Astoria city councilor seeks state House nomination

Published 8:00 pm Tuesday, July 16, 2024

Astoria City Councilor Andy Davis has filed to become the Democratic nominee for state House District 32.

The Democratic Party of Oregon will host a convention at 7 p.m. on Thursday at the Bob Chisholm Community Center in Seaside to affirm Davis’s nomination. He was the only Democrat to apply by the Tuesday deadline to replace Logan Laity, a Tillamook small-business owner who withdrew from the election in June, citing work relocation.

If his candidacy is affirmed by the party, Davis will face state Rep. Cyrus Javadi, a Tillamook Republican, in the November election.

“I think that one of the things that pushes me to want a Democrat in that office again is just the practical reality of, right now, Oregon is a very blue state with a very blue Legislature,” Davis said. “And it was very helpful to the region when we had (Democrats) in office, and they were able to help steer funds for projects that were important to the coast.”

Davis, a senior research analyst for the Oregon Health Authority, was elected to the Astoria City Council in 2022 representing Uniontown’s Ward 1. He has made housing a policy priority .

Davis ran unsuccessfully for the Clatsop County Board of Commissioners in 2018. His experience includes serving on city and county budget committees and the countywide citizen advisory committee reviewing the comprehensive plan.

Davis has been involved with Copeland Commons, a nonprofit behind a proposed affordable housing project off Marine Drive.

Davis has also previously served as chairman of the Clatsop County Democrats.

House District 32, a Democratic-leaning district, covers all of Clatsop and Tillamook counties and Clatskanie in Columbia County. Democrats held the seat for nearly two decades before losing ground to Republicans over the past few years.

Laity was unopposed in the Democratic primaries for the House seat in 2022 and in May. He narrowly lost to Javadi in November 2022.

“I welcome my opponent to the race,” Javadi wrote in a text message to The Astorian. “Healthy competition is essential for our democracy. My focus remains on serving the people of District 32 by improving our local economy, supporting our schools and ensuring community safety. I look forward to discussing our vision and achievements with voters as the campaign progresses.”