The 2023 Legislature includes ten OSU alumni. Here’s a quick introduction to the Beavers elected to serve in Salem.
Brian Boquist – Senate District 12 (Polk & Yamhill Counties)
Born in Tillamook, Senator Brian Boquist has called Oregon home his entire life. After enlisting and serving in the U.S. Army, Senator Boquist received a degree from Western Oregon University and completed his MBA at Oregon State University. He has been serving in the state legislature since 2005 and currently represents Rural Polk and Yamhill Counties.
Sara Gelser Blouin – Senate District 8 (Corvallis, Albany, Philomath)
One of the foremost advocates for child welfare in Oregon, Senator Sarah Gelser Blouin has served in the Oregon legislature since 2005. Having earned degrees from Earlham College and an MAIS from OSU, Senator Gelser Blouin has been intimately involved in public education as well as the physical and mental welfare of Oregonians long before being sworn into office in both the house and senate.
David Gomberg – House District 10 (Central Coast)
Representative David Gomberg served as OSU student body president and earned a B.S. in Political Science as well as a master’s in Political Science, Economics and History. Representative Gomberg has been serving Oregon’s coastal residents since 2012. In addition to his passion for legislative service, Representative Gomberg is a passionate kite flier and has authored four books on the subject.
Jami Cate – House District 11 (Lebanon)
Born and raised in Lebanon, Representative Jami Cate has always been close to the land. A fifth generation farmer, she earned a degree in crop and soil science from OSU and continues to voice the importance of the agricultural industry in Oregon. In her free time, Representative Cate enjoys exploring the woods and mountains of House District 17, where she assumed office in 2021.
Charlie Conrad – House District 12 (Lane County)
Representative Charlie Conrad is representing House District 12 for the first time in 2023. Born in Corvallis, he attended OSU and received a B.S. in Wildlife Science. Having worked for the Springfield Police Department, the League of Oregon Cities and Lane County, Conrad brings a history of public service to the Oregon legislature. He currently resides in Dexter with his family.
Shelly Boshart-Davis – House District 15 (Albany, Millersburg, Tangent)
A lifelong Oregon resident, Representative Shelly Boshart-Davis was raised on a family farm and continues to maintain deep ties to the agricultural community. After earning a bachelor’s in business administration from OSU, she returned to grow her family’s farm and serve her community. She assumed office in 2019 and will continue to serve District 15.
Paul Evans – House District 20 (Monmouth)
Born in Salem and raised in Monmouth, Representative Paul Evans served the people of Monmouth as a city councilor at age 18 — one of the youngest elected officials in the nation. He graduated from Western Oregon University and, after serving in the U.S. Air Force, earned an MAIS from Oregon State University. His public service also includes teaching, firefighting, and mayoral and governor’s advisory roles before being elected to the Oregon legislature in 2015.
Hai Pham – House District 36 (South Hillsboro, West Beaverton, unincorporated Washington County)
Hai Pham is the newly elected representative for House District 36. Dr. Pham’s family emigrated to Corvallis following the Vietnam war. He received a B.S. in Biology from Oregon State and completed his residency at OHSU and Doernbecher Children’s Hospital before founding Hi5 Dental Dentistry for Kids in 2010. As a cancer survivor, Dr. Pham is passionate about health system reform and providing access to care for all Oregonians.
Jason Kropf – House District 54 (Bend)
Having grown up in a small timber town, Representative Jason Kropf has deep roots in Oregon. He received a B.S. in Philosophy from OSU before going on to earn his J.D. from the University of Oregon. He has served as Deputy District Attorney in Deschutes County and assumed legislative office in 2021. Representative Kropf currently resides in Bend with his wife and daughter.
E Werner Reschke – House District 55 (The Crater Lake District)
Hailing from Beaverton, Representative Reschke begins his third term in the House in 2023. He graduated from OSU in business administration and relocated to Klamath County with his wife, Ginny, an OSU journalism alumna, to raise their son. There, he previously worked for his family farm and three Fortune 500 companies and now advocates for small businesses and rural community members as the House District 55 representative.
