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Jeanne Atkins
Jeanne Atkins is a former Democratic Oregon secretary of state. She was announced as Gov. Kate Brown's (D) replacement on March 6, 2015, and served until the end of Brown's elected term in December 2016. Brown left the office in February 2015 to assume the governor's office following John Kitzhaber's resignation. Following her appointment, Atkins announced that she would not seek a full term in office in the 2016 election.[1][2]
Biography
Education
- B.A. in history, University of Washington (1971)
- J.D., University of Oregon School of Law (1978)[3]
Career
Atkins started her career as an attorney and worked for four years at the Women's Equity Action League. She later worked as a section manager for the Oregon Department of Human Services Office of Family Health. Atkins was a candidate for the Oregon House of Representatives in 1992 and 1994 and later worked as caucus director for state House Democrats from 2004 to 2007 and chief of staff to the Speaker of the House from 2007 to 2009. Atkins served as U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley's (D) state director from 2009 to January 2015.[1][3]
Political career
Oregon Secretary of State (2015-2016)
Atkins first assumed office on March 11, 2015. She fulfilled the remainder of Brown's four-year term, which lasted until December 2016. As an appointee to the position, Atkins was not the next in line for the governor's office. State Treasurer Ted Wheeler (D) would have assumed the governor's office if Brown resigns or dies in office.[1]
Response to appointment
Brown's appointment of Atkins received criticism from Kara Walker, the spokesperson for the state House Republican caucus. She suggested that Atkins' appointment was "indicative of a revolving door of political insiders and idealogues" during Brown's time as governor. Former state House Speaker Dave Hunt (D) countered that Atkins is "one of the least partisan and most goal-oriented, steady-as-she-goes leaders with whom I've served."[1]
Elections/Appointments
2016
- See also: Oregon Secretary of State election, 2016
Atkins declined to seek election to a full term as Oregon secretary of state in 2016.[1]
2015
Atkins was appointed to the office by Brown on March 6, 2015. She replaced interim secretary Robert Taylor on March 11.[1]
Personal
Note: Please contact us if the personal information below requires an update.
Atkins and her husband, John, have one adult child.[1]
Recent news
The link below is to the most recent stories in a Google news search for the terms Jeanne Atkins Oregon Secretary State. These results are automatically generated from Google. Ballotpedia does not curate or endorse these articles.
Contact information
Capitol Address:
Oregon Secretary of State
136 State Capitol
Salem, OR 97301
Phone: (503) 986-1523
Fax: (503) 986-1616
E-mail: oregon.sos@state.or.us
See also
| Oregon | State Executive Elections | News and Analysis |
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External links
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 The Oregonian, "Kate Brown finds a caretaker by appointing Jeanne Atkins as Oregon Secretary of State," March 6, 2015
- ↑ Oregon Secretary of State, "Meet the Secretary," accessed December 14, 2015
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 State of Oregon, "Jeanne Paquette Atkins," accessed March 11, 2015
| Political offices | ||
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| Preceded by Robert Taylor |
Oregon Secretary of State 2015-2016 |
Succeeded by Dennis Richardson (R) |
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