Carolyn Tomei, Long-Serving Oregon House Democrat, Will Retire

Rep. Carolyn Tomei

State. Rep. Carolyn Tomei (D-Milwaukie), the longest serving Democratic member of the Oregon house along with Rep. Phil Barnhart (D-Eugene) has decided not to seek re-election this year.

"I've really enjoyed my service," Tomei says. "But I'm not going to run again."

Tomei, 78, who first won election in 2000, filed to run for her eighth term last September but she has recently changed her mind. A former social worker and Milwaukie mayor, she is chairwoman of the House Human Services Committee and has long been known for her commitment to funding social services.

A number of Democrats, inlcuding Deborah Barnes, a teachers' union official and former Milwaukie city councilor, are said to be considering running to replace Tomei. Registered Democrats outnumber registered Republicans by nearly 13,000 in the Tomei's district, District 41, which includes Milwaukie, Oak Grove and a portion of Southeast Portland.

The filing deadline is March 11.

Timothy McMenamin, who ran against Tomei in 2012 has filed to run for the GOP nomination in District 41.

Tomei joins her colleague, Rep. Greg Matthews (D-Gresham) on the sidelines. As The Oregonian reported, Matthews announced today he will leave the Legislature to focus on his duties as Gresham fire chief.

WWeek 2015

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