Ted Kulongoski facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ted Kulongoski
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| 36th Governor of Oregon | |
| In office January 13, 2003 – January 10, 2011 |
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| Preceded by | John Kitzhaber |
| Succeeded by | John Kitzhaber |
| Justice of the Oregon Supreme Court | |
| In office January 4, 1997 – June 18, 2001 |
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| Preceded by | Richard Unis |
| Succeeded by | Thomas Balmer |
| 14th Attorney General of Oregon | |
| In office January 4, 1993 – January 4, 1997 |
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| Governor | Barbara Roberts John Kitzhaber |
| Preceded by | Charles Crookham |
| Succeeded by | Hardy Myers |
| Member of the Oregon Senate from the 22nd district |
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| In office August 2, 1977 – January 10, 1983 |
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| Preceded by | Elizabeth Browne |
| Succeeded by | William Frye |
| Member of the Oregon House of Representatives from the 43rd district |
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| In office January 13, 1975 – August 2, 1977 |
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| Preceded by | David Stults |
| Succeeded by | Clinton Boehringer |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Theodore Ralph Kulongoski
November 5, 1940 St. Louis, Missouri, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Mary Oberst |
| Children | 3 |
| Education | University of Missouri (BA, JD) |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Branch/service |  United States Marine Corps |
Theodore Ralph Kulongoski (born November 5, 1940) is an American politician, judge, and lawyer. He served as the 36th Governor of Oregon from 2003 to 2011. He is a member of the Democratic Party.
Before becoming governor, he worked in different parts of Oregon's government. He was a member of both the Oregon House of Representatives and the Oregon Senate. He also served as the state's Insurance Commissioner. From 1993 to 1997, he was the Oregon Attorney General, and from 1997 to 2001, he was a justice on the Oregon Supreme Court. This means Kulongoski has worked in all three main parts of Oregon's state government: the law-making part, the law-enforcing part, and the court system.
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Early Life and Education
Kulongoski was born in St. Louis, Missouri, in 1940. His father passed away when Ted was only one year old. He spent most of his childhood living in a boys' home.
After finishing high school, Kulongoski joined the Marines. Thanks to the G.I. Bill, which helps veterans pay for college, he went to the University of Missouri. He earned his first degree and then a law degree from the University of Missouri School of Law in 1970.
Career Highlights
After law school, Kulongoski moved to Eugene, Oregon. He became a labor lawyer, helping workers with their legal rights.
In 1974, he was elected to the Oregon House of Representatives. Later, in 1978, he was elected to the Oregon State Senate. He ran for the U.S. Senate in 1980 but did not win. In 1982, he tried to become governor for the first time, but he was not successful.
In 1987, Oregon's Governor Neil Goldschmidt chose Kulongoski to be the state's insurance commissioner. In this job, Kulongoski made important changes to the system that helps workers who get hurt on the job. These changes helped lower costs for businesses.
Attorney General and Supreme Court
In 1992, Kulongoski was elected as Oregon Attorney General. This role means he was the state's chief legal officer. As Attorney General, he worked on improving the system for young people who get into trouble with the law.
In 1996, Kulongoski decided not to run for Attorney General again. Instead, he successfully ran for a position on the Oregon Supreme Court. He served as a justice on the state's highest court until 2001. He left the court to run for governor again.
Becoming Governor in 2002
In 2002, Ted Kulongoski won the election to become the 36th Governor of Oregon. He ran a campaign focused on solving problems and bringing people together. He promised a practical way to deal with the state's money problems and high unemployment (when many people don't have jobs).
Kulongoski won the election with 49% of the votes. He took office on January 13, 2003. As governor, he had to deal with a large budget deficit (when the government spends more money than it takes in). He also had to fix problems with the public employees' pension system, which provides retirement money.
Re-election in 2006
On May 16, 2006, Kulongoski won the Democratic primary election, which meant he would be the party's candidate for governor again. He then faced several opponents in the main election.
On November 7, 2006, Kulongoski won a second term as governor. He received 51% of the votes, showing that Oregonians wanted him to continue leading the state.
Second Term as Governor
During his second term, Governor Kulongoski worked on important issues. In 2007, he helped make it clear that Oregon would focus on reducing greenhouse gas emissions to fight climate change. He wanted the state to have a clear message about protecting the environment.
Kulongoski also joined a campaign called the "food stamp challenge" in 2007. This challenge showed how hard it is to live on the small amount of money people get for food stamps. This helped bring attention to the struggles of families with low incomes.
He also signed two important bills into law in May 2007. These laws supported LGBT rights, including allowing domestic partnerships and protecting people from discrimination.
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In May 2010, Kulongoski had a minor eye issue that required surgery. He recovered well.
After Being Governor
After his time as governor ended in 2011, Ted Kulongoski continued to be involved in public service. He was appointed to the Public Safety Commission to review Oregon's sentencing rules for crimes. In 2012, he joined the faculty at Portland State University, where he taught in the Mark O. Hatfield School of Government.
Images for kids
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Ted Kulongoski
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Kulongoski early in his career
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Ted Kulongoski in 2009
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Kulongoski signing the Jobs and Transportation Act, 2009
