Former State Rep. Betsy Close has been appointed as the newest state Senator
By Shelby Sebens | Northwest Watchdog
PORTLAND – A former state Representative is coming back to the Oregon legislature to fill the seat vacated by Frank Morse.
The Senate welcomed Betsy Close, R-Albany, on Wednesday after the Linn and Benton County commissioners appointed her to the district 8 seat during a joint meeting.
“I had the privilege of serving in the Legislature with Senator-select Close when she was in the House and I look forward to working with her again in the Senate,” Senate President Peter Courtney, D-Salem, said in a press release. A swearing in ceremony is expected to be scheduled soon.
Morse announced his resignation last month, shocking lawmakers after serving as a lawmaker well-liked on both sides of the aisle since 2002. In his statement, Morse said he’s lost the energy needed to fight to improve Oregon’s economic future. He said it was time for someone else to take the reins, though his term does not expire until 2014
Close served in the House from 1999-2005 and was the assistant majority leader in 2001 and 2003, according to the press release from the Office of the Senate President.
