Jason Atkinson
Encyclopedia
Jason Atkinson is an American politician in the US state of Oregon
. A native of California, the Republican
grew up in the Southern Oregon
city of Medford
. He is a senator in the Oregon Legislative Assembly
. He ran unsuccessfully for the Republican nomination for Governor of Oregon
in 2006, but was reelected to the Senate in 2008. He stated his intention to run in the 2010 Oregon gubernatorial election
, but has since withdrawn from the race.
. He grew up in the Medford, Oregon area, where, as an adolescent, he worked at his father's radio station, KDOV
. His father, Perry Atkinson, ran for Congress
three times and once served as chairman of the Oregon Republican Party
. Growing up, Jason competed in skiing and in mountain bike racing. In 1992, he earned a Bachelor's degree
in political science and history from Southern Oregon State College
. Atkinson then attended Willamette University
where he earned a MBA
from the school's Atkinson Graduate School of Management
in 1997. Atkinson is the founder of several entrepreneurial ventures, including Allmand Tree Creative. He also hosts a local radio talk show in Medford.
. He served as a Republican representing District 51, which includes Jackson
and Josephine
counties. He served one term before election to the Oregon State Senate
in 2000. Atkinson was elected from District 25, once again representing Jackson and Josephine counties in Southern Oregon. In 2002, the district was changed to District 2. Atkinson was re-elected to a second four-year Oregon Senate term without opposition in 2004. In the State Senate he has served as Deputy Majority Leader, Majority Whip and Committee Chair.
In 2006, Atkinson ran for the Republican nomination for Governor of Oregon
. He finished third of the eight candidates, with 22% of the vote, behind the nominee, Ron Saxton
, who garnered 43% and Kevin Mannix
, who received 30%.
Atkinson won reelection to the Oregon Senate in 2008.
with their son, Perry. The Atkinsons are of the Presbyterian faith.
pistol, which was in a small bag that he had taken off the bike and dropped on the floor. On July 31, Senator Atkinson was listed in serious condition at Providence Medford Medical Center.
On August 4, 2008, Atkinson underwent successful surgery at Providence Medford Medical Center.
|+ Oregon State Senator 2nd District General Electoral Results
!|Year
!
!|Democrat
!|Votes
!|Pct
!
!|Republican
!|Votes
!|Pct
|-
|2008
|
| |Richard Koopmans
| align="right" |17,570
| |30.79%
|
| |Jason A. Atkinson
| align="right" |39,265
| |68.81%
|-
|2004
|
| |No candidate filed
| align="right" |
| |
|
| |Jason A. Atkinson
| align="right" |45,379
| |96.17%
|-
{| class="wikitable" style="margin:0.5em ; font-size:95%"
|+ Oregon State Senator 25th District General Electoral Results
!|Year
!
!|Democrat
!|Votes
!|Pct
!
!|Republican
!|Votes
!|Pct
|-
|2000
|
| |No candidate filed
| align="right" |
| |
|
| |Jason A. Atkinson
| align="right" |37,636
| |95.35%
|-
{| class="wikitable" style="margin:0.5em ; font-size:95%"
|+ Oregon State Representative 51st District General Electoral Results
!|Year
!
!|Democrat
!|Votes
!|Pct
!
!|Republican
!|Votes
!|Pct
|-
|1998
|
| |Lon Holston
| align="right" |7,088
| |40.54%
|
| |Jason A. Atkinson
| align="right" |10,380
| |59.37%
|-
{| class="wikitable" style="margin:0.5em ; font-size:95%"
|+ Oregon Gubernatorial Republican Primary Electoral Results
!|Year
!
!|Republican
!|Votes
!|Pct
!
!|Republican
!|Votes
!|Pct
!
!|Republican
!|Votes
!|Pct
!
!|Republican
!|Votes
!|Pct
|-
|2006
|
| |Ron Saxton
| align="right" |125,286
| |41.69
|
| |Kevin Mannix
| align="right" |89,553
| |29.80%
|
| |Jason A. Atkinson
| align="right" |67,057
| |22.31%
|
| |Other candidate
| align="right" |18,658
| |6.21%
|-
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 California, the Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
grew up in the 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...
city of Medford
Medford, Oregon
Medford is a city in Jackson County, Oregon, United States. As of the 2010 US Census, the city had a total population of 74,907 and a metropolitan area population of 207,010, making the Medford MSA the 4th largest metro area in Oregon...
. He is a senator in 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...
