Three candidates have filed to fill the soon-to-be vacant Oregon Senate seat for District 30, which encompasses all of Baker, Crook, Grant, Harney, Lake and Malheur counties and parts of Deschutes and Jefferson counties.

Lynn Findley, of Vale, represents Senate District 30 but was prevented from seeking reelection after participating in a walkout with fellow conservatives in May 2023, temporarily shutting down the Senate and triggering the exclusion provision of Measure 113. That law, which Oregon voters passed in November 2022 in the wake of previous walkouts, prohibits any state senator or representative with 10 or more unexcused absences from floor sessions from running for the Legislature following their current term.

Republicans who participated in the walkout, which became the longest in state history, challenged Measure 113 via lawsuit, with the case making it all the way to the Oregon Supreme Court. Findley announced Nov. 8, 2023, that he would not seek reelection, before the Oregon Supreme Court rejected arguments from Findley and four other Republican senators regarding Measure 113. The court’s ruling meant Findley could not have run for another four-year term in 2024 even if he had wanted to.

Findley said in November 2023 that his decision not to seek reelection in 2024 had nothing to do with the legal challenge over Measure 113.

Findley’s retirement paved the way for three Republican candidates — Mike McLane, Douglas T. Muck Jr. and Robert Neuman — to throw their hats in the ring to fill his seat after his term ends at the end of this year. No Democrats filed to run.

McLane is an attorney who lives in Powell Butte, near Redmond, and practices law while serving as a colonel in the Oregon Air National Guard. He’s also a former Crook and Jefferson County Circuit Court judge, House District 55 representative, Deschutes County Circuit Court judge pro tem and law clerk of the Oregon Supreme Court and U.S. Attorney’s Office.

McLane graduated from Condon High School and has a bachelor’s degree in agricultural economics from Oregon State University as well as a law degree from Lewis and Clark Law School.

Muck lives in Prineville and is a farmer/rancher at the Lariat Ranch in Crook County while working as an investigator for Oregon State Investigations, whose mission is to investigate state and local governments for corruption, fraud and misuse of authority. He is a former volunteer at the Harney County Senior Center and Harney County Sheriff’s Office, a state corrections officer in Tillamook County as well as the owner of a disposal and recycling center in Florence.

Muck graduated from Bend High School and has an associate’s degree in education from Chemeketa Community College, plus three years of combined postsecondary education at Oregon State University and Western Oregon State College (now Western Oregon University).

Neuman lives in Greenhorn, in Baker County, and is a former district director for the Burnt River Soil and Water Conservation District. In his candidate filing, he lists his occupation as “candidate for office” and mentions having served in the U.S. armed forces, although he doesn’t specify which branch.

Neuman graduated from Stayton High School. According to his candidate filing, he spent a year majoring in general studies at Louisiana State University then three years at Adams State University in Colorado studying political science and women’s studies.

All three candidates were emailed the same questionnaire with word limits on their responses. Their answers to some of those questions are below and have been edited for grammar, punctuation and spelling.

The answers are in their original form otherwise.

What do you consider the top three priorities or needs for the district, and if you win the election, what will you do to address those priorities or needs?

McLane: I have a sense of urgency on three challenges that our district and Oregon face in this decade: The rule of law, food insecurity and the state budget competition.

First, I am not alone in seeing the degradation in the commitment of our state and federal leaders to the rule of law. When leaders value or fear the demands of the mob more than the rule of law, we are in jeopardy of seeing citizens subject to selective justice. If elected, I will oppose efforts to limit our constitutional rights and will advocate for policies that ensure due process of law for all people.

Second, both sides of the food supply chain are under strain. On the consumption side, many rural Oregonians have seen rising prices outpace the ability to afford balanced and nutritious meals for their families. On the production side of our food supply, there is a growing antagonism toward modern agriculture. I will work to support those who have food insecurity and oppose policies that show antagonism to sound agricultural production.

Third, Oregon must weather the coming storm of the federal government’s budget reckoning. The resulting state budget competition requires advocacy for services in our rural communities and incentives for our local economies. I will be a focused advocate for District 30 in the state Senate.

Muck: 1. Separate voting between Eastern and Western Oregon. I would strongly suggest the difference, between the area’s beliefs and heritage and separating the votes between these two areas would be the only fair way for the eastern population.

2. Keeping our rights to farming, ranching, logging, hunting, fishing and our constitutional rights as devoted Americans. I would continue to fight for these rights to be upheld, in whatever way possible making sure that these rights would not be taken from us.

