Oregon Sen. Aaron Woods remembered as ‘courageous’ lawmaker who bridged divides

The Oregon Senate on Thursday commemorated the late Sen. Aaron Woods, who recently died of complications from cancer.

Members of Woods’s family, who traveled from Illinois and Colorado, sat at his desk on the Senate floor as lawmakers remembered him as a dedicated statesman known for his humor, his love of food and his passion for Oregonians.

“We’re all going to pass,” said Sen. Kate Lieber, her voice breaking as she recalled speaking with Woods about their shared experiences facing cancer and enduring chemotherapy. “But he showed us how to do it in a way that was courageous.”

Lawmakers spent roughly an hour Thursday speaking about Woods’s life and service. Some dotted their eyes with tissue. Others embraced and patted each other’s shoulders.

Sen. Daniel Bonham, R-The Dalles, read a passage from a Bible he keeps on his desk. Sen. Mark Meek, D-Gladstone, sang “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” a hymn that has long served as a national anthem among Black Americans.

“I considered him my older brother,” said Sen. Lew Frederick, a Portland Democrat.

A U.S. Army veteran from Chicago, Woods worked as a tech executive and is survived by five adult children. Self-described as a political centrist, Woods brought levity and wisdom to the arduous work of lawmaking. Sen. James Manning, D-Eugene, spoke of Woods’s “strut” as he crossed the senate floor, prompting Manning, a fellow veteran, to greet him: “Wassup player?”

“He looked at me and said, ‘Oh man, oh you crazy,’” Manning said, chuckling. “He had a sense of humor, which we all do. Sometimes there’s nothing wrong with having a sense of humor. There’s too much hurt in the world today.”

Though he died during his first term in office, lawmakers said the 75-year-old Wilsonville Democrat made a significant impact on the chamber, sometimes providing the deciding vote for whether a bill advances. As political polarization grows nationwide, senators said Woods often worked across the aisle, building relationships with his Republican colleagues.

“Aaron was one of the strongest men I knew,” said Sen. David Brock Smith, R-Port Orford. He spoke of Woods’s knowledge of the importance of port jobs in Brock Smith’s district along the southwest Oregon coast, and the ongoing struggles of generational poverty among residents there. “He wanted to know everything there is about you and why you care about what you care about.”

During his speech, Sen. Mike McLane, R-Powell Butte, told Woods’s family: “I didn’t have a lot in common with your dad.” The two lawmakers sat on opposite sides of the room and were from opposing parties. McLane grew up in a small rural town, while Woods was from a big city.

But one day, over a meal at Brock Smith’s home, McLane said Woods approached him, smiling. The two found common ground, exchanging stories about their children and their “awful” Army instructors during boot camp.

“In that little act, he bridged divides: urban, rural, race, political parties, political views,” said McLane, a colonel in the Oregon Air National Guard. “When we got up from the table, your dad had shown me that I had a friend. I’ve lost both my parents. And it’s hard. But remember that his legacy, even in that meal with me, is what you carry forward.”

The vacancy left by Woods’s death will be filled in the coming weeks. Democratic party officials are set to meet in Wilsonville on May 4 to nominate between three and five people to finish out his term. The ultimate decision will be up to commissioners in Clackamas, Washington and Yamhill counties, which all contain pieces of Senate District 13.

At least one top-tier candidate for that position says he’s not interested. House Majority Leader Ben Bowman, D-Tigard, whose district coincides with a portion of Woods’s, told OPB this week he will remain in the House.

“I trust the [precinct committee people] and county commissioners to pick someone who will represent our community effectively — and I look forward to supporting that person in their new role,” Bowman said.

State Rep. Courtney Neron, a Wilsonville Democrat whose district also aligns with Woods’s, was less definitive.

“The news is very fresh in the building, and we are still grieving,” Neron said in a text message. “That said, I know the process will need to move quickly. You can anticipate an announcement from me in the near future.”

As of Thursday morning, the Democratic Party of Oregon listed one candidate vying for the vacant seat, a Wilsonville energy consultant named Dave Backen.

All week, lawmakers have been debating bills that are receiving their third readings in the chamber, having recently passed the halfway mark of this year’s legislative session. With many bills to go, the Senate adjourned on Thursday, without voting on any legislation, to spend time with Woods’s family.

But before that, Senate President Rob Wagner said that Woods’s legacy would remain part of the Legislature, his name engraved into brass name plates on the sides of the chamber desks, alongside the names of other lawmakers who have died.

“You will forever see the name of state senator Aaron Woods,” said Wagner.

Then, members of the Senate stood for a moment of silence. They remained standing as Woods’s family left the room, some of them in tears.

OPB Reporter Dirk VanderHart contributed reporting.