He was elected to the municipal council of Rolvsøy in 1975. He became deputy mayor from 1980 to 1982, and mayor from 1982 to 1991. He remained a council member until Rolvsøy municipality ceased to exist. Øren instead concentrated on the position of county mayor (fylkesordfører) of Østfold, which he became following the 1991 election. He stepped down ahead of the 2007 election.