Bill Bradbury
Encyclopedia
Bill Bradbury is an American politician from the U.S. state
of Oregon
. A native of Illinois
, he grew up in Chicago
and Pennsylvania
before moving to the West Coast where he worked in broadcast journalism before running for public office. Democrat
, he served as Oregon Secretary of State
from 1999 to 2009, and ran for Governor of Oregon in 2010. Bradbury previously served in the Oregon Legislature
from 1981 to 1995. He lives in Salem, Oregon
and Bandon, Oregon
.
, Illinois
in 1949, the third child of William and Lorraine Bradbury. He grew up in Chicago where his father was an associate professor of sociology at the University of Chicago
. In September, 1958, Bill’s mother and father were killed in an automobile accident in Montana
. Bill and his sister Kathy were injured, but survived, and moved to Swarthmore, Pennsylvania
to be raised by their aunt and uncle.
in 1967. He attended Antioch College
in Yellow Springs, Ohio
where he studied communications, and moved to Oregon in 1969 where he worked as a news reporter, director, and producer in Bandon, Eugene
, and Portland
.
, diagnosed in 1981.
Bradbury currently lives in Salem
and Bandon, Oregon
, with his wife Katy Eymann, whom he married in 1986. She is the daughter of Richard O. Eymann
, who served as Speaker of the Oregon House of Representatives in the 1970s. Bradbury has two adult daughters, Abby and Zoë, from a previous marriage, who still reside in Bandon as organic farmers.
in 1980. For fourteen years Bradbury served in the Oregon Legislature, representing districts on the southern Oregon Coast
. He was elected to the State Senate in 1984, where he was elected by his colleagues to serve in the leadership posts of Senate Majority Leader in 1986, and Senate President in 1993. During his time as President of the Senate, Jeff Golden
, noted Southern Oregon
activist, served as his Chief of Staff.
As a legislator, Bill focused on environmental protection and economic development. He worked to pass legislation to establish Small Business Development Centers at community college
s around the state, to develop the Salmon and Trout Enhancement Program (STEP), to develop a relief plan to assist displaced timber workers, and prevent offshore oil drilling off the Oregon Coast
.
Bradbury left the Oregon Legislature in 1995 and founded and became the executive director of For the Sake of the Salmon, a regional non-profit organization which sought to restore salmon stocks and watershed restoration.
, Governor John Kitzhaber
appointed Bradbury to be Oregon Secretary of State
in November 1999. He was elected to the office in 2000, and re-elected in 2004, serving for nine years. As the state’s second-highest-ranking constitutional officer, he was auditor of public accounts, chief elections officer, and manager of the state’s official legislative and executive records. He also chaired the Oregon State Land Board, which oversees management of state-owned lands, and was appointed by the Governor to chair the Oregon Sustainability Board
. As Secretary of State, Bradbury was a Superdelegate
for Barack Obama
at the 2008 Democratic National Convention
.
Following the passage of Measure 60
in 1998, Oregon moved to conduct all its elections by mail
. As Secretary of State, Bradbury implemented the system, the first of its kind in the nation, which has increased voter participation in Oregon and decreased vote fraud. He also increased the transparency of financial transactions in our elections by having the Secretary of State's website host ORESTAR, an electronic reporting system for campaign contributions and spending. Bill also took the lead in coordinating state agencies to create an online business registry in Oregon to reduce paperwork and filing fees.
Bradbury was the Democratic challenger to incumbent Senator Gordon H. Smith in the 2002 U.S. Senate election in Oregon
, but was defeated by a wide margin.
Since he left office, Bradbury has traveled the state giving over 200 presentations on climate change
and its effects on Oregon.
in 2010, but lost in the primary to former governor John Kitzhaber
. Bradbury had been endorsed by former Democratic National Committee
Chairman and Presidential candidate Howard Dean
; former Oregon Governor
Barbara Roberts
; former Vice President
Al Gore
; the Oregon Education Association
; the American Federation of Teachers-Oregon (AFT-OR); and the Oregon School Employees Association (OSEA).
