Gregory Hector Macpherson (born May 3, 1950)[1] is a Democratic politician in the US state of Oregon. From 2003 to 2009, he served as the state representative from District 38, which includes most of Lake Oswego and portions of southwestern Portland.

Greg Macpherson
Member of the Oregon House of Representatives
from the 38th district
In office
2003–2009
Preceded byRichard Devlin
Succeeded byChris Garrett
Personal details
Born (1950-05-03) May 3, 1950 (age 73)
Corvallis, Oregon
Political partyDemocratic
SpouseTory Macpherson
ResidenceLake Oswego, Oregon
OccupationAttorney

Early life edit

Macpherson was born in Corvallis, Oregon, and grew up in rural Linn County. His paternal grandfather, Hector Macpherson, Sr., was elected in 1926, 1928, and 1938 as a progressive Republican member the Oregon Legislative Assembly.[2] During his political career his grandfather helped found the Oregon Department of Education.[3] His father, Hector Jr., served in the Oregon State Senate and was a cosponsor of the 1973 law that established Oregon's land-use planning system.

Macpherson earned his undergraduate degree from Harvard University in 1972 and his law degree from Georgetown University in 1975. He was admitted to the Oregon bar in 1975.[1] After 41 years, he retired in 2016 as a partner at Stoel Rives LLP in Portland.[4][5]

Political career edit

In 2002, Macpherson was elected to the Oregon House of Representatives, defeating Republican Jim Zupancic. He was re-elected in 2004 and 2006. In the Oregon House, he played a prominent role opposing Measure 37, a controversial ballot initiative that invalidated much of Oregon's land use regulation. He was the plaintiff in Macpherson v. Department of Administrative Services, an unsuccessful challenge to Measure 37's constitutionality. As chair of the House Judiciary Committee, he was instrumental in writing Measure 49, a 2007 ballot measure that scaled back some of Measure 37's provisions.[6]

In 2006, Macpherson was one of only three Democrats in the Oregon legislature who urged the PUC to oppose refunding Portland General Electric (PGE) customers who had been illegally overcharged by the utility.

He was a candidate for Oregon Attorney General in 2008, running to succeed incumbent Hardy Myers, but lost in the Democratic primary to John Kroger.[7] In 2012, Macpherson announced that he would run for mayor of his hometown of Lake Oswego.[8]

Personal edit

Macpherson and his wife Tory live in Lake Oswego. He has two adult children.[6]

Electoral history edit

2004 Oregon State Representative, 38th district [9]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Greg Macpherson 25,014 85.6
Libertarian Christopher Richter 2,384 8.2
Constitution Ernest C. Richardson 1,465 5.0
Write-in 357 1.2
Total votes 29,220 100%
2006 Oregon State Representative, 38th district [10]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Greg Macpherson 18,361 68.7
Republican Fred Bremner 8,335 31.2
Write-in 45 0.2
Total votes 26,741 100%

References edit

  1. ^ a b "Gregory H. Macpherson profile". Lawyers.com. Retrieved April 15, 2008.
  2. ^ Elizabeth Nielsen, "Guide to the Zorn-Macpherson Bill Collection 1926-1932," Archived September 21, 2013, at the Wayback Machine Oregon State University Archives, Corvallis, OR.
  3. ^ Jaquiss, Nigel (March 26, 2008). "Gunfight at the OR Corral". Willamette Week. Archived from the original on March 28, 2008. Retrieved April 15, 2008.
  4. ^ "Greg Macpherson". Retrieved April 25, 2022.
  5. ^ Giegerich, Andy (February 1, 2012). "Macpherson flings hat into L.O. mayoral race". Portland Business Journal. Retrieved April 19, 2015.
  6. ^ a b "Macpherson set to run for attorney general". Albany Democrat Herald. August 22, 2007. Retrieved April 19, 2015.
  7. ^ Silverman, Julia (May 21, 2008). "Kroger, Brown win statewide races". Ashland Daily Tidings. Retrieved April 19, 2015.
  8. ^ Murphy, Kara Hansen (February 1, 2012). "Macpherson jumps into city politics, seeks mayor's post". Lake Oswego Review. Retrieved April 20, 2013.
  9. ^ "Official Results | November 2, 2004". Oregon Secretary of State. Archived from the original on September 10, 2023. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
  10. ^ "Official Results | November 7, 2006". Oregon Secretary of State. Archived from the original on September 10, 2023. Retrieved October 30, 2023.

External links edit