DEAN TO CONTEST OREGON’S ETHICALLY-CHALLENGED REP. GREG SMITH IN NOVEMBER ELECTION
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DEAN TO CONTEST OREGON’S ETHICALLY-CHALLENGED REP. GREG SMITH IN NOVEMBER ELECTION
(Dufur, OR) – Josiah Dean, resident of Dufur, former co-owner of The Balch Hotel, and previous small business owner, announced his candidacy for Oregon’s House District 57 on July 13, 2026. He currently works as a Business Advisor at the Small Business Development Center at Columbia Gorge Community College in The Dalles.
Dean’s name was placed on the ballot after the annual nominating convention of the Green Party.
In the Republican primary election this spring, current incumbent Rep. Greg Smith (R) of Heppner won by just 500 votes over challenger Jim Doherty of Morrow County. No Democratic Party candidate filed for the 2026 elections for this seat.
Citing increasing public distrust and dissatisfaction over numerous ethics complaints dogging the incumbent, Dean announced, “After 26 years of Rep. Smith, it’s time to have fresh new leadership that gives Eastern Oregonians the honesty and transparency we deserve.”
Dean formerly served as a City Councilor with the City of Dufur from 2015 to 2024. He is familiar with finding middle ground that serves the community and creates partnerships.
But there are big issues facing House District 57 that Dean will need to address. Including Wildfire Resilience, Data Centers Water Use and Tax Abatement, Family Farms and Irrigation, and boosting rural economy for small, medium and family businesses.
The region is increasingly under threat from wildfires, with the summer of 2026 burning 2.3 million acres already in Oregon. Dean has made preparing fire safe communities a top priority along with good roads needed to get support in to fight fires, and to enable people to get out when fires threaten.
Additionally, as more land is being proposed for data centers, Dean emphasizes putting community needs over corporate profits and industrial users. This means empowering local residents in having a say on how those data centers impact their resources and communities. “Our resources, including land, water, and electrical grids, need to serve local people before corporations,” Dean said.
When it comes to farming, Dean notes that the vast agricultural lands in House District 57 are populated by hard-working families that put food on our tables across this state and beyond. As a legislator, Dean plans to support those multi-generational farm businesses, while ensuring that everyone has enough clean water to support their needs.
Finally, another key issue facing the rural economies within District 57 is the fact that many small towns are teetering on the brink of extinction. As a small business owner in a small town,and business adviser in a rural region, Dean understands this challenge all too well. He plans to support these towns to spark innovation, enterprise, and economic health. By seeking out opportunities to inject new lifeblood into these areas, Salem can help rural Oregon… stay rural Oregon.
Dean’s website is available and provides additional information about his policies and advocacy for people looking to learn more about the campaign, to donate, or volunteer. www.JosiahDean.com
###
