Laurie Monnes Anderson

Laurie Monnes Anderson (born December 31, 1945) is an American Democratic politician who most recently served in the Oregon Senate, representing District 25 in eastern Multnomah County, Oregon, including parts of the cities of Fairview, Gresham, Troutdale, and Wood Village. She previously served two terms in the Oregon House of Representatives.

Laurie Monnes Anderson
President pro tempore of the Oregon State Senate
In office
January 9, 2017 – January 11, 2021
Preceded byGinny Burdick
Succeeded byJames Manning Jr.
Member of the Oregon State Senate
from the 25th district
In office
January 10, 2005 – January 11, 2021
Preceded byJohn Minnis
Succeeded byChris Gorsek
Member of the Oregon House of Representatives
from the 50th district
In office
January 8, 2001 – January 10, 2005
Preceded byRon Sunseri
Succeeded byJohn Lim
Personal details
Born (1945-12-31) December 31, 1945 (age 78)
Coronado, California, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
EducationWillamette University (BS)
University of Colorado, Boulder (MS)
Radford University (BS)

Early life and career

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Born Laurie Monnes in Coronado, California, she grew up in Gresham, Oregon, one of four children of Bud and Ellene Groening Monnes, who were both teachers.[1][2] She graduated from Gresham High School and received a bachelor's degree in biology from Willamette University in 1968, and a master's in biology from the University of Colorado in 1972. In 1981, she earned a degree in nursing from Radford University.[1][3] She married and raised two children, divorcing in 1985.[2]

Political career

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Following a career as a public health nurse, Monnes Anderson began serving on the Gresham-Barlow School District board in 1991. In 1998, she ran for the Oregon House of Representatives representing District 22, but lost to incumbent Ron Sunseri by 250 votes.[4] In 2000, Sunseri did not seek re-election, and Monnes Anderson defeated Republican nominee Ed Golobay for the seat in a close election.[5] She was re-elected to the seat (renumbered to District 50) by a wide margin in 2002 over Ernest Hodgin.[6]

In 2004, she sought election to the Oregon Senate in District 25. In this race, she again faced Ron Sunseri, who had defeated her in her first House race in 1998. However, this time, Monnes Anderson prevailed by 9 percentage points in an expensive race.[7]

She was unopposed for her party's nomination in 2008. She defeated Republican Dave Kim in the general election.[8]

Personal

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Monnes Anderson lives in Gresham, Oregon.[1] She is a first cousin of cartoonist Matt Groening, the creator of The Simpsons. Monnes Anderson's mother, Ellene Groening Monnes, is the sister of Groening's father Homer.[9]

Electoral history

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2004 Oregon State Senator, 25th district [10]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Laurie Monnes Anderson 26,157 52.8
Republican Ron Sunseri 23,182 46.8
Write-in 158 0.3
Total votes 49,497 100%
2008 Oregon State Senator, 25th district [11]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Laurie Monnes Anderson 27,013 58.4
Republican Dave Kim 19,036 41.2
Write-in 167 0.4
Total votes 46,216 100%
2012 Oregon State Senator, 25th district [12]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Laurie Monnes Anderson 22,944 53.3
Republican Scott Hansen 18,962 44.1
Libertarian Eugene A Newell Jr 1,046 2.4
Write-in 81 0.2
Total votes 43,033 100%
2016 Oregon State Senator, 25th district [13]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Laurie Monnes Anderson 25,339 55.1
Republican Tamie Tlustos-Arnold 18,742 40.7
Libertarian Jeffrey Ricks 1,854 4.0
Write-in 75 0.2
Total votes 46,010 100%

References

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  1. ^ a b c "Senator Laurie Monnes Anderson". Oregon State Legislature. Archived from the original on December 6, 2010. Retrieved September 25, 2008.
  2. ^ a b Stine, Mara (June 14, 2008). "A daughter's care of Dad". The Outlook (Gresham). Archived from the original on August 30, 2021. Retrieved April 24, 2013.
  3. ^ "Laurie Monnes Anderson". Project VoteSmart. Archived from the original on September 30, 2010. Retrieved October 1, 2008.
  4. ^ Stern, Henry (January 4, 1999). "Concerns surround Sunseri as House Education chairman". The Oregonian.
  5. ^ Stern, Henry (November 8, 2000). "Monnes Anderson holding slim edge in House District 22". The Oregonian.
  6. ^ "How Oregon Voted". The Oregonian. November 10, 2002.
  7. ^ Trevison, Catherine (November 3, 2004). "Monnes Anderson wins pivotal state Senate seat". The Oregonian.
  8. ^ "Sign in to OregonLive.com". The Oregonian. Archived from the original on March 10, 2009. Retrieved May 23, 2009.
  9. ^ Mortenson, Eric (November 19, 2004). "Lawmaker feels void after mother's death". The Oregonian.
  10. ^ "Official Results | November 2, 2004". Oregon Secretary of State. Archived from the original on September 10, 2023. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
  11. ^ "Official Results | November 4, 2008". Oregon Secretary of State. Archived from the original on September 10, 2023. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
  12. ^ "Official Results | November 6, 2012". Oregon Secretary of State. Archived from the original on April 6, 2023. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
  13. ^ "November 8, 2016, General Election Abstract of Votes". Oregon Secretary of State. Archived from the original on January 19, 2023. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
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Oregon Senate
Preceded by President pro tempore of the Oregon Senate
2017–2021
Succeeded by