletter by lobbyist and former lawmaker Rick Metsger. Oregon Public Broadcasting also reported on these potential candidates earlier this week.
The party will hold its biennial retreat in two weeks to vote on leadership positions. Democrats currently hold 39 of 60 seats in the House after gaining two seats in this month's midterm elections. While the party aims to unify on issues like mental health capacity and K-12 student success, analysts note the recent gains were driven more by national sentiment against the MAGA brand than by local support for Democratic leadership.
Incumbent Speaker Fahey has signaled she intends to remain in office. In a response to Willamette Week, she expressed confidence that she is the right choice for the position. Fahey pointed to her vision for capitalizing on a historic moment. She noted that Oregonians are focused on the cost of gas, groceries, and health care. She said she is ready to fight to keep residents insured, ensure data centers pay their fair share, and improve schools in the upcoming session.
Governor Tina Kotek, a fellow Democrat, declined to comment on whether Fahey should continue as speaker during a recent press conference. The outcome of the leadership vote will shape the agenda for the 2027 session, which is set to begin in January.
