Sue Rieke-Smith Takes Charge in Oregon House District 26 Appointment

King City, Oregon, USA - In an important shift for the Oregon House, Sue Rieke-Smith has been appointed to fill the vacant seat for Oregon House District 26. This seat opened up after former Representative Courtney Neron was selected to take on the term of the late Senator Aaron Woods, who passed away in April. The selection was made on June 6, 2025, during a joint session of the county commissioners from Washington, Clackamas, and Yamhill counties, as stipulated by state law.

Rieke-Smith, who previously served as superintendent of the Tigard-Tualatin School District, brings a wealth of experience to her new role. Having concluded her tenure at the helm of the District last year, she has an impressive 25-year background in education, including her earlier roles as a trauma and public health nurse, teacher, and principal. She has often emphasized her nearly five decades of public service as a cornerstone of her professional ethos, as noted in her application for the position.

A Shift in Political Landscape

The district comprises several communities, including King City, Sherwood, Wilsonville, Bull Mountain, and parts of Clackamas and Yamhill counties. Rieke-Smith will represent these areas until January 2027, with the option to run for a full term in the upcoming 2026 elections. Her appointment comes at a time of significant transition within Oregon’s legislative framework, as various local leaders look to establish a new political direction in light of recent developments.

Rieke-Smith emerged from a competitive pool of nominees, which included Chelsea King, the former chair of the West Linn-Wilsonville School Board, and Mary Pettenger, who is currently a member of the West Linn-Wilsonville School Board’s Long Range Planning Committee. Each of these candidates brought their unique perspectives and backgrounds to the table, but Rieke-Smith’s robust experience in education likely played a crucial role in winning the appointment. As the commissioners evaluated the nominees, it was vital that the appointee aligned politically with the outgoing legislator, which Rieke-Smith did, fulfilling a necessary requirement of state law.

Looking Ahead

As Rieke-Smith takes her seat in the Oregon House, the community is eager to see how her extensive background in education and public service will influence her legislative priorities. Her leadership track record in local schools and her commitment to public health initiatives may offer constructive views on pressing issues affecting constituents. With her focus on educational improvement and community welfare, Rieke-Smith’s appointment signals a potentially fruitful era for District 26.

In her address to the county commissioners, Rieke-Smith expressed enthusiasm about her new role, stating that she is looking forward to working closely with colleagues to address the needs of the district. For now, the residents of Oregon House District 26 wait with bated breath to see the impact of her leadership and to witness how she navigates the challenges ahead.

For more information, be sure to check out the original articles from Wilsonville Spokesman, Go Big Blue Country, and Oregon Live.