Summary
Current Position: US Representative of OR District 4 since 2023
Affiliation: Democrat
Former Position: Commissioner of Oregon’s Bureau of Labor and Industries from 2019 to 2023; Oregon House of Representatives from 2009 -2017
District: includes West Eugene, Junction City, and Cheshire
Upcoming Election:
Until 2023, she served as the commissioner of Oregon’s Bureau of Labor and Industries (BOLI).
In 1999, Hoyle and her family moved to Lane County, Oregon, where she joined the education advocacy group Stand for Children. Before serving in the Oregon legislature, she worked in sales and marketing for bicycle manufacturers Burley Design and Cane Creek, and served as legislative aide and policy analyst for State Senator Floyd Prozanski. She was also a director of the United Way of Lane County.
OnAir Post: Val Hoyle OR-04
News
About
Congresswoman Val Hoyle was born on Travis Air Force Base in Fairfield, California.
As the oldest sibling, you can always count on Val to tell you where she stands.
Growing up, Val got a front-row seat in community activism and service. Her father was a firefighter and labor leader, and her mom organized in support of the 1972 Equal Rights Amendment.
When Val was a teenager, she waited tables in high school and worked summers in a local bike shop. Val was also the first in her family to get a college degree. She began school at Bunker Hill Community College, and later graduated from Emmanuel College with a bachelor’s degree in political science and a concentration in international studies.
After graduation, Val spent 25 years working in the international bicycle industry in retail management, manufacturing distribution, and international trade.
Val was elected to the Oregon House of Representatives in 2010 representing West Eugene and Junction City, and eventually served as Majority Leader. She was later elected statewide to serve as Oregon’s Labor Commissioner, a nonpartisan role leading Oregon’s Bureau of Labor and Industries. In January 2023, Val was sworn into the 118th U.S. Congress representing Oregon’s Fourth Congressional District.
Val and her husband, Stephen, are both proud union members. They moved to Lane County over 25 years ago to raise their two children.
My lived experiences help me support those who don’t always have a seat at the table. My motto is never forget where you came from and never be afraid to do what’s right.
Personal
Full Name: Val Hoyle
Gender: Female
Family: Husband: Stephen; 2 Children: Deirdre, Aidan
Birth Date: 02/14/1964
Birth Place: Fairfield, CA
Home City: Springfield, OR
Religion: Catholic
Source: Vote Smart
Education
BA, Political Science, Emmanuel College, Boston, 1990 1992
Attended, Liberal Arts, Bunker Hill Community College, 1986 1988
Political Experience
Representative, United States House of Representatives, Oregon, District 4, 2023-present
Labor Commissioner, State of Oregon, 2019-present
Former Majority Leader, Oregon State House of Representatives
Candidate, United States House of Representatives, Oregon, District 4, 2022
Former Representative, Oregon State House of Representatives, District 14, 2009-2017
Candidate, Oregon Secretary of State, 2016
Appointed, Representative, Oregon State House of Representatives, 2009
Professional Experience
Director, 100% Access Initiative, United Way of Lane County
Former Employee, Sales/Marketing, Burley Design, Limited Liability Company (LLC)
Manager, International Sales/Marketing, Cane Creek, Limited Liability Company (LLC), 2004-2006
Offices
EUGENE
940 Willamette St
Eugene, OR 97401
By appointment only
Phone: (541) 465-6732
WASHINGTON, D.C.
1620 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: (202) 225-6416
Contact
Email: Government
Web Links
Politics
Source: none
Election Results
To learn more, go to this wikipedia section in this post.
Finances
Source: Vote Smart
Committees
Congresswoman Val Hoyle sits on the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and the House Committee on Natural Resources. The role of a House Committee is to consider legislation, investigate issues, and oversee agencies, programs, and activities relevant to each member’s district.
The House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure has jurisdiction over all modes of transportation. It works on national policy for highways, transit, aviation, rail, water infrastructure, pipeline safety, maritime transportation, and the United States Coast Guard. The Committee is one of the House’s largest committees both in terms of membership and jurisdiction.
