Jason Atkinson

Jason Atkinson
Member of the Oregon Senate
from the 2nd district
In office
January 2001 – January 2013
Preceded by Brady Adams
Succeeded by Herman Baertschiger
Member of the Oregon House of Representatives
from the 51st district
In office
January 1999 – January 2001
Preceded by Eldon Johnson
Succeeded by Cherryl Walker
Personal details
Born (1970-11-06) November 6, 1970
Sacramento, California, U.S.
Political party Republican
Spouse(s) Stephanie Atkinson
Alma mater Southern Oregon University
Willamette University
Religion Presbyterianism

Jason Atkinson (born November 6, 1970) is an American politician in the US state of Oregon. The Republican grew up in the Southern Oregon city of Ashland. He served as a senator in the Oregon State Senate from 2001 to 2013. 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 withdrew from the race in 2009.[1][2]

Political career

In 1998, Atkinson was elected to his first public office as a member of the Oregon House of Representatives.[3] He served as a Republican representing District 51, which includes Jackson and Josephine counties.[3] He served one term before election to the Oregon State Senate in 2000.[4] 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.[5] Atkinson was re-elected to a second four-year Oregon Senate term without opposition in 2004.[6] 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.[7] 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. He decided not to run for reelection in 2012.[8]

Personal life

Atkinson and his wife Stephanie live in Central Point with their son, Perry. The Atkinsons are of the Presbyterian faith.[7]

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 derringer 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.[9] On August 4, 2008, Atkinson underwent successful surgery at Providence Medford Medical Center.[10]

Klamath River project

Atkinson is also known for his public support of the Klamath Basin Restoration Agreement. Dams, agricultural runoff, and water diversions in the upper basin of the Klamath River have caused water quality issues, ongoing fish kills, and steep salmon population declines on the lower half of the river, with resulting conflict between salmon fishing communities including several Native American tribes on one side, and ranchers and farmers on the other. In response, commercial fishermen, environmental groups and tribes have proposed reductions in water use in the Klamath Basin, as well as the removal of at least four dams on the river to recover blocked fish habitat and reduce water quality problems. In early 2010, after a multi-year negotiation process, a group of Klamath stakeholders put forth their concerns in the Klamath Basin Restoration Agreement.[11] This water management plan was signed by a number of local communities, governments, tribal groups, environmentalists, and fishermen, although it was also immediately opposed by some other local tribes[12] and conservationists,[13] as well as some farmers and ranchers. The proposal was endorsed by the U.S. Department of the Interior but was not authorized by the United States Congress. The Klamath Basin Restoration Agreement expired in late 2015, but in early 2016, a separate and more broadly-supported accord known as the Klamath Hydropower Settlement Agreement was struck.[14] Unlike the prior settlement, this new agreement does not require support or funding from Congress, and is expected to lead to the removal of the four lower Klamath River dams in 2020.[15]

Although Atkinson was not part of the negotiations or a signatory to the Klamath Basin Restoration Agreement,[11] he pushed strongly for Congress to endorse it. In 2014, he produced and narrated a documentary film, A River Between Us,[16] describing the controversy and the peoples involved.[17] However, the plan was not endorsed before Congress adjourned at the end of 2015. Atkinson has stated his belief that members of Congress did not take the plan or the people seriously enough to realize the plan's importance to environmental restoration.[18]

Electoral history

Oregon State Senator 2nd District General Electoral Results[19]
Year Democrat Votes Pct Republican Votes Pct
2008 Richard Koopmans 17,570 30.79% Jason A. Atkinson 39,265 68.81%
2004 No candidate filed Jason A. Atkinson 45,379 96.17%
Oregon State Senator 25th District General Electoral Results[19]
Year Democrat Votes Pct Republican Votes Pct
2000 No candidate filed Jason A. Atkinson 37,636 95.35%
Oregon State Representative 51st District General Electoral Results[19]
Year Democrat Votes Pct Republican Votes Pct
1998 Lon Holston 7,088 40.54% Jason A. Atkinson 10,380 59.37%
Oregon Gubernatorial Republican Primary Electoral Results[19]
Year Republican Votes Pct Republican Votes Pct Republican Votes Pct Republican Votes Pct
2006 Ron Saxton 125,286 41.69 Kevin Mannix 89,553 29.80% Jason A. Atkinson 67,057 22.31% Other candidate 18,658 6.21%

See also

References

  1. ↑ Mann, Damian (September 2, 2009). "Atkinson says he'll join governor's race on GOP side". Retrieved 9/8/2009. Check date values in: |access-date= (help)
  2. ↑ http://www.mailtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20091022/NEWS/910220310
  3. 1 2 "Oregon Legislative Assembly (70th) 1999 Regular Session". Oregon State Archives. Oregon Secretary of State. Retrieved 2007-12-12.
  4. ↑ "Oregon Legislative Assembly (71st) 2001 Regular Session". Oregon State Archives. Oregon Secretary of State. Retrieved 2007-12-12.
  5. ↑ "Oregon Legislative Assembly (72nd) 2003 Regular Session". Oregon State Archives. Oregon Secretary of State. Retrieved 2007-12-12.
  6. ↑ "Oregon Legislative Assembly (73rd) 2005 Regular Session". Oregon State Archives. Oregon Secretary of State. Retrieved 2007-12-12.
  7. 1 2 Law, Steve. Oregon governor's race party profile: Republicans. Statesman Journal, April 23, 2006.
  8. ↑ Giegerich, Andy (March 6, 2012). "Jason Atkinson to leave Oregon Senate". Portland Business Journal. Retrieved March 6, 2012.
  9. ↑ Mann, Damian (2008-07-31). "Dropped derringer wounds state Sen. Atkinson". Mail Tribune (Medford). Retrieved 2008-07-31.
  10. ↑ Specht, Sanne (2008-08-05). "Atkinson is doing well after successful surgery on his leg". Mail Tribune (Medford). Retrieved 2008-12-24.
  11. 1 2 KLAMATH BASIN RESTORATION AGREEMENT FOR THE SUSTAINABILITY OF PUBLIC AND TRUST RESOURCES AND AFFECTED COMMUNITIES, February 18, 2010.
  12. ↑ Leonard Masten, Chairman, Hoopa Valley Tribe, "KBRA damages fish, tribal rights, Eureka Times-Standard, November 30, 2012.
  13. ↑ WaterWatch of Oregon, ‘Make-believe water’ bill would be disaster for Klamath, Eugene Register-Guard, July 11, 2015.
  14. ↑ Paige Blankenbeuhler, On the Klamath, a surprising win for river advocates, High Country News, February 5, 2016.
  15. ↑ Will Houston, Klamath River dam removal plan delayed, Eureka Times-Standard, August 19, 2016.
  16. ↑ A River Between Us at the Internet Movie Database.
  17. ↑ Harry Esteve, Jason Atkinson, out of politics, works on Klamath River documentary. The Oregonian, February 16, 2014.
  18. ↑ Jason Atkinson, Darkness Won. Editorial by Atkinson in The Huffington Post, January 22, 2016.
  19. 1 2 3 4 http://oregonvotes.org/other.info/stelec.htm Retrieved August 31, 2009
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