Todd Nash is an American politician currently serving in the Oregon State Senate.[1] A member of the Republican Party, he represents the 29th district, which encompasses all of Gilliam, Morrow, Sherman, Umatilla, Union, Wallowa, and Wheeler counties as well as parts of Clackamas, Jefferson, Marion, and Wasco counties.
He is Oregon's first state senator to come from Wallowa County.[2][3]
Early life and education
Nash was born in Sacramento, California and moved to Oregon at a young age. He graduated from Enterprise High School and attended Linn–Benton Community College.[4][5]
Career
Nash is the owner of a small cattle ranch, which he built up himself.[5]
In 2016, he was elected to the Wallowa County Commission, and served in that position for two terms.[5]
From 2022 to 2023, he was president of the Oregon Cattlemen's Association, a ranching trade association and advocacy group.[6][7]
Oregon State Senate
On March 30, 2023, Nash announced his candidacy for Oregon State Senate in district 29 to replace Bill Hansell, who announced his retirement.[8][9] In the Republican primary, Nash face a former Morrow County Commissioner, the Mayor of Hermiston, Oregon, and the executive secretary of the Young Republicans of Oregon.[10] Nash defeated all three, earning over 50% of the vote.[11] Nash defeated unaffiliated candidate Tania Wildbill in the general election, earning over 80% of the vote.[12]
In the 2025 session, Nash was appointed vice-chair of Natural Resources and Wildfire Committee. He was also appointed to the Human Services Committee and the Housing and Development Committee.[13][14]
Political positions
Nash identifies as pro-life and is endorsed by Oregon Right to Life.[15]
When asked about the rising cost of education and living, Nash acknowledged that costs have risen while wages remained low. He claimed that young people should ensure that they are going out of their way to choose profitable careers and marketable degrees, and that employers should go out of their way to recruit students. Nash said he would be open to supporting certain loan forgiveness programs for students.[16]
In response to the 2023 Senate walkouts, Nash claimed that he thought the senators made the right decision. When asked if he would he would ever participate in a walk-out, he said that he likely would in response to things that "challenge our core ethics, or... challenge the core of our constitutional rights," although it wouldn't be the first resort.[16]
Personal life
Nash married Angie and has four children.[17] He currently resides in Enterprise with his family.[5]
Electoral history
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Todd Nash | 45,473 | 81.5 | |
| Independent | Tania Wildbill | 10,099 | 18.1 | |
| Write-in | 253 | .5 | ||
| Total votes | 55,825 | 100% | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Jim E Doherty | 4,215 | 25 | |
| Republican | David Drotzmann | 3,400 | 20.2 | |
| Republican | Andy B Huwe | 291 | 1.7 | |
| Republican | Todd Nash | 8,917 | 52.9 | |
| Write-in | 19 | 0.1 | ||
| Total votes | 100.00 | |||
External links
References
- ^ Quin, Ethan (January 13, 2025). "Oregon Legislature convenes, new southern Republican lawmakers sworn in". KOBI-TV NBC5 / KOTI-TV NBC2. Retrieved January 15, 2025.
- ^ Murry, Terry (2025-01-14). "Nash is sworn in as the first senator from Wallowa County". Elkhorn Media Group. Retrieved 2025-01-30.
- ^ "Todd Nash sworn in to Oregon legislature for Senate District 29". The Times-Journal. Retrieved 2025-01-30.
- ^ "2024 Gilliam, Morrow, Sherman, Union, Wallowa, Wheeler". State Library of Oregon Digital Collections. Retrieved 2025-01-30.
- ^ a b c d "Years in the minority haven't dampened competitive GOP primary for Eastern Oregon seat". opb. Retrieved 2025-01-15.
- ^ "Leadership". Oregon Cattlemen's Association. Retrieved 2025-01-30.
- ^ CRAIG REED (2022-04-15). "Cattle association backs expansion of smaller beef processors". Baker City Herald. Retrieved 2025-01-30.
- ^ BILL BRADSHAW (2023-03-30). "Nash announces run for Hansell's Senate seat". Wallowa County Chieftain. Retrieved 2025-01-30.
- ^ Shumway, Julia (March 2, 2023). "Longtime eastern Oregon Sen. Bill Hansell plans to retire in 2024". Oregon Capital Chronicle. Retrieved 2025-01-30.
- ^ Baumhardt, Alex (2024-05-06). "Open state Senate seat in eastern Oregon draws four Republican candidates". Oregon Capital Chronicle. Retrieved 2025-01-30.
- ^ "2024 Election: Nash wins Republican nomination for Senate District 29". East Oregonian. 2024-05-21. Retrieved 2025-01-30.
- ^ "Legislature: Nash cruises to win for Senate seat; unopposed Levy reelected". Wallowa County Chieftain. 2024-11-05. Retrieved 2025-01-30.
- ^ Shumway, Julia (2025-01-17). "Meet Oregon's 19 new state legislators". Oregon Capital Chronicle. Retrieved 2025-01-30.
- ^ "Senator Todd Nash committees". Oregon Legislature. Retrieved 2025-01-30.
- ^ OTTMAR, PENNY (2024-05-04). "Letter: Nash is endorsed by pro-life advocates". East Oregonian. Retrieved 2025-01-30.
- ^ a b District 29: State Senate Debate. The Mountie Network. 2024-04-20. Retrieved 2025-01-30 – via YouTube.
- ^ "Meet Senator Nash". Vote Todd Nash. Retrieved 2025-01-30.
- ^ "November 5, 2024, General Election Abstract of Votes" (PDF). Oregon Secretary of State. Archived (PDF) from the original on December 12, 2024. Retrieved December 12, 2024.
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