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Sen. Daniel Bonham bids farewell to the Oregon Senate after years of service
Summary
Sen. Daniel Bonham delivered a personal farewell on the Senate floor in Salem, reflecting on his time in the Legislature, thanking colleagues and staff, criticizing Ballot Measure 113 and announcing plans to resign and resume private business ownership.
Sen. Daniel Bonham delivered a farewell address on the Oregon Senate floor on Sept. 30, thanking colleagues, staff and family and announcing he will step down from the Legislature and return to his private business.
Bonham recounted his early days in elected office and the relationships he formed across the aisle, saying he wanted "to look in the mirror when I'm done and see the same person that started." He described the experience of serving as "an honor" and repeatedly thanked staff and fellow members for their support.
Speaking candidly about recent politics, Bonham criticized Ballot Measure 113 and the legislative walkout it helped trigger, calling it "a stupid idea" and saying the body should aim for compromise. He also warned generally about the difficulty of sorting truth from falsehood in an era of deep uncertainty, urging colleagues to "bring me a set of facts. Bring me data, and then let's debate."
Bonham also shared personal notes: he said he had sold his business and was taking it back to ensure employees had a stable foundation, described his appreciation for colleagues and family, and referenced light-hearted anecdotes (including running a Senate Instagram page documenting "socks of the senate").
The president asked colleagues to stand and applaud Bonham's legislative service. The speech concluded with Bonham noting he would finalize his official resignation in short order and offering best wishes for fellow members as the special session continued.
