The current Linfield campus safety director who was also the former McMinnville police chief is set to run for the Republican nomination for state house of representatives for Oregon District 24 this November.

Ron Noble will run for the District 24 seat as Rep. Jim Weidner announced he would not run for re-election.

District 24 encompasses McMinnville, Lafayette, Carlton and Yamhill, and stretches north into rural Washington County.

Noble served as police chief from 2006 to 2014 and has been at Linfield since 2014.

He will remain the Linfield Director of College Public Safety while campaigning and is hopeful that he can do both.

Noble notified the college of his intent to run last October.

Vice President John McKeegan said, “With no primary opponent this spring, it is our understanding that active campaigning will not begin until this fall, on weekends and after normal business hours. In the meantime, we do not anticipate that Linfield’s security will be affected.”

Noble said he sees this as a natural progression in his career. He has been in public service for three decades and has always been interested in politics.

He believes it is the “government’s main priority to provide a place for people to flourish.”

His main goal is to make certain that people live healthy and safe lives. Noble said in his voter’s pamphlet statement, “One of the primary functions of government is to provide a safe place for people to live, work and play. We need to ensure adequate, stable funding for public safety.”

Noble is married with four children, all of whom support his decision to run. He said, “I couldn’t do it if they weren’t behind me. Especially my wife, she is right there with me all the way.”

Current Rep. Weidner endorsed Noble for the nomination, “Ron (Noble) is a really good guy and would be awesome for House District 24. I think he’s the right man to take my place.”

District 24 is thought to be a safe Republican district, with registered Republicans outnumbering Democrats.

“I have the experience and skills that will bring people together and work toward collaborative solutions that will benefit the citizens of Oregon,” Noble said.

As it stands now, barring other candidates, Noble will face probable Democratic nominee Ken Moore in the election this November.