Oregon 59th District State Representative John Huffman has formally resigned from the Legislature. The Dalles Republican had indicated earlier he was seeking a position with the U.S. Department of Agriculture and wouldn’t seek re-election. Huffman announced his resignation in an October 28 letter to Oregon Secretary of State Dennis Richardson. Huffman had been in Legislature for 10 years. Republican precinct committee persons in House District 59 must now nominate three to five candidates to fill the vacancy. County commissioners from Wasco, Wheeler, Jefferson and Deschutes counties will then vote to appoint one of those nominees to fill the remainder of Huffman’s term, which expires at the end of 2018. The process must take place within 30 days of the resignation date.