Eugene, OR. – Senate President Pro Tempore James Manning, Jr. filed to run in the 2026 Democratic primary for Senate District 7 to secure a third full term on September 11, 2025. Senator Manning announced his campaign on his website.
James joined the U.S. Army in 1983 and spent over 24 years serving our nation. During that service he was the Chief Administrator Supervisor United States Army Southern Command, an U.S. Army Assistant Inspector General assessing equipment and staff to ensure they are able to perform effectively. He also served in the Garrison Community Office overseeing military installation in Panama & Puerto Rico that supported 65,000 troops at the time.
After completing his distinguished military service, James and his late wife, Lawanda, moved to Eugene in 2007. He immediately found ways to begin giving back to the local community, assisting local nonprofits and serving in local government. James has also served the public as the chair of the Oregon Commission on Black Affairs, a member of the Bethel School District Budget Committee, and the City of Eugene Police Commission. He co-founded a nonprofit foundation that provides financial support and learning tools for students from low-income and historically underserved communities to attend college.
AdvertisementsJames has served as a State Senator since 2016. He represents Eugene, Elmira, and Veneta. In the Oregon Senate, he has led efforts to provide good jobs and workforce training through public construction projects, transform our healthcare system to reduce costs and expand access, and stop gun violence. He has also championed strategies to make housing more affordable, help those experiencing homelessness, and expand access to addiction treatment and mental health care.
James is also a former adjunct professor at Brandman University (now UMass Global). He is an active athlete and plays chess. He has six sons and eight grandchildren.
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