Chuck Thomsen

Charles William Thomsen (born January 20, 1957) is an American politician. From 2011 to 2023, he served as a Republican in the Oregon Senate representing District 26, which includes all of Hood River County and parts of eastern Multnomah County and northeastern Clackamas County.

Early life and career Thomsen was born on January 20, 1957, in Hood River, Oregon, and graduated from Hood River Valley High School, then attended Willamette University, where he graduated with a bachelor's degree in political science and economics. Thomsen returned to Hood River where he worked as an orchardist, raising pears and apples. His support and advocacy in animal-related measures saw him labeled as a 2011 "Top Dog" by the Oregon Humane Society.

On December 11, 2020, Thomsen and 11 other state Republican officials signed a letter requesting Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum join Texas and other states contesting the results of the 2020 presidential election in Texas v. Pennsylvania. Rosenblum announced she had filed in behalf of the defense, and against Texas, the day prior.

Recall effort

From June 20, 2019, all eleven Republican state senators for Oregon, including Thomsen, refused to show up for work at the Oregon State Capitol, instead going into hiding, some even fleeing the state. Their aim was to prevent a vote on a cap-and-trade proposal that would dramatically lower greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 to combat climate change. The Senate holds 30 seats, but 1 is vacant due to a death. Without the Republican senators, the remaining 18 Democratic state senators could not reach a quorum of 20 to hold a vote.

The walk-out led to one of Thomsen's Hood River constituents, Lara Dunn, to file a petition for a recall of his seat on March 5, 2020. “Senator Chuck Thomsen broke his promise to represent us in the Legislature,” Dunn wrote in a prospective petition. “He stopped going to work but still collected his taxpayer-funded salary and daily stipend. He must be recalled and replaced by someone who will show up and fight for our jobs, our schools, our healthcare and our future.” Thomsen's opponents pointed to comments Thomsen had made to Oregon Public Radio regarding his plans to head for warm weather if a walkout occurred, and that he'd packed polo shirts and shorts.

In order to force a recall election, Dunn's petition effort needed to gather 9,025 valid signatures by June 2, according to the Secretary of State's Office. The recall effort failed.

Personal life Thomsen owns Thomsen Orchards in Hood River, where he lives with his wife, Kristi. The couple has two grown daughters.