OR Dist. 23: Jim Thompson to run

Jim Thompson Announces Bid for District 23 Seat
Promote Oregon Leadership PAC
Oregon House Republicans Newsletter
November 27, 2007 [Received via email]

Longtime Polk county resident Jim Thompson has announced he will run for the Oregon House of Representatives next year. Thompson, known for his plain-spoken style, plans to focus on fiscal issues and pressing local concerns. "I want to hear what our neighbors care about and get to work on their priorities," Thompson says, "There are too many people in the Capitol who think they already know what everyone needs."

Jim Thompson's name might be familiar to many. In 2004, the Dallas-area Republican was selected to serve out the term of Representative Lane Shetterly who was appointed to a job in state government. Additionally, Jim's wife Helga, who he met 42 years ago when the two were students at then-Western Oregon State College, has been an area teacher for over 35 years.

Thompson says his wife's years in the classroom help shape his thinking on schools. He said his priorities in the legislature will be focusing budgets on classroom spending and more transparent school budgeting. "We have to help schools and school boards across the state get more of the money into the classroom," Thompson said. "We also need to make it easier for people in the community to see how their schools are spending their tax dollars."

Thompson says some of his other priorities include reducing wasteful state spending, addressing local transportation needs, and tackling meth addiction and associated criminal activity, he is seeking the House District 23 seat being vacated by Brian Boquist who announced this summer that he will not run for re- election. Boquist has announced he is supporting Thompson.

"Jim has my support because he cares about the things we care about," Boquist noted. "He shares our values and he will work to uncover waste and excesses in government."

Thompson says he welcomes everyone's ideas and is planning a series of forums for early next year throughout the area to solicit thoughts from local residents. "Start making a list," he said. "If you have a gripe with state government, I want to start working with you on a solution."

Thompson is a small woodlot owner and has spent 30 years in the biotechnology industry working for companies like Bayer and Biomedex. He is currently the Executive Director of the Oregon State Pharmacy Association, a statewide organization that advances the practice of pharmacy through advocacy and education, and thereby improving the health of our fellow Oregonians. He and his wife have two grown children and two grandchildren.

District 23 includes rural portions of Yamhill, Polk, Benton, Linn and Marion County and encompasses all or part of Dallas, Falls City, Turner, Halsey, Harrisburg, Jefferson, Monroe, Sheridan and Willamina.