On the first weekend after the November election, Dave Hunt effectively became the Speaker of the House in Oregon. He was endorsed unanimously by his caucus, and because of his work to ensure electoral success, Democrats control 36 seats in the chamber -- a supermajority.

Hunt officially assumed the post in mid-January, promising to focus on the economy and continue to promote education, health care, and renewable energy. While lawmakers in Oregon must address an estimated $800 million budget deficit, he is confident that the legislature has the capacity to meet the challenge.

In one of his first acts as Speaker, Hunt announced a plan to freeze a scheduled increase in lawmaker salaries -- a move that trims $4.3 million from the budget of the legislative branch. Already this month, the legislature has passed a $175 million statewide stimulus package which focuses on school construction and infrastructure improvements.

Before becoming Speaker, Hunt was the Democratic Majority Leader, a post he held from 2006 until this year. He currently sits on the Board of Directors for the DLCC and is serving in his fourth term in the legislature.

Outside the legislature, Hunt is the executive director of the Columbia River Channel Coalition and the Association of Pacific Ports, which works to promote trade and job opportunities. From 2002 to 2003, he was the National President of American Baptist Churches USA -- the youngest person to head the organization in its history. He previously served as a Congressional staffer for a decade, working for three different members of the U.S. House of Representatives.