Government Period 7
11/4/14
John Kitzhaber vs Dennis Richardson John Kitzhaber was born on March 3rd, 1947 in Colfax, Washington. He moved to
Oregon with his family when he was 11 years old and graduated from South Eugene High
School in 1965. Today he lives in Salem, Oregon. He studied and received his BS at Dartmouth
College in 1969, then later got his MD at Oregon Health and Science University in 1973.
Because Kitzhaber was in the medical field he was used to helping people out with their needs, he grew an interest in public service. He was a part of many organizations throughout his life.
They include being a member of the American College of Emergency Physicians, American
Council of Young Political Leaders, Oregon Medical Association, and Physicians for Social
Responsibility. His first official role in Oregon politics was a representative for the Oregon State
House of Representatives in 1978 through 1981. Kitzhaber was an Oregon State Senate in 1985 up until 1983. He later became a governor for Oregon through the years of 1994 to 2003. Today, he is our current governor since 2010 and is up for reelection against Dennis Richardson.
Dennis Richardson, the son of a carpenter, originated in Los Angeles, California since he was born on July 30th, 1949. He moved to Southern Oregon in 1979. Before that, he was a pilot for the army with over 1000 hours in flight during war time. In 1973, he married his current wife, Cathy Coyl Richardson and have had 9 children together. He went to Brigham Young
University and received his BA in 1976 then got his JD at J. Reuben Clark Law School in 1979.
He owned his own law practice in Southern Oregon before becoming involved with politics. His first position was a treasurer for the Oregon State Republican Party in 1999 to 2003. In 2002 and still today he is a Representative for the Oregon State House of Representatives.
These two candidates running for Oregon Governor both have strong backgrounds. Each
of