Wikipedia

A. A. Adams

Abner Allen "Doc" Adams (August 22, 1900 – May 31, 1985) was an American politician in the state of Washington. He served in the Washington House of Representatives from 1969 to 1981. A Democrat, Adams was noted as a supporter of progressive policies, including assisted suicide, marijuana legalization, and abortion. In addition to his career as a state Representative, Adams was an accomplished chiropractor who served as president of the American Chiropractic Association.

A. A. Adams
A. A. Adams in 1971
A. A. Adams in 1971
Member of the Washington House of Representatives
from the 26th district
In office
1969–1973
Preceded byHomer Humiston
Succeeded byClifford W. Beck
Member of the Washington House of Representatives
from the 27th district
In office
1973–1981
Serving with R. Lorraine Wojahn and James E. Salatino
Preceded byFrank Marzano
Succeeded byArt Wang
Personal details
Born(1900-08-22)August 22, 1900
Bellingham, Washington, U.S.
DiedMay 31, 1985(1985-05-31) (aged 84)
Pacific, Washington, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
OccupationPolitician

Early life and education edit

Adams was born in Bellingham, Washington, on August 22, 1900.[1][2] He studied at the Palmer College of Chiropractic in Davenport, Iowa, graduating in 1924.[3]

Career edit

Chiropractor edit

In 1945, Adams moved to Tacoma, Washington, and opened an office there.[2] Active in the wider chiropractor community, Adams was legislative chairman and later president of the Washington Chiropractors Association.[3] He was elected president of the American Chiropractic Association in 1965 and served one term.[4][2] Adams was also vice president of the International Chiropractors Association for some time.[1] He retired from private practice in 1973.[5]

Politics edit

Adams began his political career in 1960 as a member of the Tacoma Utility Board. A Democrat, he was first elected to the Washington House of Representatives in 1968, defeating the Republican nominee by a 52–48 margin, with a campaign heavily focusing on pension issues.[6][7] One of his first actions in the House was to cosponsor a bill banning the carry of "dangerous weapons" at protests.[8] The bill was initially contested due to unclear language, however, it was passed unanimously when the Seattle Black Panthers announced their intention to protest the bill.[9][10] He supported the 1970 legislation which legalized abortion in Washington.[11]

Adams ran for reelection in 1970. While he won the primary, he had a lower vote total than his Republican opponents.[12] He won the general election, again by a 52–48 margin.[13][14] He was a cosponsor of the law which introduced mandatory vehicle insurance in Washington.[15] In 1972, the redistricting process placed him in the 27th district, where he defeated Dennis Flannigan in a close primary.[16][17] He went on to win reelection to a third term by a 67–33 margin and was made chair of the House Social and Health Services Committee.[18][19] At 72 years old, Adams was the oldest representative in Washington.[20]

In 1974, he sponsored the Senior Services Act, which created a Meals on Wheels program.[5] He also led a probe into escapes at Western State Hospital, which quickly expanded to cover security at all state institutions and a variety of other issues.[21][22] Adams beat his opponent in the primary and won the general election 66–34.[23][24] He opposed the 1976 effort to remove Leonard A. Sawyer from his position of Speaker of the House.[25] That same year, he won election for his fifth term 62–38.[26]

Adams sponsored a "Death with Dignity" bill in 1977 that would have legalized a form of assisted suicide in Washington.[27] He also supported a bill to decriminalize marijuana and a bill to legalize the prescription of Laetrile.[28][29] He supported decriminalization of marijuana again the following year, saying that "We need to send Washington, D.C., a message."[30] He won re-election 65–35.[31]

In 1979, Adams continued to push for assisted suicide and marijuana legislation, successfully passing both bills through the House.[32][33] He also cosponsored a bill creating a state lottery, although this did not ultimately pass.[34][35] In May, Adams received criticism for taking a two-week vacation to Hawaii because his absence gave the Republicans a one-vote majority in the House, with an editorial in The News Tribune describing him as being "out of bounds."[36][37] The following year, Adams opted to not run for reelection, citing a need to spend time with his family.[5] He was succeeded by fellow Democrat Art Wang, who defeated his Republican opponent 71–29.[38]

Personal life edit

Adams was married to Mildred S. Adams (1899–1993), a music and art teacher, on August 22, 1923.[2][39] They had one child together.[39] He was a Shriner.[40] Adams supported the legalization of greyhound racing.[41] Late in his political career, Adams was arrested for driving while intoxicated.[42]

Adams died on May 31, 1985.[40] His wife, Mildred, died on March 21, 1993.[39]

Electoral history edit

26th House District Position 1 Election, 1968[43]
Primary election
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Homer Humiston 8,929 52.58
Democratic A.A. Adams 5,068 29.84
Democratic Don Smith 2,985 17.58
Total votes 16,982 100.00
General election
Democratic A.A. Adams 15,053 51.96
Republican Homer Humiston 13,918 48.04
Total votes 28,971 100.0

