One in four elected Oregon lawmakers pays a family member to be on their staff. The price tag for hiring spouses, children or in-laws is more than $547,000 so far this year, according to state salary data.

How did we get here? See our full investigation for an in-depth look at nepotism in the Oregon Legislature.

Below, we present a list of lawmakers who paid a family member as an aide during the 2017 legislative session. Note: Salaries shown for this year represent pay from Jan.-July 2017.

-- Gordon R. Friedman

GFriedman@Oregonian.com, @GordonRFriedman

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(Gordon Friedman/Staff)

Sen. Brian Boquist, R-Dallas

Staff: Peggy Boquist

Relationship: Wife

Pay this year: $31,090

Pay last year: $10,205

Response: Did not respond to email seeking comment.

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Michael Lloyd

Rep. Sal Esquivel, R-Medford

Staff: Jan Esquivel

Relationship: Wife

Pay this year: $34,313

Pay last year: $51,537

Response: Did not respond to email seeking comment.

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Michael Lloyd

Sen. Fred Girod, R-Stayton

Staff: Lori Girod

Relationship: Wife

Pay this year: $38,101

Pay last year: $49,050

Response: Did not respond to email seeking comment.

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Stephanie Yao Long

Rep. Chris Gorsek, D-Troutdale

Staff: Anne Gorsek

Relationship: Daughter

Pay this year: $13,315

Pay last year: N/A

Response: "Most legislative offices bring on a second staffer to help manage the increased work load during the session. My daughter filled that role during the 2017 session by responding to questions and concerns from my constituents and helping manage the demands of my legislative work."

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Stephanie Yao Long

Rep. Mitch Greenlick, D-Portland

Staff: Harriet Greenlick

Relationship: Wife

Pay this year: $22,486

Pay last year: $19,342

Response: “She’s the best secretary I ever met. ... She works full time during the session and half time the rest of the time."

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Stephanie Yao Long

Rep. Cedric Hayden, R-Roseburg

Staff: Cedric Hayden, Sr.

Relationship: Father

Pay this year: $11,659

Pay last year: $19,428

Response: “He has the most qualifying resume of any staff member in the building. ... Going to the Legislature with my father was on my bucket list. If there are political consequences I will take them with a smile as I recall the joys I have had with dad.”

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Timothy J. Gonzalez

Rep. Dallas Heard, R-Roseburg

Staff: Hannah Heard

Relationship: Wife

Pay this year: $30,313

Pay last year: $47,448

Response: Did not respond to email seeking comment.

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Michael Lloyd

Rep. Paul Holvey, D-Eugene

Staff: Terrie Pearson Holvey

Relationship: Wife

Pay this year: $8,278

Pay last year: $12,483

Response: Did not respond to email seeking comment.

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Jonathan J. Cooper/AP

Rep. John Huffman, R-The Dalles

Staff: Korina Huffman

Relationship: Wife

Pay this year: $35,816

Pay last year: $50,875

Response: "Our office efficiency and constituent work went through the roof after she came on board. Lots of positive comments from constituents about working with Team Huffman!"

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Molly J. Smith

Rep. Bill Kennemer, R-Oregon City

Staff: Cherie McGinnis

Relationship: Wife

Pay this year: $34,672

Pay last year: $48,487

Response: "Cherie and I first began working together in 1986 when I was running for the state Senate. ... It’s been very beneficial to me in my service and, frankly, to my constituents."

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Stephanie Yao Long

Sen. Tim Knopp, R-Bend

Staff: Melissa Knopp and Daniel Knopp

Relationship: Wife and son

Pay this year: $1,833 and $13,967

Pay last year: $37,279 and $6,000

Response: Did not respond to email seeking comment.

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Photo courtesy: Dennis Linthicum campaign

Sen. Dennis Linthicum, R-Klamath Falls

Staff: Diane Linthicum

Relationship: Wife

Pay this year: $36,000

Pay last year: N/A

Response: Did not respond to email seeking comment.

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Sen. James Manning, D-Eugene

Staff: Lawanda Manning

Relationship: Wife

Pay this year: $24,200

Pay last year: N/A

Response: Did not respond to email seeking comment.

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Stephanie Yao Long

House Republican Leader Mike McLane, R-Powell Butte

Staff: Holly McLane

Relationship: Wife

Pay this year: $7,772

Pay last year: $12,000

Response: Did not respond to email seeking comment.

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Michael Lloyd

Sen. Rod Monroe, D-Portland

Staff: Billie Monroe

Relationship: Wife

Pay this year: $28,192

Pay last year: $45,456

Response: Did not respond to email seeking comment.

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Michael Lloyd

Rep. Andy Olson, R-Albany

Staff: Abby Weekly

Relationship: Daughter

Pay this year: $34,977

Pay last year: $43,305

Response: Did not respond to email seeking comment.

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Randy L. Rasmussen

Rep. Julie Parrish, R-West Linn

Staff: Mark Parrish

Relationship: Husband

Pay this year: $19,431

Pay last year: $5,000

Response: “Mark has a West Point degree and he’s been an inspector general in the military. You can’t buy that kind of expertise."

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Don Ryan

Sen. Floyd Prozanski, D-Eugene

Staff: Susan Prozanski

Relationship: Wife

Pay this year: $4,863

Pay last year: $7,200

Response: Did not respond to email seeking comment.

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Rep. E. Werner Reschke, R-Klamath Falls

Staff: Ginny Reschke

Relationship: Wife

Pay this year: $36,976

Pay last year: N/A

Response: Did not respond to email seeking comment.

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Rep. Duane Stark, R-Grants Pass

Staff: Dusti Marie Stark

Relationship: Wife

Pay this year: $18,704

Pay last year: $13,521

Response: "Because of the distance and the pay I don’t know how long my family would be able to afford to do it [without a family member on staff]. ... I wouldn’t do the job if I had to leave my family for six months.”

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Brent Wojahn

Sen. Chuck Thomsen, R-Hood River

Staff: Mallory Thomsen

Relationship: Daughter

Pay this year: $10,500

Pay last year: $18,000

Response: "My daughter works for me answering emails" and helps with scheduling.

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Michael Lloyd

Rep. Gene Whisnant, R-Sunriver

Staff: Josephine Whisnant

Relationship: Wife

Pay this year: $27,202

Pay last year: $26,560

Response: "I have served in the legislature for 14 years and my wife has worked for me for all 14 years in Salem and in district. ... She knows my district and the needs of citizens in the district better than anyone and is an invaluable and highly qualified employee."

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Sen. Jackie Winters, R-Salem

Staff: Pamela McClain

Relationship: Granddaughter

Pay this year: $23,318

Pay last year: $35,197

Response: Did not respond to email seeking comment.