Marion County appoints Denyc Boles for Oregon's HD 19

People living in House District 19 have a new state representative and her name is Denyc Boles.

She was appointed to the position Wednesday from a panel of three nominees by a unanimous vote of the Marion County commissioners.

"I'm actually a little overwhelmed," Boles said after the appointment. "I think I bring the right set of skills to continue a high level of service and responsiveness."

Boles won't serve during a legislative session, so her job as representative will center around constituent services and serving on interim legislative committees.

Although she's never held an elected position, Boles spent the past nine years working as Kevin Cameron's chief of staff.

Cameron, a Republican, was the representative for House District 19 until June 2 when he resigned to take an appointment as a Marion County commissioner.

"I think Denyc has been there, knows the people and can walk right in," Commissioner Sam Brentano said. "She is the person who knows the people and can get things done in these last six months."

Boles told the commissioners during her interview Monday that this was the right time in her life to serve as an interim representative, but it was not the right time to run for office.

She's supporting Republican Jodi Hack this November in her bid for the seat.

Hack was unable to be nominated for the appointment because she had not lived in the district for one year when the seat became available. She will be eligible for the seat by the November election.