Kevin Mannix
Encyclopedia
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
. He is better known, however, for his advocacy of statewide ballot measures—many of which were referred as a result of his efforts as a legislator—and as a candidate for the statewide offices of Attorney General
and Governor
.
In 2008, Mannix ran for the United States House of Representatives
in Oregon's 5th congressional district
Republican primary
but was defeated by Mike Erickson
.
. In 1974, he earned his law degree
from the University of Virginia School of Law
.
Prior to serving in the legislature, Mannix worked in several different capacities, including Assistant Attorney General of Oregon, Assistant Attorney General of Guam
, and a law clerk to the Oregon Court of Appeals
.
From 1989 through 1996, Mannix served in the Oregon House of Representatives
as a Democrat. In 1997, he became a Republican and was appointed to the Oregon State Senate
. He was elected back into the Oregon House in November 1998 and served through 2000.
, which imposed mandatory minimum sentence
s for certain crimes.
In 1996, Mannix brought Ballot Measure 40
to the ballot. It passed by a margin of 59% to 41%. Measure 40 was overturned by the Oregon Supreme Court
in Armatta v. Kitzhaber, 327 Or. 250, 959 P.2d 49 (1998) on the grounds that it contained more than one amendment to the Oregon Constitution
.
Measure 40 case precedent has been the basis for overturning several voter-approved initiatives. Among these are legislator term limits in 2002 and Measure 3, the Oregon Property Protection Act of 2000. Measure 40 returned to voters as Measures 69-75 in November 1999. The measures were primarily funded by conservative millionaires Loren Parks
and Mark Hemstreet (founder/CEO of Shilo Inn hotels). Of the seven measures, four were passed by voters.
as a Democrat. At the last minute, Hardy Myers
was recruited by Democrats to run against Mannix in the Democratic primary
, as some felt Mannix was too conservative
for their party. Myers defeated Mannix in the primary 62.8% to 36.8%. Myers went on to easily defeat his Republican opponent in the November general election
. Mannix changed his party affiliation to Republican the following year, 1997. He was appointed to the state Senate in 1998.
In 2000, Mannix again ran for State Attorney General against Myers in a bitter campaign. Myers again defeated Mannix 49.8% to 46.2%. Libertarian candidate Tom Cox received 4.0%. There is the possibility that Cox siphoned off votes from Mannix, although it's far from certain that enough of them would have supported him to deny Myers victory.
In 2002, Mannix ran for Governor
. In the Republican primary, he defeated former Labor Commissioner
Jack Roberts
and Portland attorney and school board chair Ron Saxton
. He went on to run against Democrat Ted Kulongoski
. Kulongoski won 49% of the vote versus 46% for Mannix. Libertarian
candidate Tom Cox received 5% – a margin which many observe could have swung the election, had those votes gone to Mannix. The defeat also marked the fifth time in a row the Republicans failed to gain control of the Governor's mansion.
Mannix became Oregon Republican Party
Chair in January 2003, and stepped down in 2005.
In 2006, Mannix ran again for the Republican nomination for Governor. He finished second in the primary with 30% of the vote, behind Saxton, who won the nomination with 43%, and ahead of state senator Jason Atkinson
, who received 22%. Mannix was opposed in the primary by the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde, who spent $800,000 opposing the Columbia Gorge casino
in the 2006 Democratic and Republican primaries. Saxton, widely considered more moderate than Mannix, went on to lose the General Election in May to incumbent Kulungoski by an 8.1% margin.
for 25 years. He backed a ballot measure for 2008 that had 15 provisions, one of which would have replaced the Oregon Medical Marijuana Act. with a free prescription medication program involving the drug Marinol (synthetic THC).
2006 Race for Governor - Republican Primary
2002 Race for Governor
2002 Race for Governor - Republican Primary
2000 Race for state Attorney General
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
, business attorney
Lawyer
A lawyer, according to Black's Law Dictionary, is "a person learned in the law; as an attorney, counsel or solicitor; a person who is practicing law." Law is the system of rules of conduct established by the sovereign government of a society to correct wrongs, maintain the stability of political...
