About Simon Hare
Local Roots. Trusted Experience
Former Commissioner. Budget Officer. Public Servant. Simon Hare brings a proven record of fiscal stewardship to our County and the Treasurer's office.
Rooted in Josephine County
Simon Gabriel Hare was born and raised in Josephine County. His Family has been here since 1958. He attended Oregon State University and later worked in Washington, D.C., before returning to Southern Oregon to build his career and raise his family here.
That decade away sharpened his understanding of how state and federal policy affects rural communities. When he came home, he brought that experience with him and put it to work for his neighbors.
Career & Public Service
Legislative Intern, U.S. Senator Gordon Smith
Simon began his government career in Washington, D.C., interning in U.S. Senator Gordon Smith's office. He subsequently joined the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association in Government Relations, working on state and federal legislation affecting rural electric cooperatives, including electricity policy, renewable portfolio standards, cap-and-trade proposals, and renewable energy.
Josephine County Commissioner
Hare served as a Josephine County Commissioner for eight years, engaging with virtually every major area of county government: budgets, public safety, land use, economic development, roads, natural resources, state and federal relationships, county property, public health, and administrative operations. In 2017 he was elected Chair of the Josephine County Board of Commissioners.
Chair, Josephine County Budget Committee
Official county records confirm that in 2016 Hare chaired the Josephine County Budget Committee, not merely voting on budgets but leading the committee responsible for shaping them. He participated actively in the county budgeting process throughout his entire tenure as commissioner.
Education
Illinois Valley High School
Cave Junction, Oregon - Class of 1997
Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Business
Oregon State University, 2002 — Class of 2002
Simon's studies at OSU spanned agricultural business, business administration, political science, and music. While there, he served as President of the university's Choral Department, overseeing budget restructuring and helping organize an international tour for approximately 50 singers to Eastern Europe.
National Board Service
Simon has served on boards at the national level, bringing a broader policy perspective to his local public service.
Consumer Federation of America
National Consumers League
Organizations Concerned for Rural Education
Washington Area State Relations Group
Ready to Make a Difference?
Join Simon's campaign and help bring real fiscal leadership to Josephine County.