Jeanne Atkins

Jeanne Atkins
Chair of the Oregon Democratic Party
Assumed office
March 26, 2017
Preceded by Frank Dixon
25th Secretary of State of Oregon
In office
March 11, 2015 – January 2, 2017
Governor Kate Brown
Preceded by Kate Brown
Succeeded by Dennis Richardson
Personal details
Born 1949/1950 (age 68–69)
Bremerton, Washington, U.S.
Political party Democratic
Spouse(s) John Atkins
Education University of Washington,
Seattle (BA)
University of Oregon (JD)

Jeanne Paquette Atkins (born 1949/1950) is an American politician who was the 25th Secretary of State of Oregon, having been appointed on March 6, 2015, by Governor Kate Brown following Brown's ascension to the state's highest office.[1][2] Atkins is a member of the Democratic Party.[1][3] She did not run for a full term as Secretary of State and later became state Democratic Party chair.

Early career

Atkins ran unsuccessfully for a seat in the Oregon House of Representatives twice, in 1992 and 1994. From 1998 until 2004, she was a division director for reproductive and women's health for the Oregon Department of Human Services. Atkins also worked as staff director for Democrats in the Oregon Senate from 1993 to 1994. Between 2004 and 2009, she served as Chief of Staff for the Oregon House Democratic Caucus, then-House Speaker Jeff Merkley, and then-House Speaker Dave Hunt. In the private and nonprofit sector, she has worked for Planned Parenthood, the United Way of America, and the Women's Equity Action League.[4]

On August 24, 2009, Atkins was appointed as United States Senator Jeff Merkley's State Director, stating "I'm thrilled that Jeanne has agreed lead my Oregon staff as my new State Director and bring her superb team management abilities to this post." She assumed the office on October 5, 2009.[2][5] She retired from the post in January 2015.[6] Upon her appointment as Secretary of State, Merkley stated, "Governor Brown couldn't have picked a more dedicated and experienced public servant to become our next Secretary of State. Jeanne Atkins is a true Oregon gem and supremely qualified. I've personally witnessed her strong leadership in her roles as my Chief of Staff, when I served as Speaker of the Oregon House, and as Oregon State Director of my Senate team. I know she will do a wonderful job as Oregon's Secretary of State."[7]

Oregon Secretary of State

Atkins was reportedly one of the first people Kate Brown considered for the position of secretary of state after Brown became governor in February 2015. She said after her appointment that she did not plan to run for a full term in 2016.[1]

Atkins was appointed on March 6, 2015 and formally sworn in on March 11, 2015 at 1:00 PM.[8][9]

Democratic Party chair

In May 2017, Atkins was elected chair of the Democratic Party of Oregon, defeating Larry Taylor.[10][11]

Personal life

Atkins resides in Cedar Hills, Oregon. She is married to John Atkins.[2] She is originally from Bremerton, Washington.[12][13]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 Mapes, Jeff (March 6, 2015). "Kate Brown appoints veteran government aide Jeanne Atkins to be secretary of state". The Oregonian. Retrieved March 6, 2015.
  2. 1 2 3 Wong, Peter (March 6, 2015). "Jeanne Atkins appointed Oregon secretary of state". East Oregonian. Retrieved March 6, 2015.
  3. ↑ Lehman, Chris (March 6, 2015). "Jeanne Atkins Named Oregon's Next Secretary Of State". KUOW. Retrieved March 6, 2015.
  4. ↑ Hoffman, Hannah (March 6, 2015). "Gov. Kate Brown appoints Jeanne Atkins as Secretary of State". Statesman Journal. Retrieved March 6, 2015.
  5. ↑ "Press Release Merkley announces new state director". Office of Senator Jeff Merkley. August 24, 2009. Retrieved December 20, 2015.
  6. ↑ Mapes, Jeff (March 6, 2015). "Kate Brown finds a caretaker by appointing Jeanne Atkins as Oregon secretary of state". OregonLive. Retrieved December 20, 2015.
  7. ↑ "Merkley Statement on Jeanne Atkins Appointment to Oregon's Secretary of State". Office of Senator Jeff Merkley. March 6, 2015. Retrieved December 20, 2015.
  8. ↑ Kullgren, Ian (March 11, 2015). "Jeanne Atkins sworn in as Oregon Secretary of State". The Oregonian. Retrieved March 11, 2015.
  9. ↑ Hoffman, Hannah (March 6, 2015). "Jeanne Atkins picked as Oregon secretary of state". KGW News. Retrieved December 20, 2015.
  10. ↑ Friedman, Gordon R. (March 29, 2017). "Oregon Democrats choose Jeanne Atkins, former secretary of state, to lead party". The Oregonian. Retrieved August 20, 2017.
  11. ↑ Mapes, Jeff (March 27, 2017). "Former Secretary Of State Wins Contested Race To Lead Oregon's Democratic Party". Oregon Public Broadcasting. Retrieved August 20, 2017.
  12. ↑ "Anne Elizabeth McDougald Paquette". The Oregonian. July 7, 2013. Retrieved March 6, 2015.
  13. ↑ "Anniversary: Paquette 70 Years". Kitsap Sun. July 4, 2010. Archived from the original on April 2, 2015. Retrieved March 6, 2015.
Political offices
Preceded by
Robert Taylor
Acting		 Secretary of State of Oregon
2015–2017		 Succeeded by
Dennis Richardson
Party political offices
Preceded by
Frank Dixon		 Chair of the Oregon Democratic Party
2017–present		 Incumbent
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