Ted Wheeler

Ted Wheeler
Mayor of Portland Elect
Taking office January 1, 2017
Succeeding	Charlie Hales
Treasurer of Oregon
Incumbent
Assumed office March 11, 2010
Governor	Ted Kulongoski John Kitzhaber Kate Brown
Preceded by	Ben Westlund
Succeeded by	Tobias Read (Elect)
Chair of the County Commission of Multnomah County
In office 2007–2010
Preceded by	Diane Linn
Succeeded by	Jeff Cogen
Personal details
Born	Edward Tevis Wheeler (1962-08-31) August 31, 1962 Portland, Oregon, U.S.
Political party	Democratic
Spouse(s)	Katrina Maley
Alma mater	Stanford University (BA) Columbia University (MBA) Harvard University (MPP)
Signature
Website	Government website

Edward Tevis "Ted" Wheeler (born August 31, 1962) is an American politician from Oregon. He was appointed Oregon State Treasurer on March 9, 2010, to replace Ben Westlund, who died in office, and was subsequently elected to a full term in 2012. He is a member of the Democratic Party.^[1]

Wheeler is currently first in line to the governorship, due to the appointment of Jeanne Atkins as secretary of state. Under the Oregon Constitution, appointed officials are not included in the line of succession.^[2]

In 2015, Wheeler entered the race to succeed Charlie Hales as Mayor of Portland, and won the primary vote in May 2016 with greater than 50% of the vote, avoiding a runoff election in November.

Early life and education

A sixth-generation Oregonian, Wheeler was born in Portland, Oregon, where he attended Portland Public Schools, including graduation from Lincoln High School.^[3] He received a bachelor's degree in Economics from Stanford University in 1985. He also earned an MBA from Columbia University and a masters in public policy from Harvard University.^[4] Wheeler worked for several financial services companies, including the Bank of America and Copper Mountain Trust.^[1]

Political career

In 2006, Wheeler defeated incumbent Multnomah County chair Diane Linn to become chairman of the Multnomah County Board of Commissioners,^[5] taking office in January 2007.

Multnomah County Commissioner

Shortly after his election as Chair of the Multnomah County Board of Commissioners, Wheeler worked with his colleagues to balance a county budget that had called for $22.3 million in cuts in 2009.^[6] Wheeler also fought to preserve social safety net programs ^[7] and to protect vulnerable Oregonians from predatory financial tactics by eliminating hidden fees from state-issued debit cards ^[8]

Following the loss of nearly $16 million in Oregon Common School Fund and Oregon Public Employees Retirement Fund investments, Wheeler co-filed a class-action lawsuit with Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum to recover the money after firms misled investors.^[9]

Building, preserving and updating public space and infrastructure was also a critical focus during Wheeler's time as County Commissioner. Wheeler led efforts to construct new libraries in Kenton ^[10] and Troutdale^[11] and also establish the new East County Courthouse construction project.^[12] In addition, Wheeler fought hard to fund the crumbling Sellwood Bridge.^[13]

Further, Wheeler led the county in becoming the first municipality in Oregon to Ban the Box, which reduces employment discrimination for residents with a criminal record.^[14]

State Treasurer

Wheeler in 2012

Wheeler at the 2010 Pendleton Round-Up parade

On March 7, 2010, incumbent Oregon State Treasurer Ben Westlund died of lung cancer. Two days later, Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski appointed Wheeler to fill Westlund's seat. Wheeler defeated fellow Democrat Rick Metsger in the Democratic primary election on May 18, 2010,^[15] and subsequently defeated Republican Chris Telfer, Progressive Walt Brown and Michael Marsh of the Constitution Party in a special election in November that determined that Wheeler would complete the rest of Westlund's term, which was set to expire in 2013.^[16] He won election to a second full term in 2012.

As Oregon Treasurer, Wheeler has practiced aggressive financial management, achieving more than $172 million in cash flow savings since 2013. Wheeler also promoted environmental stewardship as State Treasurer, committing to doubling Oregon’s investments in renewable energy resources by January 2020, and double them again by 2030, while also pledging not to pursue new investments in coal.^[17] In addition, Wheeler also promoted the use of ESG (Environmental Social Governance) for all state investments to improve long-term performance, while also urging the Securities and Exchange Commission to institute tougher reviews of carbon asset risk disclosures from 45 major corporations.^[18]

Wheeler also was the chair of the Oregon Retirement Savings Task Force, working to help all Portland residents save for retirement^[19] and also grew Oregon's pension fund to more than $72 billion today, one of the five strongest state pension funds in the United States.^[20]

Portland mayoral campaign

Ted Wheeler's campaign logo

Wheeler launched a run for Mayor on October 14, 2015.^[20] He has pledged to create a new era of openness and accountability in City Hall, ending backroom deals and making government more transparent while being responsive to the needs of all residents, particularly communities that have been historically marginalized by city government.^[21]

Wheeler has campaigned on addressing income inequality, ensuring an affordable Portland for all ages and building an open, inclusive and honest government. During his announcement speech, Wheeler promised to build a government that worked "for every person."^[22]

"Taking care of those in need. Taking responsibility for protecting our environment. Taking action right now to close the gap between our wealthiest and poorest residents by providing economic opportunity for lower-income and middle-income families. Equal access to our government for every person. Understanding that every dollar we spend came from a taxpayer and we need show our respect for how hard that taxpayer worked to earn those dollars by spending them wisely. These are the authentic values of Portland. And these are my values."

