SALEM -- House Democrats are bracing for a major leadership change in light of next year's elections.
House sources have told The Oregonian/OregonLive that Val Hoyle -- who was first elected majority leader in 2012 and who helped guide the House to one vote shy of a supermajority in elections last fall -- is likely to step down from that role soon after the Legislature adjourns this month.
"I'm focused on getting out of the building and finishing the session," said Hoyle, in her third full term representing a district that includes Eugene and Junction City, when asked about plans rumored to include a race for Oregon secretary of state.
Hoyle did, however, confirm that she would be looking at her political options, among them a run for statewide office, this summer. She also faces a recall attempt -- already enduring legal challenges -- that was filed after she backed a gun bill expanding background checks to private sales.
House Majority Leader Val Hoyle, D-Eugene, is unlikely to run to keep her leadership position as she explores a bid for higher office.
Hoyle has spoken with some Democrats about her plans, according to sources who've asked not to be identified because they weren't authorized to share the conversations. Sources say leadership elections could take place this month. Democrats last re-elected Hoyle and House Speaker Tina Kotek of Portland in November.
As majority leader, Hoyle's primary job outside of sessions is raising money and helping House Democrats preserve or expand their 35-25 majority. Hoyle receives a monthly stipend for her work running the House Democrats' political action committee, Future PAC. She's the only legislative caucus leader to receive such a payment.
Hoyle's departure from the majority leader post could trigger a spirited contest among several up-and-coming Democrats. But sources say Rep. Jennifer Williamson of Portland, finishing her second term in the House, has the inside track.
Williamson, part of the leadership team, declined to comment on her plans, also saying she was focused on finishing the session.
Two other likely candidates, Rep. Jessica Vega Pederson of Portland and Rep. Tobias Read of Beaverton, have been mentioned instead for posts outside the Legislature. Read is the speaker pro tempore and sits on the Ways and Means Committee, which reviews budget items. Vega Pederson is the majority whip.
Vega Pederson of Portland has been named as a potential successor to Judy Shiprack on the Multnomah County Board of Commissioners. And sources say Read is almost certain to run for state treasurer, and also could make his plans clear as soon as the legislative session ends.
All around, 2016 promises to be an unusually intense election year, with a special election for the remainder of former Gov. John Kitzhaber's term joining a presidential election and regular state races for treasurer, secretary of state, labor commissioner and attorney general. Gov. Kate Brown is widely expected to run in next year's special election.
Those contests may be joined by several high-profile state ballot measures, including a push to raise the minimum wage in Oregon to $15 an hour. Next year's elections also include races for Portland mayor and two other spots on the Portland City Council.
The musical chairs ahead of 2016, meanwhile, might also extend to the Senate, where Sen. Richard Devlin, D-Tualatin, is seriously looking at a run for secretary of state. Devlin, a former majority leader, has lately been influential as the Senate's lead budget writer. Filling his position as co-chair of the Ways and Means Committee could mean political headaches for Senate President Peter Courtney, D-Salem.
-- Denis C. Theriault
503-221-8430; @TheriaultPDX