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 by | Ginny Burdick |
| Succeeded by | James Manning Jr. |
| Member of the Oregon State Senate from the 25th district | |
| In office January 10, 2005 – January 11, 2021 | |
| Preceded by | John Minnis |
| Succeeded by | Chris Gorsek |
| Member of the Oregon House of Representatives from the 50th district | |
| In office January 8, 2001 – January 10, 2005 | |
| Preceded by | Ron Sunseri |
| Succeeded by | John Lim |
| Personal details | |
| Born | December 31, 1945 Coronado, California, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Education | Willamette University (BS) University of Colorado, Boulder (MS) Radford University (BS) |
Early life and career edit
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 edit
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 edit
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 edit
| 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% | ||
| 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% | ||
| 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% | ||
| 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% | ||