, and former chairman of the 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...
in the U.S. state
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...
.
Mannix has served in both houses 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...
, as a Democrat
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...
and, later, 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...
. He is better known, however, for his advocacy of statewide ballot measures—many of which were referred as a result of his efforts as a legislator—and as a candidate for the statewide offices of Attorney General
Oregon Attorney General
The Oregon Attorney General is a statutory office within the executive branch of the state of Oregon, and serves as the chief legal officer of the state, heading its Department of Justice with its six operating divisions. The Attorney General is chosen by statewide partisan election to serve a term...
and 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....
.
In 2008, Mannix ran for the United States House of Representatives
United States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
in Oregon's 5th congressional district
Oregon's 5th congressional district
Oregon's 5th congressional district represents Oregon's central coast through Salem, north to the southern Portland suburbs, and east to the summit of Mount Hood. It includes Lincoln, Marion, Polk, and Tillamook counties, most of Clackamas County, and part of Benton and Multnomah counties...
Republican primary
Primary election
A primary election is an election in which party members or voters select candidates for a subsequent election. Primary elections are one means by which a political party nominates candidates for the next general election....
but was defeated by Mike Erickson
Mike Erickson
Mike Erickson is a businessman and politician in the U.S. state of Oregon. He ran unsuccessfully for two different seats in the Oregon House of Representatives in 1988 and 1992, and was the Republican nominee for the United States House of Representatives in Oregon's 5th congressional district in...
.
Early political career
Mannix earned a bachelor's degree in liberal arts in 1971 from the University of VirginiaUniversity of Virginia
The University of Virginia is a public research university located in Charlottesville, Virginia, United States, founded by Thomas Jefferson...
. In 1974, he earned his law degree
Juris Doctor
Juris Doctor is a professional doctorate and first professional graduate degree in law.The degree was first awarded by Harvard University in the United States in the late 19th century and was created as a modern version of the old European doctor of law degree Juris Doctor (see etymology and...
from the University of Virginia School of Law
University of Virginia School of Law
The University of Virginia School of Law was founded in Charlottesville in 1819 by Thomas Jefferson as one of the original subjects taught at his "academical village," the University of Virginia. The law school maintains an enrollment of approximately 1,100 students in its initial degree program...
.
Prior to serving in the legislature, Mannix worked in several different capacities, including Assistant Attorney General of Oregon, Assistant Attorney General of Guam
Guam
Guam is an organized, unincorporated territory of the United States located in the western Pacific Ocean. It is one of five U.S. territories with an established civilian government. Guam is listed as one of 16 Non-Self-Governing Territories by the Special Committee on Decolonization of the United...
, and a law clerk to the Oregon Court of Appeals
Oregon Court of Appeals
The Oregon Court of Appeals is the state intermediate appellate court in the U.S. state of Oregon. Part of the Oregon Judicial Department, it has ten judges and is located in Salem...
.
From 1989 through 1996, Mannix served in the Oregon 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....
as a Democrat. In 1997, he became a Republican and was appointed 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,...
. He was elected back into the Oregon House in November 1998 and served through 2000.
Ballot measure advocacy
Mannix was a driving force behind the effort to get tougher sentences for criminals. In 1994, he helped pass Ballot Measure 11Oregon Ballot Measure 11 (1994)
Measure 11 was a citizens' initiative passed in 1994 in the U.S. State of Oregon. This statutory enactment established mandatory minimum sentencing for several crimes...
, which imposed mandatory minimum sentence
Mandatory sentencing
A mandatory sentence is a court decision setting where judicial discretion is limited by law. Typically, people convicted of certain crimes must be punished with at least a minimum number of years in prison...
s for certain crimes.
