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Vic Gilliam
Vic Gilliam.jpg
c. 1986
Member of the Oregon House of Representatives
from the 18th district
In office
January 8, 2007 – January 30, 2017
Preceded by Mac Sumner
Succeeded by Rick Lewis
Personal details
Born (1953-07-21)July 21, 1953
Dover, Ohio, U.S.
Died June 17, 2020(2020-06-17) (aged 66)
Political party Republican
Spouse Becky
Children 2
Education

Victor Stephen Gilliam (July 21, 1953 – June 17, 2020) was an American politician and actor who served as a member of the Oregon House of Representatives from 2007 to 2017. A member of the Republican Party, Gilliam resigned in 2017 due to health problems.

After serving as a legislative aide from 1976 to 1981, he unsuccessfully ran for a seat in the Oregon House of Representatives. In 2007, he was appointed to fill the vacancy created by Mac Sumner's resignation and served until his own resignation in 2017. Gilliam was also an actor who appeared in multiple television shows.

Early life and education

Victor S. Gilliam was born on July 21, 1953 in Dover, Ohio. In 1975, he graduated from Warner Pacific University with a Bachelor of Arts degree. He then earned a Master of Education from the University of South Carolina in 1982. On May 14, 2016, he was awarded an honorary Doctor of Law degree.

Career

From 1976 to 1981, Gilliam worked as a legislative aide to United States Senator Mark Hatfield. In 1980, he criticized President Jimmy Carter's support for military registration of people aged 19 and 20 as "a quick fix, a reaction, a hysterical voice saying that something has to be done." Gilliam was an actor and a member of the Screen Actors Guild. From 1984 to 1985, he served as the director of alumni relations at Willamette University.

Oregon House of Representatives

Vic Gilliam 1986 state house logo
Vic Gilliam's 1986 state house campaign logo

Elections

During the 1986 elections Gilliam ran for the Republican nomination for the Oregon House of Representatives from the 31st district. During the campaign he was endorsed by the Statesman Journal editorial board. In the Republican primary he was defeated by Al Riebel.

In 1987, Gilliam announced that he would seek the Republican nomination in the 31st district, but was defeated by Gene Derfler.

In 2006, state Representative Mac Sumner announced his resignation due to his lung cancer. On December 27, Gilliam was selected to replace Sumner as representative from the 18th district by the county commissioners of Marion and Clackamas counties.

Tenure

On January 8, 2007, Gilliam was sworn into the Oregon House of Representatives and was appointed to serve on the consumer protection, and the human services and women's wellness committee during the 2007–2009 legislative session.

In 2007, Gilliam voted against legislation that would allow domestic partnerships for same-sex couples, and legislation that would prohibit discrimination against LGBT people in housing, employment, and access to public places. In 2013, he was one of five Republicans in the House of Representatives to vote in favor of allowing illegal immigrants to receive driver licenses.

Death

In 2014, Gilliam and Brian Clem participated in the Ice Bucket Challenge to raise donations for research into amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. In November 2015, he was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. On January 30, 2017, Gilliam resigned from the House of Representatives due to the symptoms of the disease worsening. Gilliam died on June 17, 2020, aged 66.

Filmography

Title Year Role Notes Ref.
Nowhere Man 1996 Good-looking cop
Follow the Prophet 2009 Film
Portlandia 2016 Episode: "Going Gray"
Leverage 2019 Baseball team owner

Electoral history

Vic Gilliam electoral history
2008 Oregon House of Representatives 13th district Republican primary
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Vic Gilliam 2,100 100.00%
Total votes 2,100 100.00%
2008 Oregon House of Representatives 13th district election
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Vic Gilliam 13,737 56.09%
Democratic Jim Gilbert 10,755 43.91%
Total votes 24,492 100.00%
2010 Oregon House of Representatives 13th district election
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Vic Gilliam 11,339 63.19%
Democratic Rodney E. Orr 6,213 34.62%
Libertarian Martin Soehrman 393 2.19%
Total votes 17,945 100.00%
2012 Oregon House of Representatives 13th district election
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Vic Gilliam 14,399 100.00%
Total votes 14,399 100.00%
2014 Oregon House of Representatives 13th district election
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Vic Gilliam 11,581 66.30%
Democratic Scott A. Mills 5,886 33.70%
Total votes 17,467 100.00%
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