Mary Therese Nolan (born November 28, 1954) is a Democratic politician from the U.S. state of Oregon. She represented District 36 (formerly District 11) in the Oregon House of Representatives from 2001 to 2013, and served as the majority leader from 2008 to 2010. She ran unsuccessfully for the Portland City Council in 2012. She came back into office in 2020, when she was elected as one of the councilors for the Portland-area regional government, Metro.
Mary Nolan | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Metro Councilor from the 5th district | |
| Assumed office January 4, 2021 | |
| Preceded by | Sam Chase |
| Majority Leader of the Oregon House of Representatives | |
| In office January 2009 – January 2011 | |
| Preceded by | Dave Hunt |
| Succeeded by | Kevin Cameron Dave Hunt |
| Member of the Oregon House of Representatives from the 36th district | |
| In office January 2001 – January 2013 | |
| Preceded by | Anitra Rasmussen |
| Succeeded by | Jennifer Williamson |
| Personal details | |
| Born | November 28, 1954 Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Mark Gardiner |
| Education | Dartmouth College (BA) |
| Signature |  |
Personal life and education edit
Nolan was born in Chicago, Illinois.[1][2] She is married to Mark Gardiner with one child.[3]
Nolan was in the first class of women admitted into Dartmouth College,[4] from which she graduated magna cum laude in mathematics.[4]
Following her defeat in the 2012 race for the Portland City Council, Nolan was a finalist for a position with Planned Parenthood, and was then hired in 2013 as a vice president at FamilyCare, a Medicare and Medicaid managed-care provider in Portland.[5]
Political career edit
Nolan was first elected to the Oregon House of Representatives in 2000. Upon winning her second term in 2002, she was named as assistant Democratic leadership.[6] Before the 2009 legislative session, Dave Hunt, the then-majority leader, was elected speaker of the Oregon House of Representatives.[7] The Democratic Caucus then elected Nolan as the new majority leader.[7] She was the House Majority Leader in the Oregon House of Representatives from November 2008 until November 2010. In November 2010, the House Democratic Caucus did not re-elect Nolan to any leadership position.
According to The Oregonian, as of 2010 Nolan voted with Democrats 96.77% of the time, and had a 1.08% absence record.[8] After Nolan voted "no" on House Bill 2001, which would have increased transportation taxes by $300 million a year in 2009, The Oregonian reported that the move could mean that Nolan may have been planning to run for another public office like Mayor of Portland or City Council because of what it meant for environmentalists who had opposed the transportation bill.[9]
Nolan ran for a seat on the Portland City Council in May 2012, challenging incumbent commissioner Amanda Fritz.[10] Fritz won the runoff election in November 2012.[11]
In 2020, Nolan ran in and won the election to serve a four-year term as the 5th district councilor for Metro, the multi-faceted regional government for the Portland metropolitan area.[12] She advanced from the primary on May 19, 2020, and faced Chris Smith in a runoff in the general election. Nolan won with 61% of the vote to Smith's 37%. District 5 covers much of north, northeast, and northwest Portland.
Committee assignments edit
2009 Regular Session
- Conference Committee On HB 2227, Chair
- Land Use Committee, Chair
- Legislative Administration Committee
- Rules Committee
- Session Schedule Committee
Issues edit
Firearms edit
On March 14, 2003, Nolan introduced a bill that would make it a crime to possess a gun while on a public bus.[13]
Electoral history edit
Oregon House of Representatives, 11th district, 2000[14]
- Mary Nolan (D) – 18,008
- Joan Gardner (R) – 7,752
Oregon House of Representatives, 36th district, 2002[15]
- Mary Nolan (D) – 16,092
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Mary Nolan | 25,876 | 86.6 | |
| Libertarian | H. Joe Tabor | 3,684 | 12.3 | |
| Write-in | 308 | 1.0 | ||
| Total votes | 29,868 | 100% | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Mary Nolan | 20,344 | 84.8 | |
| Libertarian | Frank Dane | 3,520 | 14.7 | |
| Write-in | 137 | 0.6 | ||
| Total votes | 24,001 | 100% | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Mary Nolan | 25,939 | 81.2 | |
| Republican | Steve Oppenheim | 4,738 | 14.8 | |
| Libertarian | Jay A Ellefson | 1,162 | 3.6 | |
| Write-in | 100 | 0.3 | ||
| Total votes | 31,939 | 100% | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Mary Nolan | 21,407 | 78.5 | |
| Republican | Diane Schendel | 5,776 | 21.2 | |
| Write-in | 78 | 0.3 | ||
| Total votes | 27,261 | 100% | ||
Endorsements edit
- 2008: Willamette Week[20]
Other activities edit
In the 2010 election for governor of Oregon, Nolan endorsed John Kitzhaber, the Democratic former Governor of Oregon.[21] The Kitzhaber campaign released this statement:
John Kitzhaber is a tested leader. No one else comes close to matching the depth of his experience as a doctor, legislator and Governor. He brings exactly the perspective and problem-solving skills that Oregon needs during this challenging time. Just as important as his experience are John's values and integrity. He will always do what's in the best interest of Oregon, and will show us how we can make Oregon so much stronger when we look beyond selfish concerns.
