Jeanne Atkins
| Jeanne Atkins | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| 25th Secretary of State of Oregon | |
| Assumed office March 11, 2015 |
|
| Governor | Kate Brown |
| Preceded by | Robert Taylor (Acting) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1949/1950 (age 74–75) Bremerton, Washington |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse(s) | John |
| Alma mater | University of Washington, Seattle University of Oregon |
Jeanne Paquette Atkins (born 1949 – 1950) is an American politician. She is the 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]
Although the secretary of state is first in line to the governorship under the Oregon Constitution, because Atkins was appointed rather than elected, she is not part of the line of succession and therefore Treasurer Ted Wheeler is currently first in line to succeed the governor.[3]
Past 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 does 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]
Atkins will determine if the Independent Party of Oregon has enough voters to qualify for public financing for the party's primary election in 2016.[10]
Personal life
Atkins resides in Portland. She is married to John Atkins.[2] She is originally from Bremerton, Washington.[11][12]
References
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External links
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Secretary of State of Oregon 2015–present |
Incumbent |
