Roger A. Keats (born August 12, 1948) is an American politician and businessman.
Roger A. Keats | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Illinois Senate from the 29th district | |
| In office January 1979 – January 1993 | |
| Preceded by | Brad Glass |
| Succeeded by | Grace Mary Stern |
| Member of the Illinois House of Representatives from the 1st district | |
| In office December 1976 – January 1979 | |
| Preceded by | Brian Duff |
| Succeeded by | Mary Jeanne Hallstrom |
| Personal details | |
| Born | August 12, 1948 Cleveland, Ohio |
| Political party | Republican |
| Alma mater | University of Michigan |
| Profession | politician, businessman |
Keats was born in Cleveland, Ohio. He served in the United States Army from 1972 to 1974. He received his bachelor's degree from University of Michigan. He worked in the bank business and started Gallatan National a construction and civil engineer business. He lived in Wilmette, Illinois. At various points in his early career, Keats was a teacher and a legislative assistant in Washington D.C. He also served as the Republican campaign coordinator in Northern Illinois during 1972 general election.[1]
In the 1976 general election, Republican incumbent Brian Duff opted to run for a judgeship in the Cook County Circuit Court. Keats was elected as one of three members, with John Porter and Harold Katz, from the 1st district to serve in the 80th General Assembly. Duff resigned before the end of the 79th General Assembly to assume his role as a judge. Local Republican leaders appointed Representative-elect Keats to the Illinois House to serve during the veto session of the 79th General Assembly.[2][3] Keats served in the Illinois House of Representatives from 1976 to 1979. In 1977, incumbent Senator Brad Glass sought the Republican nomination for Illinois Treasurer. In the 1978 general election, Republican Keats defeated Democratic candidate Cathleen Quinn O'Rourke to succeed Glass in the Illinois Senate.[4][5] He then served in the Illinois Senate from 1979 to 1993. In the 1992 general election, Keats lost the Republican-friendly 29th district to Democratic State Representative Grace Mary Stern.[6][7]
In 1995, he was appointed to the Illinois International Port District by Governor Jim Edgar.[8] During the 2008 Republican Party presidential primaries, Keats worked on behalf of the presidential campaign of former U.S. Senator Fred Thompson serving as a congressional district chair for Illinois's 10th congressional district.[9] In 2010, Keats was the Republican nominee for President of the Cook County Board of Commissioners. In 2013, Keats and his wife moved to Dripping Springs, Texas.[10][11][12]
Notes edit
- ^ Gherardini, Caroline (ed.). "New Members of the General Assembly". Illinois Issues. 5 (2). Sangamon State University: 28. Retrieved May 29, 2020.
- ^ "Duff To Give Oath of Office to Keats". Daily Herald. December 11, 2021. Retrieved July 16, 2021.
- ^ Washburn, James (December 14, 1976). "Introduce New Representatives" (PDF). Transcript of the Proceedings of the Illinois House. 79 (182): 8. Retrieved July 16, 2021.
- ^ "Candidates for Illinois Senate". Illinois Issues. 4 (8). Sangamon State University: 23. ISSN 0738-9663. Retrieved July 15, 2021.
- ^ "GOP will gain seats in Senate: But not enough". Illinois Issues. 4 (8). Sangamon State University: 23. ISSN 0738-9663. Retrieved July 15, 2021.
- ^ Wheeler III, Charles N. "New faces, old instincts". Illinois Issues. 18 (12). Sangamon State University: 6. Retrieved June 4, 2020.
- ^ Bodily, Amyllen. "Incumbent versus Incumbent in New Districts". Illinois Issues. 18 (3). Sangamon State University: 25. Retrieved June 4, 2020.
- ^ Brune, Tom; Halperin, Jennifer. "Patronage Lite: Governor Edgar's Shadow Government". Illinois Issues. 22 (10). Sangamon State University. ISSN 0738-9663. Retrieved June 4, 2020.
- ^ Peters, Gerhard; Woolley, John T., eds. (November 8, 2007). "Press Release: Thompson Campaign Announces Illinois Leadership Team". The American Presidency Project. University of California, Santa Barbara. Retrieved August 20, 2021.
- ^ 'Illinois Blue Book 1991–1992,' Biographical Sketch of Roger A. Keats, pg. 96
- ^ "Retiring in Texas: Why a Former Illinois State Senator Became a Proud Texan | How Money Walks | How $2 Trillion Moved between the States - A Book By Travis H. Brown". howmoneywalks.com. Retrieved 2018-06-09.
- ^ "Former State Sen. Keats Finds a Home in Texas". Scott Holleran. Retrieved 2018-06-09.
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