Bill Hansell

Senator Hansell is serving in his third term in the Oregon state legislature representing District 29, which encompasses parts of seven counties located in Eastern Oregon. His district is rural and is the third largest in the state, the size of the State of Maryland.

Previously, Senator Hansell served as an Umatilla County Commissioner, being elected to eight consecutive terms. During his service he was President of the National Association of Counties, President of the Association of Oregon Counties, and served on various boards and committees.

In addition to his over forty years of electoral office, Senator Hansell has been active in his community and church. He has been a coach, youth group leader, 4-H and FFA supporter, member of two chambers of commerce, high school booster club member, and Sunday School teacher. He was selected as Athena Citizen of the Year for his many areas of community service.

Senator Hansell is a Graduate of the University of Oregon, and has earned a Harvard JFK School of Government Certificate. Hansell was born and raised in Athena where his family has farmed for four generations. He and his wife Margaret have been married 54 years and have raised six grown children and are the proud grandparents to eleven grandchildren.

During his legislative service, Senator Hansell has been active with CSG at the national and regional levels, including as a member of the CSG West Agriculture & Water Committee and the CSG Future of Work National Task Force. He is currently the chair of the CSG West Legislative Council on River Governance (LCRG), a program that brings together policymakers from the Columbia and Snake River basins. Senator Hansell was elected by the CSG West Executive Committee to serve as an officer of the organization, commencing as vice chair in 2022.