Democratic Sen. Mark Hass ‘preparing’ to run for Oregon secretary of state in 2020

Sen. Mark Hass, D-Beaverton, speaks in Senate chambers recently during the 2017 Oregon State Legislature.LC- The Oregonian

The Democratic field for the May 2020 Oregon secretary of state primary is filling quickly, with Sen. Mark Hass of Beaverton the latest to announce his interest in the race.

Hass told The Oregonian/OregonLive on Tuesday that his qualifications include that he has “won some big battles ... and I’ve lost some big battles” in the Capitol.

"The secretary of state should be someone who can stand up to the political storms that blow through there and be able to stay standing and do a job that Oregonians expect, and that is to be fair to everyone,” Hass said. "I think I fit that role.”

Hass’ plans were first reported Tuesday by Willamette Week.

In the Oregon Legislature, Hass is known for his work on tax policy, particularly the $1 billion-a-year gross receipts tax he helped pass in the 2019 session after pursuing a similar tax for at least a couple years. Revenue from the tax will go to Oregon schools and early childhood education. Hass, a former television reporter, works as an account manager for the advertising and brand identity firm Cappelli Miles.

Hass’ political action committee is still registered to raise and spend money in the May 2020 primary for his Senate seat. Oregon candidates cannot file to run in the state primary until mid-September.

Last week, Democrat Jamie McLeod-Skinner confirmed she plans to run for secretary of state next year. McLeod ran unsuccessfully against U.S. Rep. Greg Walden, R-Hood River, in 2018, albeit in a closer race than any Democrat in years. McLeod-Skinner said that if she is elected secretary of state, she would have auditors look at private companies that do business with the state and would push for auditors to work more collaboratively with state agencies to promote the good work of government workers.

Hass declined to comment specifically on "what others are saying,” but suggested he would take a different approach. "The auditing function is critical for that agency and it’s one of the ways you keep checks and balances on state government ... That’s a valuable service that agency provides for Oregonians.”

Oregon’s current secretary of state is Republican Bev Clarno, the only member of the GOP to currently hold statewide office. Gov. Kate Brown, a Democrat, appointed Clarno to the position earlier this year after Secretary of State Dennis Richardson died of brain cancer. Brown said she would only appoint someone who promised not to seek election to the position, and Clarno is not expected to run in 2020.

Democrats, who control both chambers of the Legislature and every other statewide elected office, are eager to win back the secretary of state’s office. Rep. Dan Rayfield, D-Corvallis, is also rumored to be interested in the job but he did not respond to a request for comment last week.

On the Republican side, Deputy Secretary of State Rich Vial confirmed last week that he is considering running for the job. Sen. Tim Knopp, R-Bend, has also been mentioned as a potential candidate, but he did not respond to a request for comment last week.

— Hillary Borrud | hborrud@oregonian.com | 503-294-4034 | @hborrud

Visit subscription.oregonlive.com/newsletters to get Oregonian/OregonLive journalism delivered to your email inbox.

If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. By using this site, you consent to our User Agreement and agree that your clicks, interactions, and personal information may be collected, recorded, and/or stored by us and social media and other third-party partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy.