John Minnis
John Minnis | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Oregon House of Representatives from the 20th district | |
| In office 1985–1999 | |
| Preceded by | Pat Gillis |
| Succeeded by | Karen Minnis |
| Oregon State Senator | |
| In office 2001–2004 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | December 14, 1953 |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Karen Minnis |
| Profession | Politician, police officer |
John Minnis (born December 14, 1953) is a former Republican legislator and police officer in the U.S. state of Oregon. He was a member of both houses of the Oregon Legislative Assembly, representing eastern Multnomah County. He and his wife Karen, who was Speaker of the Oregon House of Representatives in the mid-2000s, were at one time considered the "most powerful duo in the Oregon Legislature." From 2004 to 2009 he headed the Oregon Department of Public Safety Standards and Training.
Early life
[edit]Minnis graduated Madison High School in Portland, Oregon.[1] He and Karen met there, and were married in 1972. They had three children; Karen held several jobs while raising the family, putting John through college. He studied at Portland State University, Portland Bible College, and Eastern Oregon State University;[1] he was also a jet mechanic for the United States Air Force and the Oregon Air Guard.[1]
Political career
[edit]Minnis was appointed to fill a seat in the Oregon House of Representatives in 1985, after fellow Republican Pat Gillis was recalled from office.[2] He served there until 1999, co-chairing the Ways and Means Committee in 1993, and chairing the Judiciary Committee in 1997.[1] Minnish left his seat in 1999 due to a term limits law. His wife, Karen, who had worked as his legislative aide for over a decade, won the seat he vacated.
John then won a seat in the Oregon State Senate in 2000.[1] He was chair of the House Judiciary Committee in 1997 and of the Senate Judiciary Committee in 2001 and 2003.[3] Minnis sponsored the controversial and unsuccessful Senate Bill 742, which sought to label certain acts of civil disobedience as terrorism, and impose stiff penalties.[4]
Minnis's wife, Karen Minnis, was Speaker of the Oregon House for the two following sessions. The two were called the "most powerful duo in the Oregon Legislature" in a 2003 profile in the Eugene Register-Guard.[5]
Minnis was a member of the Portland Police Bureau for 27 years. He was appointed director of the Oregon Department of Public Safety Standards and Training program by Governor Ted Kulongoski in 2004.[3] He resigned from that post amid allegations of inappropriate behavior toward a female subordinate.[6][7] The Oregon Attorney General's office stated it was unable to prove any illegal incidents took place in Oregon.[8] In December 2009, the alleged victim announced plans to file a criminal complaint against Minnis in California.[9]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e "Content Manager WebDrawer - 2000 General Election Voters Pamphlet Candidates Marion County". Archived from the original on 2023-11-03. Retrieved 2023-11-03.
- ^ Wells, Shannon (December 9, 2009). "Minnis scandal eclipses legacy: East County leaders ponder what happened to Minnis 'dynasty'". The Outlook. Gresham, Oregon. Archived from the original on February 25, 2012. Retrieved 2016-06-19.
- ^ a b Thompson, Dennis Jr. (November 25, 2009). "Public safety standards chief John Minnis steps down amid investigation: Kulongoski called for official to resign post immediately". Statesman Journal. Salem, Oregon.[permanent dead link]
- ^ Steves, David (March 21, 2003). "Anti-Terrorism Bill Sparks Public Outcry". The Register-Guard. Archived from the original on April 12, 2019.
- ^ Prengaman, Peter (June 29, 2003). "Minnis duo stands apart in Oregon Legislature". The Register-Guard. Archived from the original on March 29, 2017. Retrieved October 8, 2016.
- ^ Cole, Michelle (December 9, 2009). "Public safety chief John Minnis resigned over inappropriate behavior". The Oregonian. Archived from the original on December 17, 2009. Retrieved December 19, 2009.
- ^ Wells, Shannon (November 25, 2009). "Minnis resigns from state safety, training position". The Gresham Outlook. Archived from the original on July 19, 2011. Retrieved December 19, 2009.
- ^ Lehman, Chris (December 9, 2009). "So, Why Wasn't John Minnis Charged?". Oregon Public Broadcasting. Archived from the original on January 23, 2010. Retrieved December 19, 2009.
- ^ Jaquiss, Nigel (December 10, 2009). "Minnis' Female Accuser Will File Criminal Complaint In California". Willamette Week. Archived from the original on December 16, 2009.
