Hayden to run for Senate

FALL CREEK: State Representative Dr. Cedric Hayden (R-Fall Creek) announced this week that he will be seeking election to the newly-configured Senate District 6. The district is comprised of many of the Lane County communities Hayden currently represents, including the McKenzie Valley, Cottage Grove, Fall Creek, Oak Ridge, and Creswell. Additionally, the new district adds other Lane County communities like Junction City, Coburg, and Springfield, while also drawing in significant communities in Linn County such as Lebanon, Brownsville, and Shedd. However, the new district disconnects from the Douglas County communities Hayden has served during his four terms in the Legislature.

Hayden said that moving onto the Senate won't change his legislative priorities for 2023.

"Healthcare continues to consume the largest share of both personal household income and the Legislature's budget. We must work to bring costs down, make drug costs more affordable, and ensure better access, particularly for those in rural Oregon." In 2021 legislative session, Hayden chief-sponsored legislation to explore allowing a public option for Oregonians to buy health insurance at a reduced rate. "There's a tremendous amount of interest from my Senate healthcare counterparts on both sides of the aisle to solve the healthcare puzzle that's burdening so many families. We could have legislation passed by the end of 2023."

If elected in 2022, the senate term will last for four years.