Shane Bemis
| Shane Bemis | |
|---|---|
 |
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| Mayor of Gresham, Oregon | |
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Assumed office January 2007 |
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| Preceded by | Charles Becker |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1972 (age 44–45) Billings, Montana |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse(s) | Alix Bemis |
| Children | Three sons |
| Residence | Gresham, Oregon |
| Alma mater | Marylhurst University |
| Profession | Restaurateur, politician |
Shane Bemis (born c. 1972) is an American politician who is the current mayor of Gresham, Oregon, Oregon's fourth largest city. He was elected mayor in 2006, at the age of 34, becoming the youngest mayor in Gresham's history. Prior to serving as mayor, Bemis served as a city councilor for Gresham for one term between 2003 and 2007.
Shane Bemis was born in Billings, Montana into a politically active family and ultimately chose to become politically active as well while working in the family's hardware store. Raised in Billings, Bemis moved to Gresham when he was fifteen years old. After graduating high school, Bemis attended Marylhurst University where he earned a bachelor's degree in communications. In his twenties, Bemis opened a Bellagio’s Pizzeria franchise in Gresham. He credits his business pursuits with his belief in bringing a "business-oriented" approach to local governance in Gresham.
In 2002, Bemis ran for councilor in position #6 against John W. Dillow and won the election by a nearly two to one margin. After serving one term, Bemis ran for mayor in 2006 and was elected mayor over incumbent Charles Becker by a margin of 7,417 votes for Bemis to 5,208 for Becker.
In 2007 Mayor Bemis pushed TriMet, the local transit agency, to tackle crime along the MAX light-rail line. This effort resulted in the creation of a transit-police precinct in Gresham.
Bemis was named by the Portland Business Journal in 2007, as one of the region’s “Forty Under 40 Award” recipients. The “Forty Under 40 Award” honors 40 people in the region under the age of 40 who have shown great accomplishments in their professional lives and made outstanding contributions to their communities. Shane Bemis is a prominent local business person in Gresham, where he is a restaurateur.
Bemis has been mentioned as an potential Republican candidate for the 2016 Oregon special gubernatorial election.
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