Jerry Regier
Encyclopedia
Gerald P. "Jerry" Regier (born 1945) is an American
businessman and politician
from Oklahoma
who is best known as first President of the Family Research Council
.
Regier has previsously served in numerous positions within the Administration of Governor of Oklahoma
Frank Keating
, including Keating's Oklahoma Secretary of Health and Human Services
(1997–2002). In addition to his service as Secretary, Regier served concurrently as the Executive Director of the Oklahoma Office of Juvenile Affairs
.
, founded the Family Research Council
, a conservative, Christian right group and lobbying organization, in 1983. Regier served as that organization's first President from 1984 until 1988. Gary Bauer
, a domestic policy advisor under President Ronald Reagan, succeeded Regier as President.
appointed Regier in 1988 to the National Commission on Children, an advisory body in the United States Department of Health and Human Services
on children's issues. Reagan's successor, George H.W. Bush, reappointed Regier in 1991. Regier continued to serve on the Commission until 1993.
In 1992, President Bush appointed Regier as Director of the Bureau of Justice Assistance
and as Administrator of the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention
in the United States Department of Justice
(DOJ). Regier served in both of those positions until the end of Bush's term in 1993.
Frank Keating
, a former Reagan Administration official, was elected Governor of Oklahoma
in 1995, Keating appointed Regier to serve as the Deputy Director of the newly created Oklahoma Office of Juvenile Affairs
(OJA) under Executive Director Ken Lackey
. Regier served as Lackey's principal juvenile justice advisor to Lackey in his position as Keating's Oklahoma Secretary of Health and Human Services
. When Lackey resigned as Executive Director of OJA, Keating appointed Regier as his successor.
, the Oklahoma Department of Human Services
, the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services
, the Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services
, and the Oklahoma Office of Juvenile Affairs
.
Regier resigned as Secretary in 2002 to pursue a campaign to succeed the term-limited Keating as Governor of Oklahoma
. Keating appointed the head of the Oklahoma Department of Human Services
, Howard Hendrick
, to succeed Regier as Secretary.
as a Republican
candidate. He faced former Seattle Seahawks
wide receiver
and then Congressman Steve Largent
for the Republican nomination. In April of that year, however, Regier dropped out the gubernatorial campaign after issues surfaced over his legal qualifications for the office. Largent went on to receive the nomination and faced Democratic
State Senator
Brad Henry
. Henry narrowly defeated Largent.
appoint him the head of the Florida Department of Children and Families. Bush acted on Keating's recommendation and made Regier his Secretary of Children and Families. He remained in that position until the end of Bush's term in 2007.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
businessman and politician
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
from Oklahoma
Oklahoma
Oklahoma is a state located in the South Central region of the United States of America. With an estimated 3,751,351 residents as of the 2010 census and a land area of 68,667 square miles , Oklahoma is the 28th most populous and 20th-largest state...
who is best known as first President of the Family Research Council
Family Research Council
The Family Research Council is a conservative or right-wing Christian group and lobbying organization formed in the United States in 1981 by James Dobson. It was fully incorporated in 1983...
.
Regier has previsously served in numerous positions within the Administration of Governor of Oklahoma
Governor of Oklahoma
The governor of the state of Oklahoma is the head of state for the state of Oklahoma, United States. Under the Oklahoma Constitution, the governor is also the head of government, serving as the chief executive of the Oklahoma executive branch, of the government of Oklahoma...
Frank Keating
Frank Keating
Francis Anthony "Frank" Keating is an American politician from Oklahoma. Keating served as the 25th Governor of Oklahoma. His first term began in 1995 and ended in 1999...
, including Keating's Oklahoma Secretary of Health and Human Services
Oklahoma Secretary of Health and Human Services
The Oklahoma Secretary of Health and Human Services is a member of the Oklahoma Governor's Cabinet. The Secretary is appointed by the Governor, with the consent of the Oklahoma Senate, to serve at the pleasure of the Governor...
(1997–2002). In addition to his service as Secretary, Regier served concurrently as the Executive Director of the Oklahoma Office of Juvenile Affairs
Oklahoma Office of Juvenile Affairs
The Oklahoma Office of Juvenile Affairs is an agency of the state of Oklahoma headquartered in Oklahoma City that is responsible for planning and coordinating statewide juvenile justice and delinquency prevention services. OJA is also responsible for operating juvenile correctional facilities in...
.
