Ex-Santa Rosa Councilman Jack Tibbetts Seeks Oregon Senate Seat as Republican

Tibbetts' political evolution from moderate Democrat to conservative Republican surprises North Bay observers.

Mar. 29, 2026 at 2:00pm

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Jack Tibbetts, a former Santa Rosa City Councilman, is seeking the Republican nomination for an Oregon state Senate seat, marking a surprising ideological shift from his past as a moderate Democrat. Tibbetts, who served five years on the Santa Rosa council before resigning in 2021, is now running on a conservative platform that includes opposing sanctuary laws, abortion access, and gender-affirming care. He cites his experiences as a father, business owner, and resident of rural Oregon as driving his more right-leaning views.

Why it matters

Tibbetts' campaign represents a significant political transformation, as he moves from being a young, progressive advocate to embracing a conservative Republican agenda. This shift reflects the broader ideological divides within the Democratic party and the challenges faced by moderate voices. Tibbetts' campaign will test whether his new conservative positions resonate with voters in the rural Oregon district.

The details

Tibbetts, 36, first emerged in North Bay politics as a UC Berkeley student advocating for a statewide tax on oil companies. He later won a seat on the Santa Rosa City Council in 2016, where he often served as a swing vote between conservative and progressive blocs. However, Tibbetts says his views have evolved over time, particularly after becoming a father and business owner in Oregon. He now opposes many of the positions he once held, including support for immigrant-friendly policies and social safety net programs. Tibbetts is running for the Oregon Senate's 6th District, which covers rural communities across Lane and Linn counties.

  • Tibbetts served on the Santa Rosa City Council from 2016 to 2021.
  • Tibbetts relocated his family to Oregon in 2021.
  • Tibbetts announced his campaign for the Oregon Senate in January 2026.

The players

Jack Tibbetts

A former Santa Rosa City Councilman who is now running for the Oregon state Senate as a Republican, marking a significant ideological shift from his past as a moderate Democrat.

Chris Coursey

A Sonoma County Supervisor and former Santa Rosa City Council colleague of Tibbetts, who is surprised by Tibbetts' conservative turn.

Chris Rogers

A former Santa Rosa City Council member and mayor who served alongside Tibbetts, and believes Tibbetts may have felt constrained in expressing his true political views while on the council.

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What they’re saying

“I'm not surprised that Jack is still interested in politics. I'm not shocked that he's running as a Republican in a Republican district. But I am shocked at some of the language he's using.”

— Chris Coursey, Sonoma County Supervisor

“I always felt that Jack was a little bit more conservative than sometimes he allowed himself to be and so now if he's allowed to have the political positions he wanted to have the whole time, then I'm happy for him.”

— Chris Rogers, Former Santa Rosa City Council Member and Mayor

What’s next

The winner of the Republican primary on May 19 will face Democrat Sierrah Williams in the November general election for the Oregon Senate's 6th District.

The takeaway

Tibbetts' political transformation from a moderate Democrat to a conservative Republican highlights the ideological divides within the Democratic party and the challenges faced by those seeking to bridge the gap. His campaign will test whether his new right-leaning positions resonate with voters in the rural Oregon district, and whether he can effectively explain his past stances.