Rep. Mark Owens Elected as House GOP Deputy Leader

By Joe Hathaway on Monday, October 2nd, 2023 in More Top Stories Northeastern Oregon News

SALEM — Oregon Representative Mark Owens, (R-Crane), has been elected by House Republicans to serve as their Deputy Leader. Owens has represented House District 60 in the Oregon Legislature since January 2020.

“It is an honor to have the trust of my colleagues to serve in this leadership role, and it is a responsibility I take very seriously,’ said Rep. Owens in a statement to Elkhorn Media Group. “There is a lot of work to do to find common ground and consensus, but I know it can be done. By working together and prioritizing strong, smart policy over partisan, divisive politics, we can move our state forward towards a better future. I am committed to working with my colleagues on all sides of the aisle and in both chambers to ensure Oregonians have a voice in their legislature.”

Owens says the role of Deputy Leader is to assist the House GOP leader (who is now Rep. Jeff Helfrich from Hood River), and caucus members in policy and working jointly to bring balance back to Salem.

Owens is an alfalfa farmer, small business owner, Crane School Board Member, and former Harney County Commissioner. House District 60 includes all of Baker, Grant, Harney, Lake and Malheur counties, and a portion of Deschutes County.