Clackamas County Appoints Matt Bunch to Oregon House Seat

Clackamas County commissioners have appointed Matt Bunch, a Republican and local insurance agent, to serve the remainder of former Representative Christine Drazan’s term in the Oregon House of Representatives. The unanimous decision was made on Monday, marking a significant transition in leadership for the 51st House District, which encompasses Canby, Sandy, Estacada, and nearby unincorporated areas of Clackamas County.

Bunch, who hails from Eastern Oregon, graduated from Oregon State University with a degree in psychology. He currently resides in the hamlet of Beavercreek within unincorporated Clackamas County, where he owns a small insurance business. In addition to his professional work, Bunch holds several leadership roles, including president of the Clackamas County Fair Board and associate director of the Clackamas County Soil and Water Conservation District. His previous experience also includes serving as president of the Clackamas County Farm Bureau.

Bunch initially filed to run for the House seat in October 2023. Although he briefly entered the race for the 2024 election, he later withdrew and endorsed Drazan after she announced her candidacy.

Upon his appointment, Bunch expressed gratitude to the commissioners for their support. “I’m ready to get to work for the people of this district and bring a strong, commonsense voice to Salem,” he stated.

Christine Drazan, who held the position of House Minority Leader, was appointed to the Oregon Senate following the resignation of Sen. Daniel Bonham, a Republican from The Dalles. Bonham stepped down after receiving a nomination for a position with the U.S. Department of Labor. Subsequently, Rep. Lucetta Elmer from McMinnville was appointed as the new minority leader, while Sen. Bruce Starr from Dundee took over Bonham’s role as Senate minority leader.

With this appointment, Clackamas County aims to ensure continued representation for its constituents in the Oregon legislature. Bunch’s background in local affairs and agriculture is expected to contribute positively to discussions impacting the district.