. He ran unsuccessfully for the Republican nomination for Governor of Oregon
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....
in 2006, but was reelected to the Senate in 2008. He stated his intention to run in the 2010 Oregon gubernatorial election
Oregon gubernatorial election, 2010
The Oregon gubernatorial election of 2010 was held on Tuesday, to elect the Governor of Oregon, who will serve a four-year term to begin on . The incumbent governor, Democrat Ted Kulongoski, was ineligible to run due to term limits barring him from being elected to more than two consecutive...
, but has since withdrawn from the race.
Early life
Jason Atkinson was born on November 6, 1970, in Sacramento, CaliforniaSacramento, California
Sacramento is the capital city of the U.S. state of California and the county seat of Sacramento County. It is located at the confluence of the Sacramento River and the American River in the northern portion of California's expansive Central Valley. With a population of 466,488 at the 2010 census,...
. He grew up in the Medford, Oregon area, where, as an adolescent, he worked at his father's radio station, KDOV
KDOV
-External links:*...
. His father, Perry Atkinson, ran for Congress
United States Congress
The United States Congress is the bicameral legislature of the federal government of the United States, consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Congress meets in the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C....
three times and once served as chairman of the Oregon Republican Party
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...
. Growing up, Jason competed in skiing and in mountain bike racing. In 1992, he earned a Bachelor's degree
Bachelor's degree
A bachelor's degree is usually an academic degree awarded for an undergraduate course or major that generally lasts for three or four years, but can range anywhere from two to six years depending on the region of the world...
in political science and history from Southern Oregon State College
Southern Oregon University
is a public liberal arts college located in Ashland, Oregon, United States. Founded in 1926, it was formerly known as Southern Oregon College and Southern Oregon State College . SOU offers criminology, natural sciences, including environmental science, Shakespearean studies and theatre arts programs...
. Atkinson 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 earned a MBA
Master of Business Administration
The Master of Business Administration is a :master's degree in business administration, which attracts people from a wide range of academic disciplines. The MBA designation originated in the United States, emerging from the late 19th century as the country industrialized and companies sought out...
from the school's Atkinson Graduate School of Management
Atkinson Graduate School of Management
The George H. Atkinson Graduate School of Management is the Masters in Business Administration program at Willamette University in Salem, Oregon, United States. It is one of only two MBA programs in the world accredited for both Business Administration and Public Administration...
in 1997. Atkinson is the founder of several entrepreneurial ventures, including Allmand Tree Creative. He also hosts a local radio talk show in Medford.
Political career
In 1998, Atkinson was elected to his first public office as a member of 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....
. He served as a Republican representing District 51, which includes Jackson
Jackson County, Oregon
-National protected areas:* Cascade–Siskiyou National Monument* Crater Lake National Park * Klamath National Forest * Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest * Umpqua National Forest -Demographics:...
and Josephine
Josephine County, Oregon
Josephine County is a county located in the U.S. state of Oregon. According to Oregon Geographic Names, the county is probably named after a stream in the area called Josephine Creek, which in turn is probably named after Virginia Josephine Rollins Ort. In 2010, its population was 82,713...
counties. He served one term before 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,...
in 2000. Atkinson was elected from District 25, once again representing Jackson and Josephine counties in Southern Oregon. In 2002, the district was changed to District 2. Atkinson was re-elected to a second four-year Oregon Senate term without opposition in 2004. In the State Senate he has served as Deputy Majority Leader, Majority Whip and Committee Chair.
In 2006, Atkinson ran for the Republican nomination for Governor of Oregon
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....
. He finished third of the eight candidates, with 22% of the vote, behind the nominee, Ron Saxton
Ron Saxton
Ronald L. Saxton is an American lawyer and Republican politician in Oregon. A native of Oregon, his first public office was with the Portland Public Schools Board...
, who garnered 43% and Kevin Mannix
Kevin Mannix
Kevin Leese Mannix is a politician, business attorney, and former chairman of the Republican Party in the U.S. state of Oregon.Mannix has served in both houses of the Oregon Legislative Assembly, as a Democrat and, later, a Republican...
, who received 30%.
Atkinson won reelection to the Oregon Senate in 2008.
Family
Atkinson and his wife Stephanie live in Central PointCentral Point, Oregon
Central Point is a city in Jackson County, Oregon, United States. The population was 17,165 as of July 1, 2009 The city shares its southern border with Medford and is a part of the Medford metropolitan area...
with their son, Perry. The Atkinsons are of the Presbyterian faith.
