SALEM — The Oregon House broke its previous record for the number of women representatives, after the swearing-in of Rep. Christine Goodwin Wednesday, Aug. 25, brought the total number to 33 out of 60 members.

Goodwin, a Republican from Roseburg, is a former teacher and coach at Roseburg High School who has served on a variety of local boards and commissions including a recent interim appointment to the Douglas County Board of Commissioners, according to the House Republican caucus.

She will serve the remainder of former Rep. Gary Leif’s term.

Leif, who also was a Republican and from Roseburg, died in July just weeks after the end of the 2021 legislative session.

Goodwin was selected to fill out the term by commissioners in Josephine, Jackson and Douglas counties.

House District 2 touches all three counties.

Deputy Chief Clerk Obie Rutledge confirmed that 33 is the highest number of women to ever serve in the Oregon House, although the number has been climbing in recent years.

Chief Clerk Timothy G. Sekerak added in an email “the previous high water mark was 22 (women) in 2001, which ebbed down and up and was eventually reached again in 2018 and is currently being surpassed every year.”