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of Oregon
Oregon
Oregon is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. It is located on the Pacific coast, with Washington to the north, California to the south, Nevada on the southeast and Idaho to the east. The Columbia and Snake rivers delineate much of Oregon's northern and eastern...
. A native of Illinois
Illinois
Illinois is the fifth-most populous state of the United States of America, and is often noted for being a microcosm of the entire country. With Chicago in the northeast, small industrial cities and great agricultural productivity in central and northern Illinois, and natural resources like coal,...
, he grew up in Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
and Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
before moving to the West Coast where he worked in broadcast journalism before running for public office. Democrat
Democratic Party of Oregon
The Democratic Party of Oregon, based in Portland, is the official Oregon affiliate of the United States Democratic Party. It is recognized by the state of Oregon as a major political party, along with the Oregon Republican Party...
, he served as Oregon Secretary of State
Oregon Secretary of State
The Secretary of State of Oregon, an elected constitutional officer within the executive branch of government of the U.S. state of Oregon, is first in line of succession to the Governor. The duties of office are: auditor of public accounts, chief elections officer, and administrator of public...
from 1999 to 2009, and ran for Governor of Oregon in 2010. Bradbury previously served in the Oregon Legislature
Oregon Legislative Assembly
The Oregon Legislative Assembly is the state legislature for the U.S. state of Oregon. The Legislative Assembly is bicameral, consisting of an upper and lower house: the Senate, whose 30 members are elected to serve four-year terms; and the House of Representatives, with 60 members elected to...
from 1981 to 1995. He lives in Salem, Oregon
Salem, Oregon
Salem is the capital of the U.S. state of Oregon, and the county seat of Marion County. It is located in the center of the Willamette Valley alongside the Willamette River, which runs north through the city. The river forms the boundary between Marion and Polk counties, and the city neighborhood...
and Bandon, Oregon
Bandon, Oregon
- Economy :Like many communities on the Oregon coast, Bandon had significant fishing and timber industries, which were greatly diminished by the 1980s, though some remnants still exist. Bandon's current economy revolves around wood products, fishing, tourism, and agriculture...
.
Early life
Bradbury was born in ChicagoChicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
, Illinois
Illinois
Illinois is the fifth-most populous state of the United States of America, and is often noted for being a microcosm of the entire country. With Chicago in the northeast, small industrial cities and great agricultural productivity in central and northern Illinois, and natural resources like coal,...
in 1949, the third child of William and Lorraine Bradbury. He grew up in Chicago where his father was an associate professor of sociology at the University of Chicago
University of Chicago
The University of Chicago is a private research university in Chicago, Illinois, USA. It was founded by the American Baptist Education Society with a donation from oil magnate and philanthropist John D. Rockefeller and incorporated in 1890...
. In September, 1958, Bill’s mother and father were killed in an automobile accident in Montana
Montana
Montana is a state in the Western United States. The western third of Montana contains numerous mountain ranges. Smaller, "island ranges" are found in the central third of the state, for a total of 77 named ranges of the Rocky Mountains. This geographical fact is reflected in the state's name,...
. Bill and his sister Kathy were injured, but survived, and moved to Swarthmore, Pennsylvania
Swarthmore, Pennsylvania
Swarthmore is a borough in Delaware County, Pennsylvania, United States. Swarthmore was originally named Westdale in honor of noted painter Benjamin West, who was one of the early residents of the town. The name was changed to Swarthmore after the establishment of Swarthmore College...
to be raised by their aunt and uncle.
Education and early career
Bradbury graduated from the University of Chicago Laboratory High SchoolUniversity of Chicago Laboratory Schools
The University of Chicago Laboratory Schools is a private, co-educational day school in Chicago, Illinois. It is affiliated with the University of Chicago...
in 1967. He attended Antioch College
Antioch College
Antioch College is a private, independent liberal arts college in Yellow Springs, Ohio, United States. It was the founder and the flagship institution of the six-campus Antioch University system. Founded in 1852 by the Christian Connection, the college began operating in 1853 with politician and...
in Yellow Springs, Ohio
Yellow Springs, Ohio
Yellow Springs is a village in Greene County, Ohio, United States, and is the location of Antioch College and Antioch University Midwest. The population was 3,487 at the 2010 census...
where he studied communications, and moved to Oregon in 1969 where he worked as a news reporter, director, and producer in Bandon, Eugene
Eugene, Oregon
Eugene is the second largest city in the U.S. state of Oregon and the seat of Lane County. It is located at the south end of the Willamette Valley, at the confluence of the McKenzie and Willamette rivers, about east of the Oregon Coast.As of the 2010 U.S...