Gun accident
On July 29, 2008, while repairing a friend's bicycle, Atkinson was struck in the knee by a bullet fired from a loaded .38 caliber derringerDerringer
The term derringer is a genericized misspelling of the last name of Henry Deringer, a famous 19th-century maker of small pocket pistols. Many copies of the original Philadelphia Deringer pistol were made by other gun makers worldwide, and the name was often misspelled; this misspelling soon became...
pistol, which was in a small bag that he had taken off the bike and dropped on the floor. On July 31, Senator Atkinson was listed in serious condition at Providence Medford Medical Center.
On August 4, 2008, Atkinson underwent successful surgery at Providence Medford Medical Center.
Electoral history
{| class="wikitable" style="margin:0.5em ; font-size:95%"|+ Oregon State Senator 2nd District General Electoral Results
!|Year
!
!|Democrat
!|Votes
!|Pct
!
!|Republican
!|Votes
!|Pct
|-
|2008
|
| |Richard Koopmans
| align="right" |17,570
| |30.79%
|
| |Jason A. Atkinson
| align="right" |39,265
| |68.81%
|-
|2004
|
| |No candidate filed
| align="right" |
| |
|
| |Jason A. Atkinson
| align="right" |45,379
| |96.17%
|-
{| class="wikitable" style="margin:0.5em ; font-size:95%"
|+ Oregon State Senator 25th District General Electoral Results
!|Year
!
!|Democrat
!|Votes
!|Pct
!
!|Republican
!|Votes
!|Pct
|-
|2000
|
| |No candidate filed
| align="right" |
| |
|
| |Jason A. Atkinson
| align="right" |37,636
| |95.35%
|-
{| class="wikitable" style="margin:0.5em ; font-size:95%"
|+ Oregon State Representative 51st District General Electoral Results
!|Year
!
!|Democrat
!|Votes
!|Pct
!
!|Republican
!|Votes
!|Pct
|-
|1998
|
| |Lon Holston
| align="right" |7,088
| |40.54%
|
| |Jason A. Atkinson
| align="right" |10,380
| |59.37%
|-
{| class="wikitable" style="margin:0.5em ; font-size:95%"
|+ Oregon Gubernatorial Republican Primary Electoral Results
!|Year
!
!|Republican
!|Votes
!|Pct
!
!|Republican
!|Votes
!|Pct
!
!|Republican
!|Votes
!|Pct
!
!|Republican
!|Votes
!|Pct
|-
|2006
|
| |Ron Saxton
Ron Saxton
Ronald L. Saxton is an American lawyer and Republican politician in Oregon. A native of Oregon, his first public office was with the Portland Public Schools Board...
| align="right" |125,286
| |41.69
|
| |Kevin Mannix
Kevin Mannix
Kevin Leese Mannix is a politician, business attorney, and former chairman of the Republican Party in the U.S. state of Oregon.Mannix has served in both houses of the Oregon Legislative Assembly, as a Democrat and, later, a Republican...
| align="right" |89,553
| |29.80%
|
| |Jason A. Atkinson
| align="right" |67,057
| |22.31%
|
| |Other candidate
| align="right" |18,658
| |6.21%
|-
See also
- Oregon gubernatorial election, 2010Oregon gubernatorial election, 2010The Oregon gubernatorial election of 2010 was held on Tuesday, to elect the Governor of Oregon, who will serve a four-year term to begin on . The incumbent governor, Democrat Ted Kulongoski, was ineligible to run due to term limits barring him from being elected to more than two consecutive...
- Oregon legislative elections, 2008
- Oregon gubernatorial election, 2006Oregon gubernatorial election, 2006The 2006 gubernatorial election in the U.S. state of Oregon took place on November 7, 2006. Incumbent Democrat Ted Kulongoski defeated Republican Ron Saxton, winning his bid for a second term as Governor of Oregon....
- Seventy-fifth Oregon Legislative AssemblySeventy-fifth Oregon Legislative AssemblyThe seventy-fifth Oregon Legislative Assembly convened beginning on , for its biennial regular session. All of the 60 seats in the House of Representatives and half of the 30 seats in the State Senate were up for election in 2008; the general election for those seats took place on .Democrats took...
External links
- Senator Atkinson's webpage from the Oregon Legislative Assembly website
- Senator Atkinson's Bio Oregon Secretary of State's Office
- Project Vote Smart Biography