Ronald L. Saxton (born 1954) is an
American lawyer and Republican politician in Oregon
. A
native of Oregon, his first public office was with the Portland
Public Schools Board. He has run twice for
Governor of Oregon, losing in the 2002
primary election, and winning the Republican nomination in 2006,
but losing in the general election.
Early life and career
Saxton was
born in Albany,
Oregon
in 1954. He graduated from Albany High School in 1972, earned a
bachelors degree from Willamette University
in 1976, and a juris
doctor at from University of Virginia School of
Law
in 1979.
Saxton helped to co-found the Ater Wynne law firm in 1990. From
1990 to 2000 he served as the chairman of the firm. In 1997, he was
elected to the
Portland
Public Schools Board serving through 2001, and served as its
Chair from 1998-2000.
Saxton was also the founding president of the Portland Schools
Foundation, a community-based organization that has raised over $30
million in private contributions in Oregon's largest school
district. He has also chaired the Strategic Planning committee of
the Cascade Pacific Council of the Boy Scouts, co-chaired the
Oregon Higher Education Roundtable, and served on the board of the
Saturday Academy, a science and math mentoring program for Oregon's
youth.
Saxton is married to Lynne Hume Saxton, also a fourth generation
Oregonian, and together they have one son, Andy. The Saxton family
are adherents to the
Presbyterian
faith.
Political aspirations
2002 run for Governor
In 2002, Saxton unsuccessfully sought the Republican nomination for
Governor of Oregon. He placed
third in the primary behind
Kevin
Mannix and
Jack
Roberts.
2006 Gubernatorial nomination
On
March 23,
2005,
Saxton announced that he would again seek the Republican nomination
for Governor in 2006. Kevin Mannix also ran again, and State
Senator
Jason Atkinson ran a strong
campaign as well. Toward the end of the primary, Saxton and Mannix
launched a series of negative ads toward each other.
Saxton won the Republican Primary for Governor of Oregon on
May 16, 2006 with 43% of the vote, versus
Mannix's 30% and Atkinson's 22%.
On November 7, 2006, Saxton was defeated by Democratic
incumbent Ted
Kulongoski.
Following the election, Saxton announced he was unlikely to run for
political office again.
See also
References
External links
Wikis
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