, and Portland
Portland, Oregon
Portland is a city located in the Pacific Northwest, near the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia rivers in the U.S. state of Oregon. As of the 2010 Census, it had a population of 583,776, making it the 29th most populous city in the United States...
.
Personal life
Bradbury copes with multiple sclerosisMultiple sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis is an inflammatory disease in which the fatty myelin sheaths around the axons of the brain and spinal cord are damaged, leading to demyelination and scarring as well as a broad spectrum of signs and symptoms...
, diagnosed in 1981.
Bradbury currently lives in Salem
Salem, Oregon
Salem is the capital of the U.S. state of Oregon, and the county seat of Marion County. It is located in the center of the Willamette Valley alongside the Willamette River, which runs north through the city. The river forms the boundary between Marion and Polk counties, and the city neighborhood...
and Bandon, Oregon
Bandon, Oregon
- Economy :Like many communities on the Oregon coast, Bandon had significant fishing and timber industries, which were greatly diminished by the 1980s, though some remnants still exist. Bandon's current economy revolves around wood products, fishing, tourism, and agriculture...
, with his wife Katy Eymann, whom he married in 1986. She is the daughter of Richard O. Eymann
Richard O. Eymann
Richard O. Eymann was an American businessman and politician in the state of Oregon. A native of Alberta, Canada, he served as an airman during World War II and then graduated from Dartmouth College...
, who served as Speaker of the Oregon House of Representatives in the 1970s. Bradbury has two adult daughters, Abby and Zoë, from a previous marriage, who still reside in Bandon as organic farmers.
State Representative (1981-1995)
Bradbury was first elected as a State Representative from Curry and southern Coos CountyCoos County, Oregon
-National protected areas:*Bandon Marsh National Wildlife Refuge*Oregon Islands National Wildlife Refuge *Siskiyou National Forest *Siuslaw National Forest - Incorporated cities:- Unincorporated communities and CDPs:-See also:...
in 1980. For fourteen years Bradbury served in the Oregon Legislature, representing districts on the southern Oregon Coast
Oregon Coast
The Oregon Coast is a region of the U.S. state of Oregon. It runs generally north-south along the Pacific Ocean, forming the western border of the state; the region is bounded to the east by the Oregon Coast Range. The Oregon Coast stretches approximately from the Columbia River in the north to...
. He was elected to the State Senate in 1984, where he was elected by his colleagues to serve in the leadership posts of Senate Majority Leader in 1986, and Senate President in 1993. During his time as President of the Senate, Jeff Golden
Jeff Golden
Jeffery Simon Golden is a political activist, radio personality, politician and author from Southern Oregon. His commentary and political leaning are progressive...
, noted Southern Oregon
Southern Oregon
Southern Oregon is a region of the U.S. state of Oregon south of Lane County and generally west of the Cascade Range, excluding the southern Oregon Coast. Counties include Douglas, Jackson, Klamath, and Josephine. It includes the Southern Oregon American Viticultural Area, which consists of the...
activist, served as his Chief of Staff.
As a legislator, Bill focused on environmental protection and economic development. He worked to pass legislation to establish Small Business Development Centers at community college
Community college
A community college is a type of educational institution. The term can have different meanings in different countries.-Australia:Community colleges carry on the tradition of adult education, which was established in Australia around mid 19th century when evening classes were held to help adults...
s around the state, to develop the Salmon and Trout Enhancement Program (STEP), to develop a relief plan to assist displaced timber workers, and prevent offshore oil drilling off the Oregon Coast
Oregon Coast
The Oregon Coast is a region of the U.S. state of Oregon. It runs generally north-south along the Pacific Ocean, forming the western border of the state; the region is bounded to the east by the Oregon Coast Range. The Oregon Coast stretches approximately from the Columbia River in the north to...
