Herman Baertschiger Jr.


Herman Baertschiger Jr. is a Republican member of the Oregon State Senate, representing the 2nd District. He was elected in 2012 and currently serves as minority leader. He is on the Senate Committee on Education as well as the Senate Committee on Finance and Revenue. During the 2013-2015 legislative biennium session, Baertschiger vice-chaired the Senate Committee on Rural Communities and Economic Development, as well as served on the Senate Committee on General Government, Consumer and Small Business Protection, and the Senate Committee on Finance and Revenue.

Career and private life

Baertschiger is the head of the forestry-based HB Company, Inc., and runs a small ranch near Grants Pass. He has three sons and was married to Leta, who died in 2017.

Election and tenure

Originally, Baertschiger faced a possible primary challenges from state senator Jason Atkinson and state representative Wally Hicks, but both men withdrew before filing. James Diefenderfer, a Democratic Party candidate, filed a last-minute challenge, but was defeated by an almost two-to-one margin.
In May and June 2019, State Senate Republican's staged two walkouts, denying quorum in an effort to stop a gross receipts business tax bill and a gas and energy tax bill, aimed to lower greenhouse gas emissions. The Senate holds 30 seats, but 1 is vacant due to a death. Without the Republican senators, the remaining 18 Democratic state senators could not reach a quorum of 20 to hold a vote.
In 2020 he declined to run for reelection.