— Mary Nolan, on her endorsement for John Kitzhaber, February 3, 2010: John Kitzhaber for Governor 2010[21]
References edit
- ^ Jarvisd (January 12, 2009). "She Flies With Her Own Wings: Oregon's Legislative Leaders". Daily Kos. Archived from the original on June 6, 2011. Retrieved March 2, 2010.
- ^ "Official Profile: Oregon (OR) State Representative Mary Nolan OR House of Representatives". freedomspeaks.com. 2010. Archived from the original on July 11, 2011. Retrieved March 2, 2010.
- ^ "Mary Nolan". Democratic Party of Oregon. Archived from the original on February 18, 2015. Retrieved February 17, 2015.
- ^ a b "Representative Mary Nolan Biography". Oregon House of Representatives. leg.state.or.us. Archived from the original on December 6, 2010. Retrieved February 23, 2010.
- ^ Jaquiss, Nigel (April 1, 2013). "Former Rep. Mary Nolan Lands At FamilyCare". Willamette Week. Archived from the original on December 18, 2014. Retrieved December 18, 2014.
- ^ "House Democrats pick leaders". Register-Guard. November 11, 2002. Archived from the original on November 1, 2023. Retrieved April 21, 2016.
- ^ a b "Hunt Will Be House Democrats' Nominee For Speaker" (PDF). Oregon House of Representatives. leg.state.or.us. Archived from the original (PDF) on December 7, 2010. Retrieved February 23, 2010.
- ^ "House Majority Leader:Mary Nolan". The Oregonian. Portland, Oregon: Advance Publications. Archived from the original on March 10, 2010. Retrieved February 23, 2010.
- ^ Mapes, Jeff (May 28, 2009). "Nolan's "no vote" causes Salem stir". The Oregonian. Portland, Oregon: Advance Publications. Archived from the original on September 21, 2012. Retrieved February 25, 2010.
- ^ Axtman, Carla (July 5, 2011). "Portland City Council: Mary Nolan is in, facing off against Amanda Fritz". BlueOregon. Archived from the original on July 6, 2011. Retrieved July 5, 2011.
- ^ Schmidt, Brad (November 6, 2012). "Portland City Council: Amanda Fritz defeats Mary Nolan, election results show". The Oregonian. Portland, Oregon: Advance Publications. Archived from the original on March 30, 2018. Retrieved March 30, 2019.
- ^ "Mary Nolan Wins Metro Council Race Against Chris Smith". Archived from the original on December 9, 2020. Retrieved December 9, 2020.
- ^ "Legislative Update: Bill to outlaw guns on buses". theworldlink.com. Associated Press. March 14, 2003. Archived from the original on November 1, 2023. Retrieved February 25, 2010.
- ^ "State Representative, 11th District, 2000". Oregon Secretary of State. sos.state.or.us. Archived from the original on April 6, 2020. Retrieved February 25, 2010.
- ^ "State Representative, 39th District, 2002". Oregon Secretary of State. sos.state.or.us. Archived from the original on August 22, 2019. Retrieved February 25, 2010.
- ^ "Official Results | November 2, 2004". Oregon Secretary of State. Archived from the original on September 10, 2023. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
- ^ "Official Results | November 7, 2006". Oregon Secretary of State. Archived from the original on September 10, 2023. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
- ^ "Official Results | November 4, 2008". Oregon Secretary of State. Archived from the original on September 10, 2023. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
- ^ "Official Results November 2, 2010". Oregon Secretary of State. Archived from the original on August 31, 2023. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
- ^ "House District 36: Mary Nolan". Willamette Week. wweek.com. October 15, 2008. Archived from the original on January 14, 2010. Retrieved February 25, 2010.
- ^ a b "House Majority Leader Mary Nolan Throws Support Behind Kitzhaber". John Kitzhaber for Governor 2010. johnkitzhaber.com. Archived from the original on February 16, 2010. Retrieved February 23, 2010.
External links edit
- Oregon State House – Mary Nolan official government website
- Project Vote Smart – Representative Mary Nolan (OR) profile
- Portland Community College interview with Mary Nolan
- Follow the Money – Mary Nolan