.
Bradbury left the Oregon Legislature in 1995 and founded and became the executive director of For the Sake of the Salmon, a regional non-profit organization which sought to restore salmon stocks and watershed restoration.
Secretary of State (1999-2009)
Following the resignation of Phil KeislingPhil Keisling
Phil Keisling is a politician and business executive in the U.S. state of Oregon. He served as Oregon Secretary of State from 1991 to 1999...
, Governor John Kitzhaber
John Kitzhaber
John Albert Kitzhaber is the 37th Governor of Oregon. He served as the 35th Governor of Oregon from 1995 to 2003 and became the first person to be elected to the office three times when he was re-elected to a non-consecutive third term in 2010...
appointed Bradbury to be Oregon Secretary of State
Oregon Secretary of State
The Secretary of State of Oregon, an elected constitutional officer within the executive branch of government of the U.S. state of Oregon, is first in line of succession to the Governor. The duties of office are: auditor of public accounts, chief elections officer, and administrator of public...
in November 1999. He was elected to the office in 2000, and re-elected in 2004, serving for nine years. As the state’s second-highest-ranking constitutional officer, he was auditor of public accounts, chief elections officer, and manager of the state’s official legislative and executive records. He also chaired the Oregon State Land Board, which oversees management of state-owned lands, and was appointed by the Governor to chair the Oregon Sustainability Board
Oregon Sustainability Board
The Oregon Sustainability Board is an advisory panel which examines current practices of individuals, business and government within the U.S. state of Oregon issuing reports, recommendations and proposals, and develops resources to promote policies and legislation to foster practices which meet...
. As Secretary of State, Bradbury was a Superdelegate
Superdelegate
"Superdelegate" is an informal term commonly used for some of the delegates to the Democratic National Convention, the presidential nominating convention of the United States Democratic Party....
for Barack Obama
Barack Obama
Barack Hussein Obama II is the 44th and current President of the United States. He is the first African American to hold the office. Obama previously served as a United States Senator from Illinois, from January 2005 until he resigned following his victory in the 2008 presidential election.Born in...
at the 2008 Democratic National Convention
2008 Democratic National Convention
The United States 2008 Democratic National Convention was a quadrennial presidential nominating convention of the Democratic Party where it adopted its national platform and officially nominated its candidates for President and Vice President of the United States. The convention was held in Denver,...
.
Following the passage of Measure 60
Oregon Ballot Measure 60 (1998)
The U.S. state of Oregon established vote-by-mail as the standard mechanism for voting with Ballot Measure 60, a citizen's initiative, in 1998. The measure made Oregon the first state in the United States to conduct its elections exclusively by mail...
in 1998, Oregon moved to conduct all its elections by mail
Postal voting
Postal voting describes the method of voting in an election whereby ballot papers are distributed or returned by post to electors, in contrast to electors voting in person at a polling station or electronically via an electronic voting system....
. As Secretary of State, Bradbury implemented the system, the first of its kind in the nation, which has increased voter participation in Oregon and decreased vote fraud. He also increased the transparency of financial transactions in our elections by having the Secretary of State's website host ORESTAR, an electronic reporting system for campaign contributions and spending. Bill also took the lead in coordinating state agencies to create an online business registry in Oregon to reduce paperwork and filing fees.
Bradbury was the Democratic challenger to incumbent Senator Gordon H. Smith in the 2002 U.S. Senate election in Oregon
United States Senate election in Oregon, 2002
The 2002 United States Senate election in Oregon was held on November 5, 2002. Incumbent Republican U.S. Senator Gordon Smith ran for re-election to a full second term.- Campaign :...
, but was defeated by a wide margin.
Since he left office, Bradbury has traveled the state giving over 200 presentations on climate change
Climate change
Climate change is a significant and lasting change in the statistical distribution of weather patterns over periods ranging from decades to millions of years. It may be a change in average weather conditions or the distribution of events around that average...
and its effects on Oregon.
