Ted Wheeler
Encyclopedia
Edward Tevis "Ted" Wheeler (born August 31, 1962) is an American
politician from Oregon
. He was appointed Oregon State Treasurer
on March 9, 2010 to replace Ben Westlund
, who died in office. He is a member of the Democratic Party
.
where he attended Portland Public Schools, including graduation from Lincoln High School. He received a Bachelor's degree in Economics from Stanford University
in 1985. He also earned an MBA from Columbia University
and a masters in public policy from Harvard University
. Wheeler worked for several financial services companies, including the Bank of America
and Copper Mountain Trust.
chair Diane Linn to become chairman of the Multnomah County Board of Commissioners. On March 7, 2010, incumbent Oregon state treasurer Ben Westlund
died of lung cancer. Two days later, Oregon governor Ted Kulongoski
appointed Wheeler to fill Westlund's seat. Wheeler defeated fellow Democrat Rick Metsger
in the Democratic primary election on May 18, 2010 and subsequently defeated Republican Chris Telfer
, Progressive Walt Brown
and Michael Marsh of the Constitution party in a special election in November that determined that Wheeler would complete the rest of Westlund's term, which expires in 2013.
and is an avid outdoorsman. He summited Mount Everest
in 2002. He lives in Southwest Portland with his wife and daughter.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
politician from 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 was appointed 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...
on March 9, 2010 to replace Ben Westlund
Ben Westlund
Ben Westlund was a politician in the U.S. state of Oregon. A Democrat, he was elected State Treasurer in 2008. Previously, Westlund served in both houses of the Oregon Legislative Assembly, as a Republican from 1996 to 2006, as an independent from 2006 to 2007, and then as a Democrat...
, who died in office. He is a member of the Democratic Party
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...
.
Early life and education
A fifth-generation Oregonian, Wheeler was born in Portland, OregonPortland, Oregon
Portland is a city located in the Pacific Northwest, near the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia rivers in the U.S. state of Oregon. As of the 2010 Census, it had a population of 583,776, making it the 29th most populous city in the United States...
where he attended Portland Public Schools, including graduation from Lincoln High School. He received a Bachelor's degree in Economics from Stanford University
Stanford University
The Leland Stanford Junior University, commonly referred to as Stanford University or Stanford, is a private research university on an campus located near Palo Alto, California. It is situated in the northwestern Santa Clara Valley on the San Francisco Peninsula, approximately northwest of San...
in 1985. He also earned an MBA from Columbia University
Columbia University
Columbia University in the City of New York is a private, Ivy League university in Manhattan, New York City. Columbia is the oldest institution of higher learning in the state of New York, the fifth oldest in the United States, and one of the country's nine Colonial Colleges founded before the...
and a masters in public policy from Harvard University
Harvard University
Harvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...
. Wheeler worked for several financial services companies, including the Bank of America
Bank of America
Bank of America Corporation, an American multinational banking and financial services corporation, is the second largest bank holding company in the United States by assets, and the fourth largest bank in the U.S. by market capitalization. The bank is headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina...
and Copper Mountain Trust.
Political career
In 2006, Wheeler defeated incumbent Multnomah CountyMultnomah 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...
chair Diane Linn to become chairman of the Multnomah County Board of Commissioners. On March 7, 2010, incumbent Oregon state treasurer Ben Westlund
Ben Westlund
Ben Westlund was a politician in the U.S. state of Oregon. A Democrat, he was elected State Treasurer in 2008. Previously, Westlund served in both houses of the Oregon Legislative Assembly, as a Republican from 1996 to 2006, as an independent from 2006 to 2007, and then as a Democrat...
died of lung cancer. Two days later, Oregon governor 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...
appointed Wheeler to fill Westlund's seat. Wheeler defeated fellow Democrat Rick Metsger
Rick 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...
in the Democratic primary election on May 18, 2010 and subsequently defeated Republican Chris Telfer
Chris Telfer
Chris Telfer is a Republican politician and Certified Public Accountant in Bend, Oregon, United States.Telfer serves on the Bend City Council, and was elected to the Oregon State Senate in the November 2008 elections, to succeed outgoing Senator Ben Westlund...
, Progressive Walt Brown
Walt Brown
Walter Frederick Brown is an American politician and was the presidential candidate of the Socialist Party USA in the 2004 elections. Brown became a socialist in 1948. He served as Democratic member of the Oregon State Senate from 1975 to 1987. Brown also served as a Socialist Party of Oregon...
and Michael Marsh of the Constitution party in a special election in November that determined that Wheeler would complete the rest of Westlund's term, which expires in 2013.
Personal
Wheeler is an Eagle ScoutEagle Scout (Boy Scouts of America)
Eagle Scout is the highest rank attainable in the Boy Scouting program of the Boy Scouts of America . A Scout who attains this rank is called an Eagle Scout or Eagle. Since its introduction in 1911, the Eagle Scout rank has been earned by more than 2 million young men...
and is an avid outdoorsman. He summited Mount Everest
Mount Everest
Mount Everest is the world's highest mountain, with a peak at above sea level. It is located in the Mahalangur section of the Himalayas. The international boundary runs across the precise summit point...
in 2002. He lives in Southwest Portland with his wife and daughter.