John Kitzhaber facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
John Kitzhaber
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| 35th and 37th Governor of Oregon | |
| In office January 10, 2011 – February 18, 2015 |
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| Preceded by | Ted Kulongoski |
| Succeeded by | Kate Brown |
| In office January 9, 1995 – January 13, 2003 |
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| Preceded by | Barbara Roberts |
| Succeeded by | Ted Kulongoski |
| President of the Oregon Senate | |
| In office January 3, 1985 – January 3, 1993 |
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| Preceded by | Edward Fadeley |
| Succeeded by | Bill Bradbury |
| Member of the Oregon Senate from the 23rd district |
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| In office January 12, 1981 – January 3, 1993 |
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| Preceded by | Jason Boe |
| Succeeded by | Rod Johnson |
| Member of the Oregon House of Representatives from the 45th district |
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| In office January 8, 1979 – January 12, 1981 |
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| Preceded by | Al Shaw |
| Succeeded by | Verner Anderson |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
John Albert Kitzhaber
March 5, 1947 Colfax, Washington, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouses |
Rosemary Linehan
(m. 1971; div. 1974)Sharon LaCroix
(m. 1995; div. 2003) |
| Domestic partner | Cylvia Hayes (2003–present) |
| Education | Dartmouth College (BA) Oregon Health & Science University (MD) |
John Albert Kitzhaber (born March 5, 1947) is an American former politician and doctor. He served as the governor of Oregon two times: from 1995 to 2003, and again from 2011 to 2015. He is a member of the Democratic Party. Kitzhaber holds the record for being the longest-serving governor in Oregon's history.
He started his career as an emergency doctor in Roseburg. Later, he was elected to the Oregon House of Representatives in 1978. After one term, he became an Oregon Senate member in 1980, serving until 1993. He was the Senate President from 1985 to 1993. In 1994, he was elected governor and won again in 1998. He left office in 2003. In 2010, Kitzhaber ran for governor again and won. He was reelected in 2014, becoming Oregon's longest-serving governor.
Kitzhaber resigned from office in February 2015, shortly after starting his fourth term. This happened as authorities were looking into some concerns about him and his fiancée, Cylvia Hayes. In 2017, the federal government closed its investigation without filing any charges. The Oregon ethics commission later found 10 times when Kitzhaber used his political position for his own benefit. He agreed to pay a fine of $20,000.
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Early Life and Education
John Kitzhaber was born on March 5, 1947, in Colfax, Washington. His parents were Annabel Reed and Albert Raymond Kitzhaber. He finished South Eugene High School in 1965. He then went to Dartmouth College, graduating in 1969. In 1973, he earned a medical degree from Oregon Health & Science University. From 1973 to 1986, Kitzhaber worked as an emergency doctor in Roseburg, Oregon.
Political Journey
Starting in the Legislature
Kitzhaber began his political career in 1978. He was elected to the Oregon House of Representatives and served one term there. In 1980, he was elected to the Oregon State Senate. He served three terms in the Senate, from 1981 to 1993. During this time, he was the President of the Senate from 1985 to 1993. As Senate President, he played a key role in creating the state's government-funded health care plan, known as the Oregon Health Plan.
First Two Terms as Governor (1995–2003)
In 1994, Kitzhaber won the Democratic nomination for governor. The current governor, Barbara Roberts, decided not to run again. Kitzhaber won the main election in November 1994 with 51% of the votes. He was sworn into office on January 9, 1995.
During his first term, Kitzhaber started the Oregon Children's Plan. This plan aimed to find and help children and families who were facing difficulties. He later expressed regret about decisions made regarding the death penalty, which he personally opposed.
In 1998, Kitzhaber ran for reelection and won by a large margin. He received 64% of the votes. During his second term, he focused on natural resources. He created "The Oregon Plan for Salmon and Watersheds." This plan aimed to help bring back the numbers of threatened salmon in Oregon's rivers. The plan encouraged different government groups and private landowners to work together. Kitzhaber also supported protecting farmland and managing urban growth. He created groups like the Governor's Growth Task Force to help develop sustainable communities.
Oregon's constitution did not allow Kitzhaber to run for a third term right away in 2002. Ted Kulongoski, another Democrat, became governor after him.
Time Away from Governorship (2003–2011)
After his first time as governor, Kitzhaber worked at the Center for Evidence Based Policy at the Oregon Health & Science University. He also led other medical and health care organizations. He started a health care advocacy group called the Archimedes Movement.
Third Term as Governor (2011–2015)
In September 2009, Kitzhaber announced he would run for governor again. He won the Democratic primary election in May 2010. In the main election, he ran against Chris Dudley, a former NBA player. Kitzhaber won a close election.
He was sworn in for his third term as Governor of Oregon on January 10, 2011. This was the first time Oregon used a new system where a candidate could be nominated by more than one political party. Kitzhaber was nominated by both the Democratic Party and the Independent Party of Oregon.
In 2011, Kitzhaber announced that he would not allow any executions to happen in Oregon while he was governor. He called the system of issuing death sentences "compromised and unfair." In 2012, Rolling Stone magazine recognized Kitzhaber as one of "The Quiet Ones: 12 Leaders Who Get Things Done." They mentioned his decision to stop executions in Oregon as an example of effective government.
Kitzhaber oversaw the launch of Cover Oregon, the state's health insurance website. However, the website had problems. He was also disappointed when a large bridge project, the Columbia River Crossing, did not move forward.
Fourth Term as Governor (2015)
Kitzhaber ran for reelection in 2014. He won against Dennis Richardson, a Republican state representative. His campaign faced some questions about the problems with Cover Oregon and the activities of his fiancée, Cylvia Hayes.
Kitzhaber was sworn in for his fourth term on January 12, 2015. He said this would be his last term as governor. He wanted to focus on reducing inequality in Oregon during his final years in office.
Life After Governorship
John Kitzhaber is currently the director of the Center for Evidence Based Policy at Oregon Health & Science University in Portland, Oregon. He also holds a special position on health care policy at The Foundation for Medical Excellence. This foundation creates educational programs for doctors. Kitzhaber is also the president of the Estes Park Institute, which provides ongoing education for health care leaders.
In 2006, Kitzhaber announced the Archimedes Movement. This group aims to improve the health of everyone by creating a system where public money for health care ensures that everyone can get good health services. A plan based on this idea was introduced in the Oregon legislature in 2007, but it did not pass completely.
Personal Life
John Kitzhaber is of German descent. He married Rosemary Linehan in 1971, and they divorced in 1974. He married Sharon LaCroix in 1995, and they had one son, Logan, born in 1997. They divorced in 2003.
Kitzhaber lives with his fiancée Cylvia Hayes, who started an environmental consulting company. They announced their engagement in August 2014.
During his political career, Kitzhaber became known for wearing blue jeans at public events. When he wore jeans to his inauguration in 1995, it caused a small stir. He also often avoided wearing a necktie, preferring a button-down shirt and suit jacket without one.
Kitzhaber lives and works in Portland, Oregon. He chose not to use the official governor's residence, Mahonia Hall, in Salem, Oregon, during his time as governor.
See also
- List of governors of Oregon
- Governorship of John Kitzhaber
