Chuck Thomsen
Encyclopedia
Charles William "Chuck" Thomsen (born January 20, 1957) is a Republican
politician from the US state of Oregon
. He currently serves in the Oregon Senate, representing District 26, which includes all of Hood River County
and parts of eastern Multnomah County
and northeastern Clackamas County
.
and graduated from Hood River Valley High School
and then attended Willamette University
, where he graduated with a bachelor's degree in Political Science
and Economics. Thomsen returned to Hood River where he worked as an orchard
ist, raising pears and apples.
, who vacated the seat to run for Oregon State Treasurer
. In the 2010 general election
, Thomsen defeated Democrat
Brent Barton
53%–47%.
Oregon Republican Party
The Oregon Republican Party is the state affiliate of the United States Republican Party in Oregon, headquartered in Lake Oswego. The first state party convention was held in Salem on April 21, 1859, and its first nominee for Congress, Portland attorney David Logan...
politician from the US state 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...
. He currently serves in the Oregon Senate, representing District 26, which includes all of Hood River County
Hood River County, Oregon
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 20,411 people, 7,248 households, and 5,175 families residing in the county. The population density was 39 people per square mile . There were 7,818 housing units at an average density of 15 per square mile...
and parts of eastern Multnomah County
Multnomah County, Oregon
Multnomah County is one of 36 counties in the U.S. state of Oregon. Though smallest in area, it is the most populous as its county seat, Portland, is the state's largest city...
and northeastern Clackamas County
Clackamas County, Oregon
Clackamas County is a county located in the U.S. state of Oregon. The county was named after the Native Americans living in the area, the Clackamas Indians, who were part of the Chinookan people. As of 2010, the population was 375,992...
.
Early life and career
Thomsen was born in Hood River, OregonHood River, Oregon
The city of Hood River is the seat of Hood River County, Oregon, United States. It is a port on the Columbia River, and is named for the nearby Hood River. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 5,831...
and graduated from Hood River Valley High School
Hood River Valley High School
Hood River Valley High School is a public high school in Hood River, Oregon, United States. HRVHS was the result of the consolidation of two smaller high schools at the time of its founding.-School:...
and then attended Willamette University
Willamette University
Willamette University is an American private institution of higher learning located in Salem, Oregon. Founded in 1842, it is the oldest university in the Western United States. Willamette is a member of the Annapolis Group of colleges, and is made up of an undergraduate College of Liberal Arts and...
, where he graduated with a bachelor's degree in Political Science
Political science
Political Science is a social science discipline concerned with the study of the state, government and politics. Aristotle defined it as the study of the state. It deals extensively with the theory and practice of politics, and the analysis of political systems and political behavior...
and Economics. Thomsen returned to Hood River where he worked as an orchard
Orchard
An orchard is an intentional planting of trees or shrubs that is maintained for food production. Orchards comprise fruit or nut-producing trees which are grown for commercial production. Orchards are also sometimes a feature of large gardens, where they serve an aesthetic as well as a productive...
ist, raising pears and apples.
Political career
Thomsen was appointed to the Hood River Planning Commission in 1990, and then elected to the Hood River County Board of Commissioners in 1994. He was re-elected to the commission four times and served until 2010. In 2010, Thomsen ran for the Oregon State Senate seat hed by Rick MetsgerRick Metsger
Richard Thomas "Rick" Metsger is a Democratic politician in the US state of Oregon who served in the Oregon State Senate from 1999 to 2011. He and was also a candidate for Oregon Secretary of State and Oregon State Treasurer...
, who vacated the seat to run for Oregon State Treasurer
Oregon State Treasurer
The Oregon State Treasurer is a constitutional officer within the executive branch of the government of the U.S. state of Oregon, elected by statewide vote to serve a four year term. As chief financial officer for the state, the office holder heads the Oregon State Treasury, and with the Governor...
. In the 2010 general election
Oregon legislative elections, 2010
The 2010 elections for the Oregon Legislative Assembly determined the composition of both houses for the 76th Oregon Legislative Assembly. The Republican and Democratic primary elections were on May 18, 2010, and the general election was held on November 2, 2010...
, Thomsen defeated 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...
Brent Barton
Brent Barton
Brent Barton is a Democratic politician from the US state of Oregon. He was elected in 2008 to the Oregon House of Representatives, representing District 51, which encompasses parts of Clackamas County and Multnomah County, and includes all or part of the cities of Boring, Clackamas, Damascus,...
53%–47%.