Oregon’s Fourth Congressional District touches on all modes of transportation. There are eleven ports in the district: Alsea, Bandon, Brookings Harbor, Coos Bay, Coquille River, Gold Beach, Newport, Port Orford, Siuslaw, Toledo, and Umpqua. It is home to several scenic highways, from U.S. Highway 101 along the coast to HWY 20 over the peaks of the cascade mountain range.
Amtrak’s passenger rail and a Class One freight rail share the rail line through Willamette Valley, helping haul commercial goods from all over the Pacific Northwest. There are two commercial airports, one in Eugene and one in North Bend, that provide passenger service and several municipal airports that support general aviation, emergency services, and wildland firefighting resources. Throughout the district, you’ll find cities that run on transit systems and networks of pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure. The district also aligns with Coast Guard Sector North Bend, which maintains six lifeboat stations, five Dolphin Helicopters, two air facilities, a 110’ Island Class Cutter, and two seasonal search and rescue detachments.
The House Committee on Natural Resources oversees oceans, forests and public lands, national parks, western water, wildlife, energy and mineral resources, and the federal relationship with American Indian tribes throughout the United States.
Natural resources are central to the Fourth Congressional District, which is ecologically diverse and heavily forested. 85% of the district is forestland, with about half being managed by the federal government. Its coastline stretches for 250 miles and is renowned for its pristine and rugged beauty and thriving commercial and recreational fishing industry. Additionally, the district is home to several federally recognized Indigenous tribes including the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians; the Confederated Tribes of the Coos, Lower Umpqua, and Siuslaw Indians (CTCLUSI); the Coquille Indian Tribe; and the Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians.
Congresswoman Val Hoyle is a member of the following caucuses:
- Battleground Caucus
- Congressional Progressive Caucus
- Democratic Women’s Caucus
- Equality Caucus
- Labor Caucus
- Mental Health Caucus
- Native American Caucus
- New Democrat Coalition
- Oceans Caucus
- Pro-Choice Caucus
- Rural Health Caucus
- Steel Caucus
- Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition
- Task Force on Strengthening Democracy
- Voting Rights Caucus
New Legislation
Issues
Source: Government page
More Information
Services
Source: Government page
District
Source: Wikipedia
Oregon’s 4th congressional district represents the southern half of Oregon’s coastal counties, including Coos, Curry, Lincoln, Lane, and Benton counties, alongside the northwestern half of Douglas County. It is centered around the state’s two college towns, Eugene and Corvallis, homes to the University of Oregon and Oregon State University, respectively. Politically, the district leans slightly Democratic, due to the presence of Lane County, home to almost half of the district’s population, and similarly blue Benton and Lincoln Counties. Contrariwise, Douglas County is heavily Republican, as are to a lesser extent Coos and Curry. The district has been represented by Democrat Val Hoyle since 2023.
Wikipedia
Valerie Anne Hoyle (née Toomey; born February 14, 1964)[1] is an American politician serving as the U.S. representative for Oregon’s 4th congressional district since 2023. Until 2023, she served as the commissioner of Oregon’s Bureau of Labor and Industries (BOLI)[2] (commonly called the “Labor Commissioner”).
A Democrat, Hoyle formerly served in the Oregon House of Representatives, representing District 14, which includes West Eugene, Junction City, and Cheshire. She was appointed to the House in August 2009 and reelected to full terms in 2010, 2012 and 2014.
