Bruce Starr

Bruce Starr is a Republican state senator representing District 12 in Oregon, which covers rural Polk and Yamhill counties. Born on January 12, 1969, in Portland, Oregon, he is a native of Hillsboro and is a devoted Christian who attends Living Hope Fellowship in Aloha with his father. He is married to Rebecca and has two adult children, Brooke and Brett.

Starr has dedicated over 20 years of his life to public service, fighting for conservative values. He began his career in local politics as a member of Washington County's GOP Central Committee, a Hillsboro precinct committee person, and later served on the Hillsboro City Council. Most recently, he served as a Dundee City Councilor before being elected to his current Senate position.

Education

Starr is a graduate of Hillsboro High School, where he completed his senior year through independent study to work on a U.S. Senate political campaign. He went on to attend Portland State University. During college, he worked as a legislative intern in the state senate, beginning his early involvement in government.

Political Experience

Starr served in the Oregon State House and Senate from 1999 to 2014, establishing himself as a transportation expert. He was first elected to the Senate in 2002, becoming part of the first father-son tandem in Oregon state history to serve together in the legislature, alongside his father, Charles Starr.

During his legislative tenure, Starr held several significant positions and achievements:

• Chaired the Business and Transportation Committee in the House
• Served as Vice Chair of the Transportation and Economic Development Committee in the Senate
• Was instrumental in the 1999 passage of the Oregon Transportation Investment Act
• Led the passage of yearly versions of the transportation bill during each session he served
• Championed the Jobs and Transportation Act in 2009, which funded the Newberg/Dundee Bypass

After stepping away from the legislature, Starr returned to the Capitol and quickly rose to prominence in his caucus. He serves as Senate Minority Leader and has worked on major legislation including HB 3991. Outside of politics, he has owned a construction business, worked for the Portland Business Alliance, and currently runs Cutting Edge NW, a firm that advises companies on public affairs strategies.