15. A month after the legislative session ended, Strayer was re-appointed to the governing board of the state's department of geology and mineral industries. State senator (1942–1946) In 1942, Strayer filed for re-election. Again, he had no competition in either the Democratic primary of the general election. Because he was unopposed for re-election, Strayer actively campaigned for Democratic Congressman (and former governor) Walter M. Pierce, who represented Oregon's 2nd congressional district. The 1943 legislative session was unusual. The session opened on January 11. While there were only three Democrats in the Oregon State Senate that session, the chamber could not agree on a senate president. As the senior member of the senate, Strayer presided over the leadership debate. There were two Republicans competing for the senate president position. Senator William H. Steiwer of Fossil had 15 supporters, while Senator Dorothy McCullough Lee of Portland also had 15 supporters. As a result, there was a succession of 44 tie votes, before Lee withdrew from the race on condition that committee appointments be made jointly with Strayer breaking the tie if Steiwer and Lee disagreed on any specific appointment. Steiwer was elected senate president on the 45th ballot. Together Steiwer and Lee made the committee appointments as agreed. Strayer was appointed chairman of the engrossed and enrolled bills committee. He was also given a seat on the ways and means, rules, mining, resolutions, and revision of laws committees. The session finished on March 10. Since he was at the middle of his four-year term, Strayer did not have to run for re-election in 1944. The 1945 legislative session began on January 8 with Strayer once again serving in the senate's small Democratic minority. During the session, he served as chairman of engrossed and enrolled bills committee and vice chairman of rules committee. He was also a member of ways and means, mining, resolutions, and revision of laws committees. Near the end of the legislature session, Strayer was re-appointed as chairman of the state department of geology and mineral industries oversight board, a position he had held since the board was established. The session lasted almost ten weeks, ending on March 17. In early 1946, Strayer filed for re-election to his senate seat in District 23. Once again, he was unopposed in the Democratic primary, and he won the Republican primary with write-in votes. As a result, he was unopposed in the general