Oregon Rep. Cyrus Javadi will leave the Republican party and register as a Democrat.
Javadi, who lives in Tillamook, announced Friday that he made the switch earlier this week ahead of the Thursday deadline for him to do so in order to run as a Democrat in next year’s election.
“Being an elected leader has never been about party loyalty to me, it’s been about how I can best fight for our community and our state,” Javadi said in a statement.
The move comes days after Javadi broke with Republicans and voted with Democrats to approve a transportation funding package put forward by Gov. Tina Kotek that would raise taxes and fees.
Democrats delayed the final vote on the package in the Senate until Sept. 17 because Sen. Chris Gorsek, a Gresham Democrat, was unable to attend a planned vote this week due to serious health issues.
Javadi also supported Democrats on other contentious issues during the five-month legislative session earlier this year.
He voted in favor of a bill that made it more difficult to ban books in schools and was the only Republican who sat at his desk during a drag performance in the Oregon House and supported a resolution honoring the history of Black drag in Oregon.
Earlier this week, he also teamed up with Salem Democrat Rep. Tom Andersen to try to convince lawmakers to refer a proposed constitutional amendment to next year’s ballot that would ban masked law enforcement.
However, Javadi also holds more conservative views that aren’t a natural fit in the Democratic party. The Oregon Capital Chronicle reported in July that he “has sponsored legislation to limit abortion access.”
On Friday, Javadi said his goal as a lawmaker is to work for his constituents.
“Like the vast majority of my constituents, I support our constitution and the right to freedom of speech, support the rule of law, believe we have a moral obligation to treat people fairly and with respect,” Javadi said in a statement Friday, “and believe that as elected leaders it’s our job to show up and govern, for the sake of ordinary people, not the interests of the powerful and well-connected.”
Evergreen PAC, the fundraising arm for House Republicans, said in a statement after Javadi’s announcement Friday that House Republicans “remain united in our commitment to lowering taxes, making homeownership affordable, ending homelessness, and improving student outcomes.”
The PAC said its mission wouldn’t be affected by Javadi leaving the party.
“Instead it strengthens our work, and our caucus, to advance those ideals by giving the north coast the opportunity to support a new leader who will put the needs of their communities above themselves,” the PAC said in a statement.
While 30% of registered voters in Javadi’s district are Democrats compared to only 25% who are Republicans, the largest contingent of voters are non-affiliated, at 37%.
Javadi’s switch means that Democrats will control 37 of the 60 seats in the Oregon House during next year’s short session.
— Jamie Goldberg oversees The Oregonian/OregonLive’s politics, education and homelessness coverage. She can be reached at jgoldberg@oregonian.com or 503-221-8228. You can find her on X at @jamiebgoldberg or Bluesky at @jamiebgoldberg.bsky.social.
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