ENTERPRISE — There’s another hat in the ring in the race for Oregon State Senate District 29.

Wallowa County resident Andy Huwe announced on Monday, June 26, his intent to run in the 2024 Republican Primary.

Sen. Bill Hansell, R-Athena, currently holds the seat but is not seeking reelection. Three other candidates already entered the race: Todd Nash, Wallowa County commissioner; Hermiston mayor Dave Drotzmann; and Jim Doherty, former Morrow County commissioner.

“I plan on building a stronger Eastern Oregon. The policies that I will bring are both common sense and will benefit everyone within the district,” Huwe said in his announcement. “We need someone who is willing to listen, and work with all sectors of our community. I plan on being our next state senator and provide a voice to all.”

Huwe has actively worked with Hansell, former Rep. Greg Barreto and Rep. Bobby Levy on various legislation, according to Huwe’s announcement. Huwe is active in Wallowa County politics, serving as precinct committee person for Enterprise’s second precinct in the Wallowa County Republican Party.

He also is the state secretary for the Young Republicans of Oregon, is involved with the Turning Point USA chapter at Eastern Oregon University and has been chosen to be Eastern Oregon’s Associated Student Government director of political affairs.

Huwe said Eastern Oregon is having big city problems but doesn’t have the benefits a big city provides.

“Homelessness, public safety, drugs and a massive housing shortage are infesting the majority of our counties within Eastern Oregon,” he said. “With these issues becoming apparent, we are not getting the economic benefits. In fact we are having an active brain drain and losing our young people to other areas. All these issues are solvable, and we need to work together, on the local, county and state level to solve these issues — rather than having a one-size-fits-all solution that the state will provide.”

Hansell, a Republican from Athena, has served more than four decades in local and state government positions, with eight terms as a Umatilla County commissioner. He is in his third term in the Oregon State Senate.

Senate District 29 covers all of Umatilla, Morrow, Union, Gilliam and Sherman counties, as well as parts of Wasco County.