Oregon Governor Neil Goldschmidt appointed him to fill the vacancy created when Bill Rutherford resigned from office.

In 1986, Tony Meeker ran for Congress against Democrat Les AuCoin in Oregon's first congressional district.

[2] After losing to AuCoin, Meeker returned to the State Senate to continue his fifth term representing citizens in portions of Yamhill and Marion counties.

Oregon State Treasurer Bill Rutherford announced he was stepping down to take a position in an investment firm in New York City.

[2] He made a second unsuccessful bid for U.S. Congress in 1992, losing to Elizabeth Furse.