Oregon Senate Majority Leader Kayse Jama will step down from the Democratic caucus’s top post after the November election, his office announced Thursday. He plans to remain a senator and is running unopposed to represent parts of east Portland and Multnomah and Clackamas counties. Jama, a Democrat, has held the leadership role since 2024. His office did not say why he decided not to seek another term. “I am deeply grateful for the trust placed in me by my peers over the past two years,” Jama said in a statement. He added that he intends to work with colleagues during the 2027 legislative session to advance solutions for Oregonians. The 18-member Senate Democratic caucus is set to elect its next full leadership team on Nov. 13. It was not immediately clear whether another senator had expressed interest in succeeding Jama or challenging Senate President Rob Wagner. A refugee from Somalia and nonprofit founder, Jama was appointed to the Senate in 2021. He became Oregon’s first Muslim Senate majority leader in November 2024 and previously chaired the Senate committee on housing. Wagner, a Democrat from Lake Oswego, praised Jama’s leadership, saying he had served Oregonians with compassion, dignity and respect. Jama helped guide the Democratic agenda through the past two legislative sessions and raised money for the party as it seeks to maintain or expand its majorities in both chambers in November.