Family Research Council
Regier, in cooperation with Dr. James DobsonJames Dobson
James Clayton "Jim" Dobson, Jr. is an American evangelical Christian author, psychologist, and founder in 1977 of Focus on the Family , which he led until 2003. In the 1980s he was ranked as one of the most influential spokesman for conservative social positions in American public life...
, founded the Family Research Council
Family Research Council
The Family Research Council is a conservative or right-wing Christian group and lobbying organization formed in the United States in 1981 by James Dobson. It was fully incorporated in 1983...
, a conservative, Christian right group and lobbying organization, in 1983. Regier served as that organization's first President from 1984 until 1988. Gary Bauer
Gary Bauer
Gary Lee Bauer is an American politician notable for his ties to several evangelical Christian groups and campaigns.-Biography:...
, a domestic policy advisor under President Ronald Reagan, succeeded Regier as President.
Federal government career
President Ronald ReaganRonald Reagan
Ronald Wilson Reagan was the 40th President of the United States , the 33rd Governor of California and, prior to that, a radio, film and television actor....
appointed Regier in 1988 to the National Commission on Children, an advisory body in the United States Department of Health and Human Services
United States Department of Health and Human Services
The United States Department of Health and Human Services is a Cabinet department of the United States government with the goal of protecting the health of all Americans and providing essential human services. Its motto is "Improving the health, safety, and well-being of America"...
on children's issues. Reagan's successor, George H.W. Bush, reappointed Regier in 1991. Regier continued to serve on the Commission until 1993.
In 1992, President Bush appointed Regier as Director of the Bureau of Justice Assistance
Bureau of Justice Assistance
The Bureau of Justice Assistance is a component of the Office of Justice Programs, within the United States Department of Justice.On Monday, December 13, 2010, President Barack Obama sent to the U.S. Senate the nomination of Denise Ellen O'Donnell, of New York, to be the Director of the Bureau, in...
and as Administrator of the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention
Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention
The Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention is an office of the United States Department of Justice and a component of the Office of Justice Programs....
in the United States Department of Justice
United States Department of Justice
The United States Department of Justice , is the United States federal executive department responsible for the enforcement of the law and administration of justice, equivalent to the justice or interior ministries of other countries.The Department is led by the Attorney General, who is nominated...
(DOJ). Regier served in both of those positions until the end of Bush's term in 1993.
Office of Juvenile Affairs
When RepublicanRepublican 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...
Frank Keating
Frank Keating
Francis Anthony "Frank" Keating is an American politician from Oklahoma. Keating served as the 25th Governor of Oklahoma. His first term began in 1995 and ended in 1999...
, a former Reagan Administration official, was elected Governor of Oklahoma
Governor of Oklahoma
The governor of the state of Oklahoma is the head of state for the state of Oklahoma, United States. Under the Oklahoma Constitution, the governor is also the head of government, serving as the chief executive of the Oklahoma executive branch, of the government of Oklahoma...
in 1995, Keating appointed Regier to serve as the Deputy Director of the newly created Oklahoma Office of Juvenile Affairs
Oklahoma Office of Juvenile Affairs
The Oklahoma Office of Juvenile Affairs is an agency of the state of Oklahoma headquartered in Oklahoma City that is responsible for planning and coordinating statewide juvenile justice and delinquency prevention services. OJA is also responsible for operating juvenile correctional facilities in...
(OJA) under Executive Director Ken Lackey
Ken Lackey
Kenneth "Ken" Lackey is an American businessman and politician from Oklahoma who formerly served as the President of the University of Oklahoma-Tulsa....
. Regier served as Lackey's principal juvenile justice advisor to Lackey in his position as Keating's Oklahoma Secretary of Health and Human Services
Oklahoma Secretary of Health and Human Services
The Oklahoma Secretary of Health and Human Services is a member of the Oklahoma Governor's Cabinet. The Secretary is appointed by the Governor, with the consent of the Oklahoma Senate, to serve at the pleasure of the Governor...
. When Lackey resigned as Executive Director of OJA, Keating appointed Regier as his successor.
Health Secretary
Lackey served as Health and Human Services Secretary until 1997, when Keating appointed him as his Chief of Staff. Keating appointed Regier to succeed Lackey as Secretary. As Health and Human Services Secretary, Lackey served as Keating's top health policy advisor and provided oversight to the Oklahoma State Department of HealthOklahoma State Department of Health
The Oklahoma State Department of Health is a department of the government of Oklahoma under the supervision of the Oklahoma Secretary of Health. The Department is responsible for protecting the health of all Oklahomans and providing other essential human services...
