With a choice of three nominated candidates, the commissioners of
Clackamas, Hood River and Multnomah counties selected Jeff Helfrich of Hood

River to fill the vacated Oregon House of Representatives slot of Mark
Johnson.

The pick was confirmed at a Nov. 29 meeting of the commissioners.
Helfrich was confirmed by unanimous vote over candidates Stan Pulliam of
Sandy and Erick Haynie of Hood River.

Finalists were selected by the State Republican Party in early November.
Johnson (R-Hood River) announced his retirement Nov. 6 from the state
legislature after being selected as president and CEO of Oregon Business &
Industries, a lobbying firm of Oregon Business Association and Associated
Oregon Industries.

“Moving on from serving House District 52 and taking the position at OBI is an
easier transition for me knowing that someone like Jeff will fill the remainder
of my term,” wrote Johnson in an email to the Mountain Times. “He is highly
qualified and I'm confident he can do a wonderful job serving the diverse
communities of the district. I'll do all I can to help him be successful
completing this term and to be successful when he runs for re-election.”

Helfrich spent more than 25 years in law enforcement and continues as a
patrol deputy in Multnomah County. He also was a member of the Cascade
Locks Planning Commission and the Cascade Locks City Council. He served in
the Air Force during the Gulf War.

Helfrich was sworn in Dec. 6 in Salem.