In December 2021, Hoyle announced her candidacy for the U.S. House of Representatives in 2022. The seat was open after incumbent Peter DeFazio decided not to run for reelection.[3]
Early life and education
Hoyle was born on Travis Air Force Base in Fairfield, California, in 1964. She grew up in Nashua, New Hampshire, where her father Dan Toomey was a firefighter, union official, and later a member of the New Hampshire House of Representatives.[4] She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from Emmanuel College in Boston.[5]
Early political career
In 1999, Hoyle and her family moved to Lane County, Oregon, where she joined the education advocacy group Stand for Children. Before serving in the Oregon legislature, she worked in sales and marketing for bicycle manufacturers Burley Design and Cane Creek, and served as legislative aide and policy analyst for State Senator Floyd Prozanski. She was also a director of the United Way of Lane County.[6]
Oregon House of Representatives
Hoyle was appointed to the Oregon House of Representatives in August 2009 to replace Chris Edwards, who was appointed to the Oregon State Senate.[7] In 2010, she was reelected to a full term, defeating Republican Dwight Coon and Independent Kevin Prociw.[8] On November 6, 2012, Hoyle again defeated Coon to win a second full term.[9]
Before the 2011 legislative session, Hoyle was elected assistant caucus leader of the Oregon House Democrats. During the 2011 legislative session, she was co-vice chair of the House Subcommittee on Higher Education, and served on the House Committees on Health Care and Business & Labor.[10] She also served on the Governor’s Health Care Transformation Team.
On November 15, 2012, after House Democrats selected Tina Kotek as speaker of the Oregon House, Hoyle was elected to lead the Oregon House Democrats as House majority leader for the 2013 Legislative Session.[11] During the 2013 legislative session, she co-chaired the House Task Force on O&C Counties and was vice chair of the House Committee on Rules.
Shortly before the 2014 legislative session, former State Representative Chris Garrett received an executive appointment to the Oregon Court of Appeals[12] and Hoyle was named chair of the House Committee on Rules. Hoyle also served as a legislative co-chair of the Oregon Elder Abuse Prevention Workgroup.
After Oregon Governor John Kitzhaber resigned in February 2015, elevating Kate Brown to the governorship, The Oregonian named Hoyle as a possible successor to Brown as Oregon Secretary of State.[13] Hoyle stepped down as majority leader in 2015 to run for Oregon secretary of state. In the 2016 Democratic primary, she came in second place, receiving 33.81% of the vote to Democratic nominee Brad Avakian’s 39.06%.[14]
Labor commissioner
In 2018, Hoyle ran to become Oregon’s 10th labor commissioner, a nonpartisan elected position.[15] She won the race outright in May, receiving 52% of the vote and winning 17 of 36 counties.[15][16] Former Tualatin Mayor Lou Ogden received 36% and Jack Howard, a La Grande attorney and former Union County Commissioner, received 12%.[16] The Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor and Industries serves a four-year term, has offices in Portland, Eugene, and Salem, oversees enforcement of wage and hour laws, including prevailing wage and civil rights enforcement, certifies apprenticeship programs, and provides employment law technical assistance for employers.[17]
U.S. House of Representatives
Elections
2022
On December 1, 2021, Hoyle announced her candidacy for Oregon’s 4th congressional district in the United States House of Representatives in 2022. The seat was held by fellow Democrat and New England native Peter DeFazio, who announced that he was not running for reelection after 18 terms.[3] Polling conducted by Public Policy Polling in March 2022 found Hoyle to be favored in the Democratic primary.[18] She benefited from more than $500,000 in spending by super PACs during the primary.[19] In November 2022 Hoyle was elected to the House.