In 1996, Mannix brought Ballot Measure 40
Oregon Ballot Measure 40 (1996) and subsequent measures
Ballot Measure 40 was an Oregon ballot measure in 1996. The measure brought sweeping reforms to Oregon's justice system, generally in an effort to promote victims' rights....
to the ballot. It passed by a margin of 59% to 41%. Measure 40 was overturned by the Oregon Supreme Court
Oregon Supreme Court
The Oregon Supreme Court is the highest state court in the U.S. state of Oregon. The only court that may reverse or modify a decision of the Oregon Supreme Court is the Supreme Court of the United States. The OSC holds court at the Oregon Supreme Court Building in Salem, Oregon, near the capitol...
in Armatta v. Kitzhaber, 327 Or. 250, 959 P.2d 49 (1998) on the grounds that it contained more than one amendment to the Oregon Constitution
Oregon Constitution
The Oregon Constitution is the governing document of the U.S. state of Oregon, originally enacted in 1857. As amended the current state constitution contains eighteen sections, beginning with a bill of rights. This contains most of the rights and privileges granted in the United States Bill of...
.
Measure 40 case precedent has been the basis for overturning several voter-approved initiatives. Among these are legislator term limits in 2002 and Measure 3, the Oregon Property Protection Act of 2000. Measure 40 returned to voters as Measures 69-75 in November 1999. The measures were primarily funded by conservative millionaires Loren Parks
Loren Parks
Loren Parks is a businessman from the U.S. state of Nevada. He previously lived in Oregon , and is the biggest political contributor in the history of that state. He has financed numerous ballot measure initiative petitions and campaigns since the mid-1990s...
and Mark Hemstreet (founder/CEO of Shilo Inn hotels). Of the seven measures, four were passed by voters.
Runs for statewide office
In 1996, Mannix ran for Oregon Attorney GeneralOregon Attorney General
The Oregon Attorney General is a statutory office within the executive branch of the state of Oregon, and serves as the chief legal officer of the state, heading its Department of Justice with its six operating divisions. The Attorney General is chosen by statewide partisan election to serve a term...
as a Democrat. At the last minute, Hardy Myers
Hardy Myers
Hardy Myers is a lawyer and Democratic politician who served three terms as attorney general of the state of Oregon, United States...
was recruited by Democrats to run against Mannix in the Democratic primary
Primary election
A primary election is an election in which party members or voters select candidates for a subsequent election. Primary elections are one means by which a political party nominates candidates for the next general election....
, as some felt Mannix was too conservative
Conservatism
Conservatism is a political and social philosophy that promotes the maintenance of traditional institutions and supports, at the most, minimal and gradual change in society. Some conservatives seek to preserve things as they are, emphasizing stability and continuity, while others oppose modernism...
for their party. Myers defeated Mannix in the primary 62.8% to 36.8%. Myers went on to easily defeat his Republican opponent in the November general election
General election
In a parliamentary political system, a general election is an election in which all or most members of a given political body are chosen. The term is usually used to refer to elections held for a nation's primary legislative body, as distinguished from by-elections and local elections.The term...
. Mannix changed his party affiliation to Republican the following year, 1997. He was appointed to the state Senate in 1998.
In 2000, Mannix again ran for State Attorney General against Myers in a bitter campaign. Myers again defeated Mannix 49.8% to 46.2%. Libertarian candidate Tom Cox received 4.0%. There is the possibility that Cox siphoned off votes from Mannix, although it's far from certain that enough of them would have supported him to deny Myers victory.
In 2002, Mannix ran for Governor
Oregon gubernatorial election, 2002
The 2002 Oregon gubernatorial election took place on November 5, 2002 for the post of Governor of Oregon. Democratic candidate Ted Kulongoski defeated Republican Kevin Mannix.-Democratic primary:...
. In the Republican primary, he defeated former Labor Commissioner
Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries
The Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries is an agency in the executive branch of the government of the U.S. state of Oregon. It is headed by the Commissioner of Labor and Industries, a nonpartisan, statewide elective office. The term of office is four years...
Jack Roberts
Jack Roberts (Oregon politician)
Jack Roberts is a politician in the U.S. state of Oregon. A Republican, his highest office has been Oregon Commissioner of Labor and Industries, which he held from 1995 to 2003...
and Portland attorney and school board chair 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...
. He went on to run against Democrat Ted Kulongoski
Ted Kulongoski
Theodore R. "Ted" Kulongoski is an American politician, who served as the 36th Governor of Oregon. A Democrat, he has served in both houses of the Oregon Legislative Assembly, as the state Insurance Commissioner, the Attorney General, and an Associate Justice on the Oregon Supreme Court.-Early...