3. Keeping our rights as parents and grandparents to locally choose for our children in our schools. I would voice my strong opinions of the rights of parents to have the choice for their children’s education in the school districts.

Neuman: Poverty in Eastern Oregon, especially in the border areas with Nevada and Idaho, causes many to go without essentials. Meaning that:

A) Amending state laws so that people are able to live on land that they own, or rent, to live in a RV. Laws requiring an income over a certain amount of rent forces many to become and remain homeless. Then they are refused services because of their race, gender, medical conditions, veteran status. Telling someone who just got out of the military that they need to live under a bridge is wrong.

B) Increasing protections under the Oregon Right to Farm Act. Agro terrorists target smaller farms because it’s easier to destroy smaller farms than larger ones. Increasing protections will mean that there’ll be more food available.

C) Gas stations (charging) more for those using a debit or credit card. Many benefits these days are provided in the form of a debit card. This charging more for using a debit card is harming the poor.

What in your background is key for you to be successful as a senator?

McLane: I was elected to five terms in the Oregon House of Representatives and spent six years as the House Republican leader (2013-19). During my entire service in the House, I was a member of the Joint Committee on Ways and Means — the state’s budget committee.

I have experience both in vetting agency budgets and balancing state priorities with the limits on revenues. I also served as a circuit court judge and presided over many jury and bench trials, as well as decided cases involving juvenile and family matters. I understand how state laws affect our families, communities, and businesses.

Finally, I grew up in Condon, Oregon, a small town in Gilliam County, participating in sports, 4-H, and FFA. Those small town values are still with me.

Muck: The key for success as senator is to have a open door policy, to stay in contact with the areas you represent, and allow anyone in your district to be able to contact you with issues and concerns, along with attendance to all county meetings in the district, to get opinions directly from the citizens I represent.

Neuman: Colonel McLane is an attorney. Commissioner Muck lists Oregon State Investigations as one of the occupations. I was enlisted in the military. Meaning that I’d get unclear instructions and would have to unscramble the egg.

After having to stand by for that stand by. While standing by after that stand by. To that point, I’m looking to bring new leadership. I’m also willing, if it’s the will of the voters, to step down after a year.

What guiding principles or political philosophy would you use in determining legislation you would carry or support?

McLane: As a state senator, I will swear an oath to support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the state of Oregon. That oath requires me to place both constitutions as the principal authority for my service in the Senate.

Next, I have a political philosophy that our republic is formed, as the preamble to the U.S. Constitution states, to “secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity.” Liberty is a blessing and must be secured. Each generation must ensure that the instrument of government secures liberty, maintains its blessings and conducts state affairs in our generation that permits future generations to enjoy the blessings of liberty.

As a conservative, I believe in pragmatic government with clear limitations on power.

I will support legislation that meets both ends.

Muck: My guiding principles are simple, I cannot be bought! My political philosophy is stand your ground, and don’t waiver on what is right.

Neuman: Individuals should have the right to live in peace, and to be able to enjoy peace and quiet in peace. Not to be told to commit suicide because they didn’t get a salad. Or said Latina instead of Latinx.

Holding law enforcement members accountable. It appears that I’m the only one who cares that a sheriff deputy threatened harm to Tina Kotek and Joe Biden.

It’s time for Oregon to be the shining of beacon of light.

Given that you are likely to be in the minority party, what is your plan to work across the aisle to get things done for your constituents?

McLane: During my time in the House of Representatives, and as the House Republican leader, I worked with legislators from both urban and rural districts, as well as two different governors. Relationships matter, and treating others with respect as I advocate for our district is what I believe is necessary to move legislation as a member of the minority party.

More specifically, I will need to tell a story and advocate as to why a bill should pass or funding should be appropriated. Advocacy is key.

Next, understanding the political pressures that are being placed on the majority party is critical because I need to address those in order to gain support of the committee chairs and Senate leadership.

Finally, nothing becomes law without the signature of Oregon’s governor. An effective senator must gain the support of the governor for a bill or appropriation, and that advocacy includes her senior staff.

Muck: Working as a minority group in the Senate is not a easy task. I believe with common sense and the ability to express myself without argument, will allow others to see my position supporting the citizens I represent.

Neuman: My ideas on ending homelessness has similarities to what Democrats have. While Susheela Jayapal, who’s running for Congress within the Portland area, believes that the government should begin building housing projects again, I find that housing authorities helping those who have housing vouchers rent from those who have rentals available would be a great start in Oregon.

Health care is something I care about. I’ve been refused medical care due to my not being able to have health insurance.