— Ted Wheeler

In October 2015, former Mayors of Portland Vera Katz, Tom Potter, and Sam Adams endorsed Wheeler for the office.^[23][24] Gresham Mayor Shane Bemis endorsed Wheeler, as did State Representatives Lew Frederick and Tobias Read and former State Senators Ron Cease, Jane Cease, and Avel Gordly, as well as 2012 mayoral candidate Eileen Brady.^[25][26]

Wheeler has also been endorsed by several groups including Basic Rights Oregon, the Portland Business Alliance, and the Columbia Pacific Building Trades Council.^[26]

On May 17, Wheeler garnered more than 50% of the vote in the primary election, winning the race and avoiding a runoff in November.^[27][28]

Ted Wheeler speaks to supporters at a campaign event

Political positions

Education

As Treasurer, Wheeler relaunched the Oregon College Savings Program, which reached a record $2.3 billion in January 2015. The 529 savings plan allows money saved for college to grow tax free, and gives the donor a deduction on their taxable income.^[29]

Environmental issues

Ted Wheeler is a staunch proponent of increasing Oregon's investments in renewable energy funds. He commissioned a study to determine whether or not Oregon can replace fossil fuel companies in its fixed income portfolio. Wheeler does not support new coal investments.^[30] Wheeler was the first Mayoral candidate to vocally support the City of Portland's ban on expanding fossil fuel infrastructure.^[31]

Gun control

Ted Wheeler with Jennifer Williamson at the Portland Orange Walk for victims of gun violence at Peninsula Park

Wheeler advocates for increased gun control, and supports requiring rigorous background checks for people aspiring to own guns.^[32]

LGBT rights

Ted Wheeler & family at PRISM Pride Parade

Wheeler and his wife Katrina are involved with Basic Rights Oregon, with Wheeler winning their Fighting Spirit Award in 2008 following his executive order in 2007 which enacted full healthcare benefits for transgender workers. Wheeler has been endorsed by that group as a pro-equality candidate.^[33] Wheeler signed and supported the 2013 Oregon United for Marriage initiative.^[34]

Reproductive rights

Ted Wheeler advocates for abortion rights and access to reproductive healthcare. Ted and Katrina Wheeler were honorary chairs for Planned Parenthood's 50th Anniversary Gala.^[35] Wheeler has actively donated and raised funds for Planned Parenthood.^[36]

Public safety

Wheeler has spoken out against a provision in the Portland Police Association's contract that has been coined the "48 hour rule." The provision gives officers who have employed deadly force a 48-hour buffer before they are required to answer questions. Wheeler publicly stated this provision should be abolished.^[37]

Personal life

Ted Wheeler at Arch Cape's Polar Plunge on New Year's Day

Ted Wheeler is a sixth-generation Oregonian who was born in Portland. After graduating from Lincoln High School in Portland's Goose Hollow neighborhood, Wheeler volunteered at the Goose Hollow Shelter as an overnight host before moving on to earn degrees from Stanford University (Economics), Columbia University (Masters of Business Administration), and the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University (Masters in Public Policy).

Wheeler has devoted his time and talents to numerous diverse organizations including Neighborhood House, Portland Mountain Rescue and the Oregon Sports Authority. He has snowshoed to the North Pole, climbed Mount Everest and competed in Ironman triathlons.

Wheeler lives in Southwest Portland with his wife and daughter. An Eagle Scout and avid outdoorsman,^[38] he summited Mount Everest in 2002.^[39]

Electoral history

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Ted Wheeler.

• Campaign website

Current statewide political officials of Oregon
U.S. Senators	Ron Wyden Jeff Merkley
State government	Kate Brown, Governor Jeanne Atkins, Secretary of State Ellen Rosenblum, Attorney General Brad Avakian, Labor Commissioner Ted Wheeler, Treasurer
Senate	Peter Courtney, President Diane Rosenbaum, President pro tempore Ginny Burdick, Majority Leader Ted Ferrioli, Minority Leader
House	Tina Kotek, Speaker Tobias Read, Speaker pro tempore Jennifer Williamson, Majority Leader Mike McLane, Minority Leader
Supreme Court (elected)	Tom Balmer, Chief Justice Rives Kistler Martha Walters Jack Landau Richard Baldwin David Brewer Lynn Nakamoto