Hansell is glad Fagan stepped down
By Terry Murry on Tuesday, May 9th, 2023 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
SALEM – Deputy Secretary of State Cheryl Myers is now the acting secretary of state. Shemia Fagan’s resignation occurred at 1 p.m. Monday. Gov. Tina Kotek will appoint a new secretary to complete the remainder of Fagan’s term.
Sen. Bill Hansell (R-Athena) was relieved when Fagan announced her decision to resign following controversy about her taking a side job with a marijuana company. Hansell said that the job of secretary of state cannot afford the slightest hint of scandal or conflict of interest.
“It’s second in line, a heartbeat away from the governorship,” he said. “And, she’s the auditor. She’s the one that is supposed to make sure that everybody else follows what they’re supposed to be doing.”
The new acting secretary of state concurred.
“Secretary of State Shemia Fagan’s actions put this agency in a difficult position,” Myers wrote in a prepared statement. “I believe she made the right decision by resigning. The professional staff at the secretary of state’s office will continue serving Oregonians through the Elections Division, Audits Division, State Archives, and Corporation Division.”
There is a special election coming up next week In Oregon, however it is held at the county level and the state does not certify the results.
