Rob Wagner (politician)

Rob Wagner
56th President of the Oregon Senate
Incumbent
Assumed office
January 9, 2023
Preceded byPeter Courtney
Majority Leader of the Oregon Senate
In office
May 22, 2020 – January 9, 2023
Preceded byGinny Burdick
Succeeded byKate Lieber
Member of the Oregon Senate
from the 19th district
Incumbent
Assumed office
January 29, 2018
Preceded byRichard Devlin
Personal details
Born (1973-01-10) January 10, 1973 (age 51)
Political partyDemocratic
SpouseLaurie
Children4
EducationWesleyan University
Portland State University (BA)
George Washington University (MPP)
Signature
Websitehttps://www.robwagnerfororegon.com
Rob Wagner's voice
Wagner speaks on a bill in the 80th Oregon Legislative Assembly
Recorded March 6, 2020

Robert Arnold Wagner (born January 10, 1973) is an American Democratic politician currently serving as President of the Oregon State Senate. He represents the 19th district, which includes the cities of Durham, Lake Oswego, Rivergrove, Tualatin, West Linn, parts of southwest Portland and Tigard, as well as unincorporated parts of southwestern Clackamas County, eastern Washington County, and southern Multnomah County.

Early life and education

Wagner grew up in Lake Oswego and graduated from Lake Oswego High School.[1] He studied at Wesleyan University and graduated from Portland State University with a degree in political science. He earned a masters in public policy from George Washington University.[2]

Career

He served as a director of political and legislative affairs for the American Federation of Teachers and was associate vice-president for advancement at Portland Community College, overseeing the foundation, marketing and public relations.[2]

In December 2017, Wagner announced he left Portland Community College.[3]

School Board

In May 2017, Wagner ran unopposed and was elected to the Lake Oswego School Board.[4] In July 2019, he was elected by the school board as its chair for a one-year term.[5] In May 2020, he announced that he would resign from the school board on June 22, 2020, citing demands of work required by his new position as the majority leader of the Oregon Senate.[6]

State Senate

In January 2018, Wagner was appointed to fill the vacancy in District 19 of the Oregon Senate created when Richard Devlin was appointed to the Northwest Power and Conservation Council. Wagner continued his service on the school board while in the Senate.[1]

In the 2018 Oregon legislative election, he defeated Republican David Poulson to earn a full Senate term.[1][3][7]

In the Senate, Wagner served as chair of the Senate Education Committee.[8]

Wagner was elected Senate Majority Leader in May 2020.[9]

Personal life

Wagner lives with his wife and children in Lake Oswego.[1][9]

Electoral history

2018 Oregon State Senator, 19th district[10]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Rob Wagner 47,521 65.5
Republican David C Poulson 24,913 34.3
Write-in 116 0.2
Total votes 72,550 100%
2022 Oregon State Senator, 19th district[11]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Rob Wagner 48,309 66.0
Republican Ben Edtl 24,767 33.9
Write-in 85 0.1
Total votes 73,161 100%

References

  1. ^ a b c d "Lake Oswegan seeks Devlin's seat in Senate". Lake Oswego Review. October 24, 2017. Archived from the original on January 30, 2018. Retrieved January 29, 2018.
  2. ^ a b Hill, James (September 2014). "Wagner takes the reins of PCC's College Advancement". Portland Community College. Archived from the original on January 30, 2018. Retrieved January 29, 2018.
  3. ^ a b Macuk, Anthony (January 29, 2018). "Lake Oswego's Rob Wagner picked to replace Devlin in State Senate". Lake Oswego Review. Archived from the original on January 30, 2018. Retrieved January 29, 2018.
  4. ^ Daley, Jillian (May 25, 2017). "Pocklington, Wagner reflect on election's mandate for change". Lake Oswego Review. Archived from the original on January 30, 2018. Retrieved January 29, 2018.
  5. ^ Holley, Claire (July 16, 2019). "School board elects Rob Wagner to chair". Lake Oswego Review. Retrieved May 28, 2020.[permanent dead link‍]
  6. ^ Alvarez Zeller, Asia (May 26, 2020). "Rob Wagner to step down from Lake Oswego School Board". Lake Oswego Review. Archived from the original on September 28, 2020. Retrieved May 28, 2020.
  7. ^ Stites, Sam (November 6, 2018). "Rob Wagner wins full term in SD19". Lake Oswego Review. Archived from the original on September 27, 2019. Retrieved September 26, 2019.
  8. ^ "Wagner: And how are the children?". Beaverton Valley Times. February 6, 2020. Archived from the original on September 18, 2020. Retrieved May 28, 2020.
  9. ^ a b Wong, Peter (May 22, 2020). "Rob Wagner chosen as new majority leader of the Oregon Senate". Pamplin Media Group. Archived from the original on June 15, 2020. Retrieved May 23, 2020.
  10. ^ "November 6, 2018, General Election Abstract of Votes". Oregon Secretary of State. Archived from the original on April 6, 2023. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
  11. ^ "November 8, 2022, General Election Abstract of Votes" (PDF). Oregon Secretary of State. Archived (PDF) from the original on June 12, 2023. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
Oregon Senate
Preceded by Majority Leader of the Oregon Senate
2020–2023 		Succeeded by
Political offices
Preceded by President of the Oregon Senate
2023–present 		Incumbent