SALEM – House Republican Leader Mike McLane, of Powell Butte, is losing a deep legislative bench.

So far, six House Republicans have declared they won’t run for re-election. And all of them have been big players in recent legislative sessions.

“Giants in the Legislature usually move out one at a time … It’s rare a cadre of people who have been in leadership positions in (one caucus) all leave at the same time,” said Len Bergstein, who has been a lobbyist and a regular at the state Capitol since 1974.

It’s not uncommon that six members aren’t seeking re-election, but what makes it “unprecedented,” Bergstein said, is who is leaving.

“It’s an enormous brain drain,” he said.

Rep. Bruce Hanna, the former co-speaker of the House, who has served since 2004, is leaving. Hanna, who many assumed had his sights set on higher office, said his immediate plan is to focus on his family and business in his hometown of Roseburg.

“It’s hard to replace someone who has been a co-speaker; you have a perspective on a legislative session that’s unique,” Bergstein said.

And there’s Rep. Vicki Berger, R-Salem, who has served for a decade. During the 2011 session, Berger served as co-chair of the House Revenue Committee. When it comes to tax-related issues, caucus members look to her. She currently serves as House Republican Whip.

McLane called the two “high-profile, very energetic legislators who made a significant impact.”

“Their absence will be noted,” McLane said.

Rep. Kevin Cameron, R-Salem, a former House Republican leader, is departing to run for commissioner of Marion County. Rep. Dennis Richardson, of Central Point, who during the 2011 session helped craft the state’s budget and has been an outspoken critic of the Public Employees Retirement System, is running for governor.

Rep. Tim Freeman, R-Roseburg, who played a key role in the governor’s push to overhaul health care, is out, running for Douglas County commissioner. And, of course, there’s Bend’s Rep. Jason Conger, the current assistant Republican leader, who hopes to unseat U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley.

“For a guy like McLane who is new and relatively untested, except for the special session, (this) is a significant story,” Bergstein said, adding they are “colleagues who give support and advice and can work on the big issues.”

When it comes to negotiations, relationships in the capitol building can mean the difference between partisan gridlock or the passing of what was dubbed “the grand bargain,” a package of bills raising taxes and cutting pension systems.

“Grand bargain type of stuff doesn’t happen if you just met someone last week; you have to have confidence and trust in the building. … How a bill becomes a law is more than just … what’s in the textbooks. It’s a personal, interactive process where if you have been there awhile, you have relationships across the aisle and can find a sweet spot to build consensus,” he said.

McLane, who will be key in Republican efforts to recruit new members and try to take control of the House, said he’s not worried.

The shift, he said, could mean his caucus is a lot younger in the next cycle. A lot of candidates between the ages of 35 and 45 are eyeing positions, he noted.

“Our caucus will be younger, but that’s the natural flow of things,” he said. “It doesn’t alarm me. … I think that’s the way the state has run for the past 150-plus years, one generation steps up and serves and dominates for a period of time, and they hand it over to the next generation to step up.”

In 2011, the House was split evenly between Republicans and Democrats. But for the 2013 session, Democrats took control with a 34-26 advantage. McLane’s goal, of course, is to take control of the House. Several of the seats that are opening up, including Conger’s and Berger’s, are expected to be hotly contested.

“My goal is to find the smartest folks that have a broad range of experience,” McLane said. “Basically those who have the energy and intellect to come to Salem and hit the ground running. I’m not really targeting any particular background or gender, I’m basically trying to find the smartest and most talented people who have a desire to serve.”

Candidates have until March 11 to file for election.