Chris Telfer is a former Republican and current Independent Party of Oregon politician and Certified Public Accountant in Bend, Oregon, United States.
Chris Telfer | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Oregon State Senate from the 27th district | |
| In office January 12, 2009 – January 14, 2013 | |
| Preceded by | Ben Westlund |
| Succeeded by | Tim Knopp |
| Personal details | |
| Political party | Republican (before 2015) Independent Party of Oregon (2015–) |
| Alma mater | University of Denver Franklin University University of Oregon |
| Profession | Certified Public Accountant |
Telfer serves on the Bend City Council, and was elected to the Oregon State Senate in the November 2008 elections, to succeed outgoing senator Ben Westlund.[1] Hers was the only seat that changed parties in the Senate in that election cycle; her campaign spent $300,000 to opponent Maren Lundgren's $12,000.[2] The shift, however, left Democrats with an 18–12 majority, allowing them to pass increases to taxes and fees without Republican support.[3] (A 1996 law requires a 3/5 supermajority in both houses of the Oregon Legislative Assembly for such measures.)
Telfer has lived in Bend since 1977.[4] She has two daughters.[4]
She earned a bachelor's degree at the University of Denver, and did post-graduate work at Franklin University and the University of Oregon.[4] She has taught at Central Oregon Community College and served as vice-chair on the Bend Development Board.[4]
In 2010, Telfer filed for the special election for Oregon State Treasurer, to complete the term of Ben Westlund, who died in office,[5] but lost to Democratic incumbent Ted Wheeler in the November general election.[6]
In the Republican primary of the 2012 legislative elections, Telfer was defeated by Tim Knopp, a former state Representative and vice president of the Central Oregon Builders Association.[7]
She became the Oregon Lottery Commissioner. In 2016, she won the Independent Party of Oregon's nomination for Treasurer of Oregon. She lost in the general election to Tobias Read.[8]
Electoral history
edit| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Chris Telfer | 42,061 | 59.6 | |
| Democratic | Maren Lundgren | 28,379 | 40.2 | |
| Write-in | 129 | 0.2 | ||
| Total votes | 70,569 | 100% | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Ted Wheeler | 721,795 | 52.9 | |
| Republican | Chris Telfer | 571,105 | 41.9 | |
| Progressive | Walter F. (Walt) Brown | 38,316 | 2.8 | |
| Constitution | Michael Marsh | 30,489 | 2.2 | |
| Write-in | 1,738 | 0.1 | ||
| Total votes | 1,363,443 | 100% | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Tobias Read | 808,998 | 43.9 | |
| Republican | Jeff Gudman | 766,680 | 41.6 | |
| Independent | Chris Telfer | 173,878 | 9.4 | |
| Progressive | Chris Henry | 90,507 | 4.9 | |
| Write-in | 2,624 | 0.1 | ||
| Total votes | 1,842,687 | 100% | ||
References
edit- ^ Sachs, Peter (September 5, 2007). "Chris Telfer to run for Westlund's Senate seat". The Bulletin. Archived from the original on June 5, 2011. Retrieved November 14, 2008.
- ^ "Monnes Anderson beats Kim in state Senate; Telfer wins in Bend". The Oregonian. November 4, 2008. Archived from the original on May 22, 2011. Retrieved November 14, 2008.
- ^ Kost, Ryan (November 5, 2008). "Democrats see big gains in Ore. House". kgw.com. Associated Press.[permanent dead link]
- ^ a b c d Bend City Councilor Chris Telfer Archived 2008-10-24 at the Wayback Machine, from official Bend City web site.
- ^ "Candidate Filings, State Treasurer". Oregon Secretary of State. Archived from the original on December 24, 2012. Retrieved March 10, 2010.
- ^ Mungeam, Frank (November 3, 2010). "GOP gains ground, Democrats still rule in Oregon". The Oregonian. KTVB.COM. Archived from the original on November 6, 2010. Retrieved July 10, 2012.
- ^ Cole, Michelle (May 15, 2012). "Oregon state Rep. Mike Schaufler and state Sen. Chris Telfer lose seats (2012 primary election)". The Oregonian. Archived from the original on May 19, 2012. Retrieved June 27, 2012.
- ^ "Independent Party candidate announces bid for Oregon treasurer". 28 August 2015. Archived from the original on 11 March 2016. Retrieved 10 March 2016.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "November 8, 2016, General Election Abstract of Votes". Oregon Secretary of State. Archived from the original on January 19, 2023. Retrieved October 30, 2023.