, the Oklahoma Department of Human Services
Oklahoma Department of Human Services
The Oklahoma Department of Human Services is an agency of the government of Oklahoma responsible for providing help to individuals and families in need through public assistance programs and managing services for seniors and people with disabilities. The Department is governed by the Commission on...
, the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services
Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services
The Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services is an agency of the Government of Oklahoma responsible for providing public health services relating to mental illness and substance abuse...
, the Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services
Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services
The Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services is an agency of the government of Oklahoma responsible for providing people with physical, mental and visual disabilities with the opportunity to obtain employment and independent living through counseling, job training and other individualized...
, and the Oklahoma Office of Juvenile Affairs
Oklahoma Office of Juvenile Affairs
The Oklahoma Office of Juvenile Affairs is an agency of the state of Oklahoma headquartered in Oklahoma City that is responsible for planning and coordinating statewide juvenile justice and delinquency prevention services. OJA is also responsible for operating juvenile correctional facilities in...
.
Regier resigned as Secretary in 2002 to pursue a campaign to succeed the term-limited Keating as Governor of Oklahoma
Governor of Oklahoma
The governor of the state of Oklahoma is the head of state for the state of Oklahoma, United States. Under the Oklahoma Constitution, the governor is also the head of government, serving as the chief executive of the Oklahoma executive branch, of the government of Oklahoma...
. Keating appointed the head of the Oklahoma Department of Human Services
Oklahoma Department of Human Services
The Oklahoma Department of Human Services is an agency of the government of Oklahoma responsible for providing help to individuals and families in need through public assistance programs and managing services for seniors and people with disabilities. The Department is governed by the Commission on...
, Howard Hendrick
Howard Hendrick
Howard Hendrick is a Republican politician from the US state of Oklahoma. Hendrick was serving as the Oklahoma Secretary of Human Services, having been appointed by Democratic Governor of Oklahoma Brad Henry in 2003....
, to succeed Regier as Secretary.
Gubernatorial campaign, 2002
Regier entered the 2002 Oklahoma gubernatorial electionOklahoma gubernatorial election, 2002
The Oklahoma gubernatorial election of 2002 was held on November 7, 2002, and was a race for the Governor of Oklahoma. Democrat Brad Henry won the election with 43 percent of the vote, beating Republican Steve Largent and conservative independent Gary Richardson.Henry's narrow win has been...
as a 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...
candidate. He faced former Seattle Seahawks
Seattle Seahawks
The Seattle Seahawks are a professional American football team based in Seattle, Washington. They are currently members of the Western Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team joined the NFL in 1976 as an expansion team...
wide receiver
Wide receiver
A wide receiver is an offensive position in American and Canadian football, and is the key player in most of the passing plays. Only players in the backfield or the ends on the line are eligible to catch a forward pass. The two players who begin play at the ends of the offensive line are eligible...
and then Congressman Steve Largent
Steve Largent
Steven Michael "Steve" Largent is a retired American football player, enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and a former U.S. Congressman, having served in the U.S. House of Representatives for Oklahoma from 1994 until 2002...
for the Republican nomination. In April of that year, however, Regier dropped out the gubernatorial campaign after issues surfaced over his legal qualifications for the office. Largent went on to receive the nomination and faced Democratic
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
State Senator
Oklahoma Senate
The Oklahoma Senate is the upper house of the two houses of the Legislature of Oklahoma, the other being the Oklahoma House of Representatives. The total number of Senators is set at 48 by the Oklahoma Constitution....
Brad Henry
Brad Henry
Charles Bradford "Brad" Henry was the 26th Governor of the U.S. state of Oklahoma. A member of the Democratic Party, he was elected governor in 2002...
. Henry narrowly defeated Largent.
Jeb Bush Administration
When Regier dropped out of the Governor's race, Keating recommended that Governor of Florida Jeb BushJeb Bush
John Ellis "Jeb" Bush is an American politician who served as the 43rd Governor of Florida from 1999 to 2007. He is a prominent member of the Bush family: the second son of former President George H. W. Bush and former First Lady Barbara Bush; the younger brother of former President George W...
appoint him the head of the Florida Department of Children and Families. Bush acted on Keating's recommendation and made Regier his Secretary of Children and Families. He remained in that position until the end of Bush's term in 2007.