Grattan Kerans
Encyclopedia
Grattan Kerans is an American politician from Oregon
. He was a member of the Oregon Legislative Assembly
in the House of Representatives
from 1974 through 1984, and in the Oregon State Senate
from 1986 to 1993. He held the position of Speaker of the House during the 1983 legislative session.
. There he was editor of the Oregon Daily Emerald
, the school's student newspaper from 1970 to 1971.
, and continued to serve through the 1983 legislature. During that session he was elected by the House as Speaker. Kerans gave up the seat in the House in 1984 to run for Oregon State Treasurer
. He was the Democratic nominee, but lost to Republican Bill Rutherford. He then worked one year as a lobbyist for the City of Eugene.
During the fall of 1987 he joined the Oregon for Dukakis State Steering Committee and was one of 25 members of the steering committee introduced by Kitty Dukakis at an airport press conference. At the Oregon Democratic State Convention in 1988 Kerans was one of ten Oregon Democrats elected as Dukakis delegates to the 1988 Democratic National Convention
in Atlanta, Georgia. Other prominent Oregon Democrats that were elected with Kerans were Secretary of State Barbara Roberts
, State Representative Tom Mason, and State Representative David Dix.
Kerans returned to the Oregon Legislative Assembly
after election to the Oregon State Senate
from Lane County in 1986. In 1987, he was the lone dissenter in a 24–1 vote appointing Richard G. Reiten as the new director of the state Economic Development Department. Kerans was concerned about Reiten's membership in the all-male all-men's Arlington Club, even though Reiten himself was open to the club allowing women to join. Kerans doubted the Arlington Club would change its policies stating, "This is, after all, a 124-year-old club and they haven't changed their minds yet." In 1990, Arlington Club opened its doors to women. Kerans won re-election in 1990, but resigned in 1993, before his term was over, to take a job as a lobbyist. He had failed to win election as Senate President during the 1993 session.
beginning in 1993 until 2004. He and his wife Janet retired to Tucson, Arizona in 2008.
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 was a member of the Oregon Legislative Assembly
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...
in the House of Representatives
Oregon House of Representatives
The Oregon House of Representatives is the lower house of the Oregon Legislative Assembly. There are 60 members of the House, representing 60 districts across the state, each with a population of 57,000. The House meets at the Oregon State Capitol in Salem....
from 1974 through 1984, and in the Oregon State Senate
Oregon State Senate
The Oregon State Senate is the upper house of the state-wide legislature for the U.S. state of Oregon. Along with the lower chamber Oregon House of Representatives it makes up the Oregon Legislative Assembly. There are 30 members of the State Senate, representing 30 districts across the state,...
from 1986 to 1993. He held the position of Speaker of the House during the 1983 legislative session.
Early years
Kerans was born in 1941 in Washington, D.C. He attended the University of OregonUniversity of Oregon
-Colleges and schools:The University of Oregon is organized into eight schools and colleges—six professional schools and colleges, an Arts and Sciences College and an Honors College.- School of Architecture and Allied Arts :...
. There he was editor of the Oregon Daily Emerald
Oregon Daily Emerald
The Oregon Daily Emerald is an independent daily newspaper published at the University of Oregon in Eugene, Oregon, United States. The paper, which has been published for more than 100 years, has trained many now-prominent writers and journalists and has made important contributions to journalism...
, the school's student newspaper from 1970 to 1971.
Political career
In 1974, he won election to the Oregon House of RepresentativesOregon House of Representatives
The Oregon House of Representatives is the lower house of the Oregon Legislative Assembly. There are 60 members of the House, representing 60 districts across the state, each with a population of 57,000. The House meets at the Oregon State Capitol in Salem....
, and continued to serve through the 1983 legislature. During that session he was elected by the House as Speaker. Kerans gave up the seat in the House in 1984 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...
. He was the Democratic nominee, but lost to Republican Bill Rutherford. He then worked one year as a lobbyist for the City of Eugene.
During the fall of 1987 he joined the Oregon for Dukakis State Steering Committee and was one of 25 members of the steering committee introduced by Kitty Dukakis at an airport press conference. At the Oregon Democratic State Convention in 1988 Kerans was one of ten Oregon Democrats elected as Dukakis delegates to the 1988 Democratic National Convention
1988 Democratic National Convention
The 1988 National Convention of the U.S. Democratic Party was held at The Omni in Atlanta, Georgia from July 18–July 21, 1988 to select a candidate for the 1988 United States presidential election. At the convention Gov. Michael Dukakis of Massachusetts was nominated for President and...
in Atlanta, Georgia. Other prominent Oregon Democrats that were elected with Kerans were Secretary of State 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...
, State Representative Tom Mason, and State Representative David Dix.
Kerans returned to the Oregon Legislative Assembly
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...
after election to the Oregon State Senate
Oregon State Senate
The Oregon State Senate is the upper house of the state-wide legislature for the U.S. state of Oregon. Along with the lower chamber Oregon House of Representatives it makes up the Oregon Legislative Assembly. There are 30 members of the State Senate, representing 30 districts across the state,...
from Lane County in 1986. In 1987, he was the lone dissenter in a 24–1 vote appointing Richard G. Reiten as the new director of the state Economic Development Department. Kerans was concerned about Reiten's membership in the all-male all-men's Arlington Club, even though Reiten himself was open to the club allowing women to join. Kerans doubted the Arlington Club would change its policies stating, "This is, after all, a 124-year-old club and they haven't changed their minds yet." In 1990, Arlington Club opened its doors to women. Kerans won re-election in 1990, but resigned in 1993, before his term was over, to take a job as a lobbyist. He had failed to win election as Senate President during the 1993 session.
Later years
Following his years in the legislature, Kerans worked as a lobbyist for the Oregon University SystemOregon University System
The Oregon University System consists of seven public, four-year universities in the State of Oregon administered by the Chancellor of the OUS, who is appointed by the Oregon State Board of Higher Education...
beginning in 1993 until 2004. He and his wife Janet retired to Tucson, Arizona in 2008.