Tenure
In the House, Hoyle generally voted with the majority of other Democratic members, but there were exceptions. On January 31, 2023, Hoyle was among seven Democrats to vote for H.R.497:Freedom for Health Care Workers Act, a bill which would lift COVID-19 vaccine mandates for healthcare workers.[20][21]
In 2023, Hoyle was among 56 Democrats to vote in favor of H.Con.Res. 21 which directed President Joe Biden to remove U.S. troops from Syria within 180 days.[22][23]
Hoyle was among the 46 Democrats who voted against final passage of the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023 in the House.[24]
Caucus memberships
Committee assignments
Personal life
Hoyle lives outside Springfield, Oregon, and is married with two adult children.[27]
Hoyle is Roman Catholic.[28]
Electoral history
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Val Hoyle | 11,336 | 50.4 | |
| Republican | Dwight Coon | 10,041 | 44.6 | |
| Independent | Kevin Prociw | 1,078 | 4.8 | |
| Write-in | 51 | 0.2 | ||
| Total votes | 22,506 | 100% | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Val Hoyle | 14,413 | 54.3 | |
| Republican | Dwight Coon | 11,309 | 42.6 | |
| Libertarian | Sharon A Mahler | 790 | 3.0 | |
| Write-in | 38 | 0.1 | ||
| Total votes | 26,550 | 100% | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Val Hoyle | 12,370 | 55.6 | |
| Republican | Kathy Lamberg | 9,769 | 43.9 | |
| Write-in | 94 | 0.4 | ||
| Total votes | 22,233 | 100% | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nonpartisan | Val Hoyle | 375,762 | 52.3 | |
| Nonpartisan | Lou Ogden | 253,977 | 35.3 | |
| Nonpartisan | Jack Howard | 86,477 | 12.0 | |
| Write-in | 2,520 | 0.4 | ||
| Total votes | 718,736 | 100% | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Val Hoyle | 171,372 | 50.5 | |
| Republican | Alek Skarlatos | 146,055 | 43.1 | |
| Independent | Levi Leatherberry | 9,052 | 2.7 | |
| Constitution | Jim Howard | 6,075 | 1.8 | |
| Pacific Green | Mike Beilstein | 6,033 | 1.8 | |
| Write-in | 490 | 0.1 | ||
| Total votes | 339,077 | 100% | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Val Hoyle | 195,862 | 51.7 | |
| Republican | Monique DeSpain | 166,430 | 43.9 | |
| Pacific Green | Justin Filip | 10,315 | 2.7 | |
| Libertarian | Dan Bahlen | 5,704 | 1.5 | |
| Write-in | 454 | 0.1 | ||
| Total votes | 378,765 | 100% | ||
References
- ^ “Val Hoyle”. Oregon Labor Law Conference. October 18, 2019. Archived from the original on February 12, 2022. Retrieved February 11, 2022.
- ^ “Oregon reaches milestone as new labor commissioner, Val Hoyle, sworn in”. January 7, 2019. Archived from the original on August 6, 2023. Retrieved March 5, 2018.
- ^ a b “Val Hoyle to run for Congress as DeFazio opts not to seek re-election in 2022”. KATU. Portland, OR. December 1, 2021. Archived from the original on December 2, 2021. Retrieved December 24, 2021.
- ^ Dean Shalhoup (January 21, 2023). “Nashua native Val Hoyle looks back on nearly 50 years in politics”. The Telegraph. Archived from the original on February 1, 2023. Retrieved October 24, 2023.
- ^ “Representative Val Hoyle”. VoteSmart.org. Archived from the original on October 31, 2010. Retrieved June 3, 2011.
- ^ Galbreath, David (April 8, 2022). “Who Will Replace DeFazio?”. The Torch. Archived from the original on August 31, 2022. Retrieved August 31, 2022.
- ^ “Commissioners appoint education advocate to House seat”. The Register Guard. September 24, 2009. Archived from the original on July 27, 2011. Retrieved September 24, 2009.
- ^ “Lane County Elections”. Lane County. Archived from the original on June 7, 2011. Retrieved June 2, 2011.
- ^ “Eugene Register-Guard”.
- ^ “Oregon State Legislature Committee Assignments”. Oregon State Legislature. Archived from the original on May 24, 2011. Retrieved June 1, 2011.
- ^ “The Oregonian”. November 16, 2012. Archived from the original on November 20, 2012. Retrieved November 26, 2012.
- ^ Gaston, Christian (December 24, 2013). “Oregon Rep. Chris Garrett gets judicial nod, triggering another appointment for the Oregon House”. OregonLive.com. Archived from the original on February 17, 2014. Retrieved April 25, 2014.
