Jeanne Atkins
| Jeanne Atkins | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| 25th Secretary of State of Oregon | |
|
In office March 11, 2015 – January 2, 2017 |
|
| Governor | Kate Brown |
| Preceded by | Kate Brown |
| Succeeded by | Dennis Richardson |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1949/1950 (age 67–68) Bremerton, Washington, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse(s) | John |
| Education |
University of Washington, Seattle (BA) University of Oregon (JD) |
Jeanne Paquette Atkins (born 1949/1950) is an American politician. She is the former Secretary of State of Oregon, having been appointed on March 6, 2015, by Governor Kate Brown following Brown's ascension to the state's highest office. Atkins is a member of the Democratic Party.
Atkins ran unsuccessfully for a seat in the Oregon House of Representatives twice, in 1992 and 1994. From 1998 until 2004, she was a division director for reproductive and women's health for the Oregon Department of Human Services. Atkins also worked as staff director for Democrats in the Oregon Senate from 1993 to 1994. Between 2004 and 2009, she served as Chief of Staff for the Oregon House Democratic Caucus, then-House Speaker Jeff Merkley, and then-House Speaker Dave Hunt. In the private and nonprofit sector, she has worked for Planned Parenthood, the United Way of America, and the Women's Equity Action League.
On August 24, 2009 Atkins was appointed as United States Senator Jeff Merkley's State Director, stating “I’m thrilled that Jeanne has agreed lead my Oregon staff as my new State Director and bring her superb team management abilities to this post." She assumed the office on October 5, 2009. She retired from the post in January 2015. Upon her appointment as Secretary of State, Merkley stated, “Governor Brown couldn’t have picked a more dedicated and experienced public servant to become our next Secretary of State. Jeanne Atkins is a true Oregon gem and supremely qualified. I’ve personally witnessed her strong leadership in her roles as my Chief of Staff, when I served as Speaker of the Oregon House, and as Oregon State Director of my Senate team. I know she will do a wonderful job as Oregon’s Secretary of State.”
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