References edit

  1. ^ a b "Pictorial Directory, Forty-First Session, Washing State Legislature" (PDF). Washington State Legislature. 1969. p. 24. Archived (PDF) from the original on January 25, 2022.
  2. ^ a b c d "Don't anyone say anything to Doc Adams". The Tacoma News Tribune. August 13, 1980. p. 25. Retrieved May 23, 2023 – via newspapers.com.
  3. ^ a b "Dr. Adams Heads U.S. Chiropractors". The Tacoma News Tribune. June 25, 1965. p. 2. Retrieved May 23, 2023 – via newspapers.com.
  4. ^ "New President". The Bellingham Herald. June 25, 1965. p. 5. Retrieved May 23, 2023 – via newspapers.com.
  5. ^ a b c "Rep. Adams won't run again". The Tacoma News Tribune. March 15, 1980. p. 36. Retrieved May 23, 2023 – via newspapers.com.
  6. ^ Pyle, Jack (November 8, 1968). "Incumbents to Serve A Long, Long Time". The Tacoma News Tribune. p. 50. Retrieved May 23, 2023 – via newspapers.com.
  7. ^ "Final Count Shows Pierce Voters 'Elected' Humphrey, O'Connell". The Tacoma News Tribune. November 24, 1968. p. 21. Retrieved May 23, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. ^ "Bill Asks Curb On Weapons In Demonstrations". The Tacoma News Tribune. January 18, 1969. p. 21. Retrieved May 23, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. ^ "Technicality Dropped; Gun Bill Advances". The Tacoma News Tribune. February 23, 1969. p. 14. Retrieved May 23, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  10. ^ Ferguson, Adele (February 27, 1969). "Legislature Prepares For Reported Negro Protest". The Bremerton Sun. p. 1. Retrieved May 23, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  11. ^ Nesvig, Jonathan (January 11, 1970). "Most Pierce Lawmakers Want New Abortion Law". The Tacoma News Tribune. p. 26. Retrieved May 23, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  12. ^ Pyle, Jack (September 16, 1970). "Craig Bested by Johnston for Assessor". The Tacoma News Tribune. p. 3. Retrieved May 23, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  13. ^ Pyle, Jack (November 4, 1970). "Demos Dominate Pierce Elections". The Tacoma News Tribune. p. 1. Retrieved May 23, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  14. ^ "Official Pierce Ballot County Shows No Substantial Changes". The Tacoma News Tribune. November 18, 1970. p. 54. Retrieved May 23, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  15. ^ "Compulsory Insurance Proposed". The Tacoma News Tribune. January 7, 1971. p. 18. Retrieved May 23, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  16. ^ "Here's State District, Incumbent List". The Kitsap Sun. April 22, 1972. p. 12. Retrieved May 25, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  17. ^ "State Representative 27th Dist. Position 2". The News Tribune. September 20, 1972. p. 2. Retrieved May 25, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  18. ^ "How Pierce County Voted". The News Tribune. November 23, 1972. p. 20. Retrieved May 25, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  19. ^ "House committee leaders named". Longview Daily News. Associated Press. December 21, 1972. p. 16. Retrieved May 25, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  20. ^ Lemon, John J. (July 26, 1973). "Legislators Represent 33 Occupational Areas". The Spokane Chronicle. p. 4. Retrieved May 25, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  21. ^ Mottram, Robert H. (April 3, 1974). "Adams to expand security probe". The News Tribune. p. 29. Retrieved May 30, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  22. ^ Mottram, Robert H. (May 17, 1974). "WSH moonlighting to be probed". The News Tribune. p. 3. Retrieved May 30, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  23. ^ "Final Pierce County election returns". The News Tribune. October 6, 1974. p. 28. Retrieved May 30, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  24. ^ "Pierce County's final election returns". The News Tribune. November 24, 1974. p. 49. Retrieved May 30, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  25. ^ Cummings, Robert C. (January 22, 1976). "Pierce group cries alarm". The News Tribune. p. 9. Retrieved May 30, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  26. ^ "Official Pierce County final election returns". The News Tribune. November 21, 1976. p. 23. Retrieved May 30, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  27. ^ "Adams offers 'death-with-dignity' bill". The News Tribune. Associated Press. January 19, 1977. p. 42. Retrieved June 1, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  28. ^ Gibbs, Al (April 7, 1977). "House huffs, puffs grudging OK to pot". The News Tribune. p. 2. Retrieved June 1, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  29. ^ "Bill allowing laetrile use passes easily in House". The Spokesman-Review. May 18, 1977. p. 8. Retrieved June 1, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  30. ^ "Put use for cancer eyed". Longview Daily News. Associated Press. July 20, 1978. p. 3. Retrieved June 1, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  31. ^ "How you voted". The News Tribune. November 19, 1978. p. 58. Retrieved June 1, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  32. ^ Pugnetti, Jerry (February 3, 1979). "House approves marijuana-use bill". The News Tribune. p. 7. Retrieved June 13, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  33. ^ "Death-dignity bill OK'd". The Spokesman-Review. Associated Press. February 6, 1979. p. 14. Retrieved June 13, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  34. ^ Pugnetti, Jerry (January 19, 1979). "State lottery bill filed by Tacoma legislator". The News Tribune. p. 4. Retrieved June 13, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  35. ^ Keen, David (March 9, 1979). "Area residents to reap some benefits". The Columbian. p. 12. Retrieved August 2, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  36. ^ Pugnetti, Jerry (May 13, 1979). "House in session, Adams in Hawaii". The News Tribune. p. 10. Retrieved June 13, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  37. ^ "An untimely vacation". The News Tribune. May 15, 1979. p. 8. Retrieved June 13, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  38. ^ Cronin, Teresa (November 5, 1980). "County legislators buck GOP trend". The News Tribune. p. 5. Retrieved June 13, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  39. ^ a b c "Mildred S. Adams". Morning News Tribune. March 23, 1993. p. 20. Retrieved May 23, 2023 – via newspapers.com.
  40. ^ a b "Dr. Abner A. Adams". The Olympian. June 3, 1985. p. 10. Retrieved May 23, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  41. ^ "Name Similar, Stand Differs". Spokane Chronicle. October 13, 1972. p. 3. Retrieved May 25, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  42. ^ "Intoxication laid to solon". The News Tribune. March 29, 1979. p. 2. Retrieved June 13, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  43. ^ "Elections Search Results - November 1968 General - September 1968 Primary". Washington Secretary of State. Retrieved May 23, 2023.
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