Jessica George (left) and Scott Guptill respond to questions from county commissioners on Friday, Dec. 10 (KEIZERTIMES/Joey Cappelletti)
County commissioners from Marion, Yamhill and Washington counties voted Friday afternoon to appoint Jessica George as the next state representative for House District 25. George will replace Bill Post, who resigned in October after seven years as the District 25 representative.
“I want to thank former Representative Bill Post for his service and congratulate Jessica George on her appointment today to House District 25,” Marion County Commissioner Kevin Cameron said. “Jessica’s experience being in the state capitol as a staffer in the past and her relationships she has established in the building will make her an asset to her constituents.”
In the past, George has worked as a legislative staff member for former senators Ted Ferrioli (R-John Day) and Larry George (R-Sherwood), who is also her husband. George’s father, Rod Johnson, is also a former state senator.
In addition to being a mother of three children, George now works as a project manager for the George Packing Company in Newberg, where her family grows and processes hazelnuts.
Other candidates in consideration were Jessica Davidson and Scott Guptill, both of whom are Keizer residents. George was appointed to the vacancy by a six to one vote at the joint meeting on Friday, Dec. 10. She will represent the residents of Keizer, St. Paul and Newberg in the Oregon House until January 2023.
After the three Republican candidates introduced themselves, county commissioners took turns asking the candidates questions. During her answers, George said she was pro-life, anti-mask and vaccine mandates and would walk out of state Legislature to deny a quorum if she deemed it necessary.
George said she plans to serve for only one year and not seek election in 2022. According to Republican sources, Kevin Mannix, a former Republican state representative and Salem-resident, is preparing to run for the District 21 seat that will encompass Keizer and part of Salem in 2022.
Multiple commissioners said that while all the candidates were impressive, it was George’s experience in the state Legislature that separated her. Marion County Commissioner Colm Willis initially cast his vote for Guptill but said he was in full support of George following the results.
Friday’s joint meeting followed a nominating convention that took place at the Keizer Community Center on Thursday evening. At the convention, Republican precinct committee persons from Marion, Yamhill and Washington nominated the three candidates from a pool of four.
Following a move to Nevada, Post announced in October that he would officially resign from the District 25 position on Nov. 30. Commissioners were required to replace Post, who is a Republican, with a member of his own party.
News tip? Contact reporter Joey Cappelletti at [email protected] or 616-610-3093.