Senate Majority Leader Kayse Jama will not seek another term leading caucus

As Senate Democrats begin to weigh who should lead their caucus heading into next year’s long legislative session, their current leader has taken his name out of the running.

Sen. Kayse Jama, D-Portland, made history as Senate majority leader and the first former refugee and Muslim American to serve in the Oregon State Senate, originally serving in the leadership position since two years ago in November 2024. After fleeing Somalia and arriving in Portland in 1998, he went on to advocate for access to social services and affordable housing.

The Portland-area lawmaker was appointed to the Oregon Senate in January 2021 and quickly ascended to the chairmanship of the Senate’s Committee on Housing and Development. He’s running unopposed for reelection to a four-year term. 

Jama’s move leaves open a key leadership role for Senate Democrats, as they’re expected to head into a long legislative session with a Democratic majority. 

Jama said Thursday that lawmakers have a major opportunity to “deliver for Oregonians” in the next legislative session and that he plans to work with his colleagues to do so. His office touted multiple legislative accomplishments during his leadership, including the passage of the POWER Act in 2025 aimed at making data centers pay more for straining the state’s utilities, investments in legal representation for immigrant communities and an earned income tax credit for low-income Oregonians. 

“Affordability and economic opportunity are crucial in the lives of my constituents and the lives of all Oregonians. We have an incredible team of Senate Democrats committed to finding solutions to these issues and more in the year ahead,” he said in a statement. “I will stay dedicated to these issues through my personal legislative work for my community, particularly around fair pay and workplace protections for some of the most vulnerable workers.” 

Senate Democrats will hold elections for the next full leadership team on Nov. 13. In a statement, Senate President Rob Wagner, D-Lake Oswego, commended Jama for leading the caucus “with compassion, dignity and respect, bringing his remarkable life story and experiences to his leadership style.”

“Senator Jama approached this role in the spirit of partnership and collaboration, and I have enjoyed working closely with him over the last two years,” Wagner said. “While he will not be seeking another term as majority leader after this election, we are all grateful that he will continue to serve and provide leadership in the Oregon State Senate.”