Candidates emerge for Oregon Senate seat

The Nov. 2026 general election is almost a year away, but candidates are already lining up to represent Rainier and its surrounding communities in the Oregon Senate.

Senate District 16 includes all of Columbia, Tillamook and Clatsop counties and parts of Washington, Multnomah, and Yamhill counties. It is currently represented by Republican Senator Suzanne Weber, a former mayor of Tillamook. Weber is not seeking another term.

As of Nov. 10, five candidates have filed for the position. Three are Republicans and two are Democrats.

The Republicans are Clatsop County Commissioner Courtney Bangs, Rockaway Beach resident Tripp Deitrich, and Astoria resident Frank Mansfield. The Democrats are Manzanita resident Aaron Dickie and Portland resident Jordan Gutierrez.

Gutierrez ran for House District 31 in the Nov. 2024 general election, ultimately losing out to Rep. Darcey Edwards (R-Banks).

Edwards has filed to run for another term and is the only House District 31 candidate, as of early Nov.

The filing deadline for House District 31 and Senate District 16 is in March. Qualifying candidates will appear on the ballot for the May 2026 primary election. The winners of those primary races will then go on to the Nov. 2026 general election.