Republican
Republican can refer to:
Political ideology
* An advocate of a republic, a type of government that is not a monarchy or dictatorship, and is usually associated with the rule of law.
** Republicanism, the ideology in support of republics or agains ...
member of the
Oregon State Senate
The Oregon State Senate is the upper house of the statewide legislature for the US state of Oregon. Along with the lower chamber Oregon House of Representatives it makes up the Oregon Legislative Assembly. There are 30 members of the state Sena ...
. He represents the 26th district, encompassing rural Clackamas County and parts of
Wasco Wasco is the name of four places in the United States:
Places United States
* Wasco, California, a city in California
** Wasco State Prison, located in Wasco, California
* Wasco, Illinois, a former hamlet (unincorporated town) in Illinois, now pa ...
Columbia River Gorge
The Columbia River Gorge is a canyon of the Columbia River in the Pacific Northwest of the United States. Up to deep, the canyon stretches for over as the river winds westward through the Cascade Range, forming the boundary between the sta ...
.
Biography
Bonham was raised in
Tigard, Oregon
Tigard ( ) is a city in Washington County, Oregon, United States. The population was 48,035 at the 2010 census. As of 2007, Tigard was the state's 12th largest city. Incorporated in 1961, the city is located south of Beaverton and north of Tua ...
, and graduated from
Tigard High School
Tigard High School is a public high school located in Tigard, Oregon, United States. It is one of two high schools in the Tigard-Tualatin School District and educated students in grades 9–12.
History
Tigard High School originally was in a diff ...
in 1995. He received a
bachelor's degree
A bachelor's degree (from Middle Latin ''baccalaureus'') or baccalaureate (from Modern Latin ''baccalaureatus'') is an undergraduate academic degree awarded by colleges and universities upon completion of a course of study lasting three to six ...
in business from
Linfield College
Linfield University is a private university with campuses in McMinnville, and Portland, Oregon. Linfield Wildcats athletics participates in the NCAA Division III Northwest Conference. Linfield reported a combined 1,755 students after the fall ...
in 1999. Bonham then worked for
Evergreen International Aviation
Evergreen International Aviation, Inc. was a global aviation services company based in McMinnville, Oregon, United States. Founded in 1960, Evergreen was primarily known publicly for commercial helicopter operations in agricultural and forestry a ...
and RB Rubber Products in McMinnville, before moving to
The Dalles
The Dalles is the largest city of Wasco County, Oregon, United States. The population was 16,010 at the 2020 census, and it is the largest city on the Oregon side of the Columbia River between the Portland Metropolitan Area, and Hermiston ...
in 2007, where he purchased Maupin's Stove and Spas.
Bonham lost his wife, Lori, to cancer in December 2022. Daniel has two children: Jennifer and Jack.
In early 2023, Bonham was injured in a House vs. Senate basketball game. Democratic Representative Hai Pham, a dentist, administered emergency care in the stadium.
Tenure
Bonham was previously on The Dalles City Budget Committee as well as The Dalles Urban Renewal Budget Committee. In 2017, Representative John Huffman resigned. Bonham was appointed by county commissioners to fill the vacancy.
Bonham served as Deputy House Minority Leader from 2019 to 2022. Bonham was one of the only Republicans in the house to vote in favor of the Oregon Family Leave Act.
Bonham was elected to the State Senate in 2022, the first election since redistricting. Bonham won with 59.2% of the vote. He was the only Republican endorsed by the
Willamette Week
''Willamette Week'' (''WW'') is an alternative weekly newspaper and a website published in Portland, Oregon, United States, since 1974. It features reports on local news, politics, sports, business, and culture.
History
Early history
''Willame ...
in 2022, and was called "the most sensible Republican we met this cycle". He currently serves as Deputy Senate Minority Leader.
2023 unexcused absences
On May 15, 2023, Bonham, along with 8 other Republicans and 1 Independent in the senate, were disqualified from seeking reelection by
Oregon Secretary of State
The secretary of state of Oregon, an elected constitutional officer within the executive branch of government of the U.S. state of Oregon, is first in line of succession to the governor. The duties of the office are auditor of public accounts, ch ...
LaVonne Griffin-Valade because they had accumulated more than 10 unexcused absences over the course of the legislative session. The new rule was the result of a recently passed ballot measure aimed at preventing future walkouts. Bonham and 4 other Senators filed a lawsuit in response, arguing that the measure's wording allowed them to serve one additional term before being barred from reelection. On October 24 the
Oregon Supreme Court
The Oregon Supreme Court (OSC) is the highest state court in the U.S. state of Oregon. The only court that may reverse or modify a decision of the Oregon Supreme Court is the Supreme Court of the United States.
* House Transportation Committee, 2018 Session
* House Energy and Environment Committee, 2018 Session
* House Committee on Economic Development, 2019 Session (Vice-chair)
* House Committee on Business and Labor, 2019 Session
* Joint Committees on Carbon Reduction, 2019 Session
* Ways and Means Subcommittee on General Government, 2019 Session
Workgroups & Councils
* Rural Policy Workgroup, 2018 Session (chair)
* Paid Family & Medical Leave Workgroup, 2018 Session
* Legislative Council on River Governance, 2018 Session
Political positions
Abortion
Regarding
abortion
Abortion is the termination of a pregnancy by removal or expulsion of an embryo or fetus. An abortion that occurs without intervention is known as a miscarriage or "spontaneous abortion"; these occur in approximately 30% to 40% of pregn ...
, Bonham describes himself as "a right-to-life person" but "a man who believes in the rule of law." He says that he opposes abortion in most cases with exception in the case of rape or to protect the life of the mother. He admits that Oregon is a heavily pro-choice state and that abortion likely will not be criminalized, but says that there is likely room for negotiation in regards to third-trimester abortions.
Business and economy
Bonham supports broadening the tax base through reduction of taxes and allowing business to grow. He believes increasing the economy would increase tax revenue which allows the state to investment in the educational system and support reasonable social services.
Education
Bonham has stated "Oregon has no greater obligation than to ensure it is providing the resources necessary for a quality education. A stronger education system means greater opportunities for the future of our kids, community, industry, and our state."
Family & medical leave
Bonham was one of the only Republicans in the house to vote in favor of the Oregon Family Leave Act.
Healthcare
Bonham says that he does not believe Medicare actually provides needed services and that "an open, free market is a better system than government regulation."
Rural issues
According to Bonham, "The challenges facing our rural communities are often overlooked in Salem."
Daniel was one of the chief sponsors of a campaign to bring broadband access to the small town of
Maupin, Oregon
Maupin is a city in Wasco County, Oregon, United States. Located on the Deschutes River, much of the city's economy is related to the river through outdoor activities, such as fishing and rafting. The population was 418 at the 2010 census.
Histo ...
.
Texas
Following the Standoff at Eagle Pass, Bonham signed a letter in support of Texas Governor
Greg Abbott
Gregory Wayne Abbott (born November 13, 1957) is an American politician, attorney, and former jurist serving as the 48th governor of Texas since 2015. A member of the Republican Party (United States), Republican Party, he served as the 50th Tex ...