- ^ “Who will take Kate Brown’s place as Oregon secretary of state?”. The Oregonian. February 14, 2015. Archived from the original on February 15, 2015. Retrieved February 15, 2015.
- ^ “Val Hoyle – Ballotpedia”. Archived from the original on November 7, 2018. Retrieved March 5, 2018.
- ^ a b VanderHart, Dirk; Wilson, Conrad (May 14, 2018). “Oregon Voters Select Val Hoyle As New Labor Commissioner”. OPB. Archived from the original on October 2, 2019. Retrieved October 1, 2019.
- ^ a b c “May 15, 2018, Primary Election Abstract of Votes”. Oregon Secretary of State. Archived from the original on October 10, 2022. Retrieved October 31, 2023.
- ^ “Commissioner of Labor and Industries Val Hoyle”. Oregon Bluebook. Oregon Secretary of State. Archived from the original on November 9, 2022. Retrieved November 9, 2023.
- ^ Lehman, Chris (March 31, 2022). “Val Hoyle holds big lead among 4th District Democratic candidates for Congress, poll shows”. Oregon Live. Archived from the original on April 26, 2022. Retrieved April 26, 2022.
- ^ Lehman, Chris (May 18, 2022). “Hoyle wins Democratic nomination in Oregon’s 4th Congressional District”. Oregon Public Broadcasting. Archived from the original on August 31, 2022. Retrieved August 31, 2022.
- ^ “Seven Democrats join Republicans in vote to lift vaccine mandate for healthcare workers”. January 31, 2023. Archived from the original on March 19, 2023. Retrieved February 21, 2023.
- ^ “On Passage – H.R.497: To eliminate the COVID-19 vaccine mandate on”. August 12, 2015. Archived from the original on February 21, 2023. Retrieved February 21, 2023.
- ^ “H.Con.Res. 21: Directing the President, pursuant to section 5(c) of … — House Vote #136 — Mar 8, 2023”. Archived from the original on March 10, 2023. Retrieved March 10, 2023.
- ^ “House Votes Down Bill Directing Removal of Troops From Syria”. Associated Press. March 8, 2023. Archived from the original on April 4, 2023. Retrieved March 10, 2023.
- ^ Gans, Jared (May 31, 2023). “Republicans and Democrats who bucked party leaders by voting no”. The Hill. Archived from the original on June 6, 2023. Retrieved June 6, 2023.
- ^ “Endorsed Candidates”. NewDem Action Fund. Archived from the original on December 3, 2022. Retrieved December 23, 2022.
- ^ “Progressive Caucus”. Progressive Caucus. Archived from the original on December 3, 2022. Retrieved December 23, 2022.
- ^ “BOLI: Meet the Commissioner : About : State of Oregon”. www.oregon.gov. Archived from the original on May 20, 2022. Retrieved August 31, 2022.
- ^ “Religious affiliation of members of 118th Congress” (PDF). Pew Research Center. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 16, 2023.
- ^ “Official Results November 2, 2010”. Oregon Secretary of State. Archived from the original on August 31, 2023. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
- ^ “Official Results | November 6, 2012”. Oregon Secretary of State. Archived from the original on April 6, 2023. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
- ^ “November 4, 2014, General Election, Official Abstract of Votes”. Oregon Secretary of State. Archived from the original on April 6, 2023. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
- ^ “November 8, 2022, General Election Abstract of Votes” (PDF). Oregon Secretary of State. Archived (PDF) from the original on June 12, 2023. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
- ^ “November 5, 2024, General Election Abstract of Votes” (PDF). Oregon Secretary of State. Archived (PDF) from the original on December 12, 2024. Retrieved December 12, 2024.
External links
- Congresswoman Val Hoyle official U.S. House website
- Val Hoyle for Congress campaign website
- Biography at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
- Financial information (federal office) at the Federal Election Commission
- Legislation sponsored at the Library of Congress
- Profile at Vote Smart
- Appearances on C-SPAN
