Rep. Jami Cate announced last week that she is running for the Oregon Senate District 6 seat, currently occupied by Cedric Hayden, whose term ends in January 2027.
Oregon’s primary election is May 19, 2026, 10 months after Cate’s announcement on July 19.
Cate has represented state House District 11, which includes all of Linn County except for Albany, Millersburg and Tangent, and Jefferson and Marion in Marion County, since 2021.
A fifth-generation farmer from rural Lebanon, Cate said in a statement that she will bring “common-sense leadership, deep community roots, and commitment to rural values to the State Senate.”
“Rural Oregon deserves a voice that fights for our farms, forests, and freedoms,” said Cate. “As your state representative, I’ve stood firm against overregulation and Portland-driven agendas, advocating for wildfire recovery, agriculture, and accountable governance. I’m running for Senate District 6 to continue this work, ensuring our communities thrive for the next generation.”
Among her accomplishments in office, Cate said she has been a leader in wildfire recovery efforts, pushed for accountability at every turn, and defended constitutional rights.”
Her list of priorities, if elected, includes:
- Protecting Rural Economies: Supporting agriculture, timber, and small businesses by reducing regulatory burdens.
- Wildfire Prevention and Recovery: Advancing meaningful forest management to protect communities from future wildfires.
- Fiscal Responsibility: Opposing new taxes and demanding transparency in state spending, including ODOT and other mismanaged agencies.
- Standing up for the Unborn: Continuing to be an unabashed defender of those who do not have a voice, Jami Cate is the author of the only pro-life legislation that has actually passed the Legislature in recent history, and has always been endorsed by Oregon Right to Life.
- Preserving Freedoms: Defending Constitutional and Second Amendment rights with proven results.
In addition to running a grass seed farm, Cate has also been a longtime member of the Lebanon Strawberry Festival, including serving as board chair and association treasurer; and has served in various leadership capacities with the Lebanon Museum Foundation; the Oregon Tall Fescue Commission; and the Lebanon Community Foundation.
Cate listed nearly 30 endorsements from local politicians and law enforcement officials in her candidacy announcement.
Sen. Fred Girod, who formerly represented much of Linn County before redistricting moved east Linn County out of Senate District 9, described Cate as “smart, articulate, and a counterweight to Portland’s extreme liberal agenda.”
“I trust her to support our rural way of life. She simply is the best.”
Linn County Commission Chair Roger Nyquist said: “When our community needs something, Jami Cate is there, every time. I am honored to endorse her and am committed to helping her get elected. Jami will be a strong voice for Linn County and rural Oregon in the Senate.”
“Jami Cate was a leader in pushing back on the horrific drawdowns at Green Peter and Lookout Point Dams, and the damages they’ve caused our communities,” said Lebanon Mayor Kenneth Jackola. “ She has worked to keep our citizens informed to help amplify our voices.”