SALEM - Fred Girod was appointed Monday night to fill the seat for Oregon Senate District 9, vacated recently by Senator Roger Beyer (R-Molalla).

Girod's appointment may have a domino effect. He gives up his position representing Oregon House District 17. County Commissioner Cliff Wooten has expressed an interest in it. If he's appointed, Lebanon area resident Will Tucker would like to fill the resulting open seat on the county commission.

"Fred Girod is going to be a strong voice in the State Senate," said Republican leader Ted Ferrioli (R-John Day). "He will be able to hit the ground running and get to work on the issues that matter to Oregonians. Senate Republicans are excited to welcome him to our caucus."

Commissioners from Clackamas, Linn and Marion Counties met Monday night to appoint a new state senator. The commissioners unanimously chose Girod from a slate of three candidates. Girod will be officially sworn in on Wednesday.

Girod was one of several hopefuls for Beyer's position who were considered during an Oregon Republican Party nominating convention on Saturday in Silverton. Three were chosen by precinct committee people from Clackamas, Linn and Marion counties for the county commissioners to make the final choice. The other two were former state representative Tootie Smith of Mulino and Mike Shrock of Aurora.

"I am honored to continue looking out for rural Oregon in the State Senate," said Girod. "I hope to continue efforts to add more state police to our highways and bring common sense to how we manage our state and national forest lands."

Girod has owned a dentist practice in Stayton for 26 years. He graduated from Stayton High school and Oregon State University, earned his DMD from Oregon Health Sciences University and received a Masters of Public Administration from Harvard University. Girod was elected to the House of Representatives in 2006.