. Kulongoski won 49% of the vote versus 46% for Mannix. Libertarian
Libertarian Party of Oregon
The Libertarian Party of Oregon is a political party representing the national Libertarian Party in the U.S. state of Oregon. It is organized as a minor party for state election law, and recognized by the Oregon as a state-wide nominating party....
candidate Tom Cox received 5% – a margin which many observe could have swung the election, had those votes gone to Mannix. The defeat also marked the fifth time in a row the Republicans failed to gain control of the Governor's mansion.
Mannix became 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...
Chair in January 2003, and stepped down in 2005.
In 2006, Mannix ran again for the Republican nomination for Governor. He finished second in the primary with 30% of the vote, behind Saxton, who won the nomination with 43%, and ahead of state senator Jason Atkinson
Jason Atkinson
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...
, who received 22%. Mannix was opposed in the primary by the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde, who spent $800,000 opposing the Columbia Gorge casino
Columbia Gorge casino
The Columbia Gorge casino is a casino proposed by the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs, a group of Indian tribes in the U.S. state of Oregon. They have sought to build a casino in the Columbia River Gorge since at least 1999. Current plans call for a facility with 250 hotel rooms in the city...
in the 2006 Democratic and Republican primaries. Saxton, widely considered more moderate than Mannix, went on to lose the General Election in May to incumbent Kulungoski by an 8.1% margin.
Other activities
Mannix is president of the Salem Catholic Schools Foundation and has been a member of Rotary InternationalRotary International
Rotary International is an organization of service clubs known as Rotary Clubs located all over the world. The stated purpose of the organization is to bring together business and professional leaders to provide humanitarian service, encourage high ethical standards in all vocations, and help...
for 25 years. He backed a ballot measure for 2008 that had 15 provisions, one of which would have replaced the Oregon Medical Marijuana Act. with a free prescription medication program involving the drug Marinol (synthetic THC).
Electoral history
2008 Race for U.S. House of Representatives - Republican Primary- Mike EricksonMike EricksonMike Erickson is a businessman and politician in the U.S. state of Oregon. He ran unsuccessfully for two different seats in the Oregon House of Representatives in 1988 and 1992, and was the Republican nominee for the United States House of Representatives in Oregon's 5th congressional district in...
(R), 49% - Kevin Mannix (R), 46%
2006 Race for Governor - Republican Primary
- Ron SaxtonRon SaxtonRonald 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...
(R), 43% - Kevin Mannix (R), 30%
- Jason AtkinsonJason AtkinsonJason 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...
(R), 22%
2002 Race for Governor
- Ted KulongoskiTed KulongoskiTheodore R. "Ted" Kulongoski is an American politician, who served as the 36th Governor of Oregon. A Democrat, he has served in both houses of the Oregon Legislative Assembly, as the state Insurance Commissioner, the Attorney General, and an Associate Justice on the Oregon Supreme Court.-Early...
(D), 49% - Kevin Mannix (R), 46%
- Tom Cox (L), 5%
2002 Race for Governor - Republican Primary
- Kevin Mannix (R), 35%
- Jack RobertsJack Roberts (Oregon politician)Jack Roberts is a politician in the U.S. state of Oregon. A Republican, his highest office has been Oregon Commissioner of Labor and Industries, which he held from 1995 to 2003...
(R), 29% - Ron SaxtonRon SaxtonRonald 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...
(R), 28%
2000 Race for state Attorney General
- Hardy MyersHardy MyersHardy Myers is a lawyer and Democratic politician who served three terms as attorney general of the state of Oregon, United States...
(D) (inc.), 50% - Kevin Mannix (R), 46%
See also
- 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....
- United States House of Representatives elections in Oregon, 2008United States House of Representatives elections in Oregon, 2008The United States House of Representatives elections in Oregon, 2008 were held on November 4, 2008, to determine who will represent the state of Oregon in the United States House of Representatives, coinciding with the presidential and senatorial elections...