2010 Oregon gubernatorial race
Bradbury was a candidate for the Democratic nomination for Governor of OregonGovernor of Oregon
The Governor of Oregon is the top executive of the government of the U.S. state of Oregon. The title of governor was also applied to the office of Oregon's chief executive during the provisional and U.S. territorial governments....
in 2010, but lost in the primary to former governor John Kitzhaber
John Kitzhaber
John Albert Kitzhaber is the 37th Governor of Oregon. He served as the 35th Governor of Oregon from 1995 to 2003 and became the first person to be elected to the office three times when he was re-elected to a non-consecutive third term in 2010...
. Bradbury had been endorsed by former Democratic National Committee
Democratic National Committee
The Democratic National Committee is the principal organization governing the United States Democratic Party on a day to day basis. While it is responsible for overseeing the process of writing a platform every four years, the DNC's central focus is on campaign and political activity in support...
Chairman and Presidential candidate Howard Dean
Howard Dean
Howard Brush Dean III is an American politician and physician from Vermont. He served six terms as the 79th Governor of Vermont and ran unsuccessfully for the 2004 Democratic presidential nomination. He was chairman of the Democratic National Committee from 2005 to 2009. Although his U.S...
; former Oregon Governor
Governor of Oregon
The Governor of Oregon is the top executive of the government of the U.S. state of Oregon. The title of governor was also applied to the office of Oregon's chief executive during the provisional and U.S. territorial governments....
Barbara Roberts
Barbara Roberts
Barbara Kay Roberts is an American politician from the state of Oregon. A native of the state, she served as the 34th Governor of Oregon from 1991 to 1995. She is the first and, to date, only woman to be elected to that office. A Democrat, Roberts was also the first woman to serve as majority...
; former Vice President
Vice President of the United States
The Vice President of the United States is the holder of a public office created by the United States Constitution. The Vice President, together with the President of the United States, is indirectly elected by the people, through the Electoral College, to a four-year term...
Al Gore
Al Gore
Albert Arnold "Al" Gore, Jr. served as the 45th Vice President of the United States , under President Bill Clinton. He was the Democratic Party's nominee for President in the 2000 U.S. presidential election....
; the Oregon Education Association
Oregon Education Association
The Oregon Education Association is the largest public education employees' union in the U.S. state of Oregon, representing more than 46,000 teachers and classified personnel. It has local affiliates in each of the state's 199 public school districts, and 8 community colleges...
; the American Federation of Teachers-Oregon (AFT-OR); and the Oregon School Employees Association (OSEA).
Electoral history
- 2010 Democratic Primary Governor
- John Kitzhaber, 242,545
- Bill Bradbury, 110,298
- Roger Obrist, 16,057
- Misc., 5,504
- 2004 General Election Secretary of State
- Bill Bradbury (D) (inc.), 1,000,052
- Betsy Close (R), 690,228
- Richard Morley (L), 56,678
- Misc., 3,871
- 2004 Democratic Primary Secretary of State
- Bill Bradbury, 311,602
- Paul Damian Wells, 41,196
- Misc., 1,839
- 2002 General Election United States Senate
- Gordon Smith (R) (inc.), 712,287
- Bill Bradbury (D), 501,898
- Lon Mabon (C), 21,703
- Dan Fitzgearld (L), 29,979
- Misc., 1,354
- 2002 Democratic Primary United States Senate
- Craig Hanson, 27,472
- Greg Haven, 13,995
- Bill Bradbury, 279,792
- Misc., 4,480
- 2000 General Election Secretary of State
- Bill Bradbury (D), 725,265
- Lloyd Marbet (G), 64,555
- Lynn SnodgrassLynn SnodgrassLynn Snodgrass is a politician in the U.S. state of Oregon. She served in the Oregon House of Representatives. A Republican, she was elected Speaker in 1998, succeeding fellow Republican Lynn Lundquist. At the time, many Republicans felt Lundquist was too accommodating to Democratic Governor John...
(R), 652,803 - Ed Pole (L), 24,286
- Misc., 926
- 2000 Democratic Primary Secretary of State
- Bill Bradbury, 290,870
- Misc., 4,513