Kim Thatcher

Lona Kim Thatcher (born 1964) is an American politician currently serving as a member of the Oregon State Senate for the 11th district since 2023. She previously represented the 13th district from 2015 to 2023, and served as a member of the Oregon House of Representatives for the 25th district from 2005 to 2015. She is a resident of Keizer.

Kim Thatcher
Member of the Oregon Senate from the 11th district
Incumbent
Assumed office January 9, 2023
Preceded by	Peter Courtney
Member of the Oregon Senate from the 13th district
In office January 12, 2015 – January 9, 2023
Preceded by	Larry George
Succeeded by	Aaron Woods
Member of the Oregon House of Representatives from the 25th district
In office January 10, 2005 – January 12, 2015
Preceded by	Vic Backlund
Succeeded by	Bill Post
Personal details
Born	Lona Kim Thatcher (1964-10-30) October 30, 1964 (age 60) Pocatello, Idaho, U.S.
Political party	Republican
Spouse	Karl
Education	Portland State University
Signature
Website	https://kimthatcher.com

Early life and education

Thatcher was born Lona Kim Thatcher in Pocatello, Idaho, in 1964 and attended Portland State University.^[1][2]

Career

Thatcher was first elected to the Oregon House of Representatives in 2004, representing the Keizer area. Early in her career, as the owner of the highway construction firm KT Contracting, she became known for her criticisms of the Oregon Department of Transportation.^[3] In May 2005, Thatcher successfully sponsored a bill to limit public access to information about concealed handgun license.^[4] She was reelected in 2006, 2008, 2010, and 2012. In 2014, Thatcher chose to run for a seat in the Oregon Senate, held by the retiring Larry George, rather than seek re-election to her house seat.^[5]

During Thatcher's 2014 campaign for state senator, she earned the endorsement of The Oregonian on October 9, 2014; she ultimately won the election.^[6] However, The Oregonian had revoked the endorsement the day after giving it due to newly released reports showing companies she owned had lied about expenses submitted to ODOT for repayment, and then was found destroying evidence when records were requested in court proceedings. The rulings ended with $60,000 in court costs,^[7] and an assessment stating that while the company had willfully destroyed evidence, the resources needed to successfully prosecute a criminal case would require more than could be justified as an appropriate use. Thatcher was a delegate to the 2016 Republican National Convention, where she cast her vote for Donald Trump as the nominee. While she initially supported Ted Cruz, she ended the convention supporting Trump for president stating: "I can honestly say I feel less uncomfortable with Trump."^[8]

Legislation

During the 79th Oregon Legislative Assembly, Thatcher served on the Transparency Advisory Commission.^[9] She was also a member of the General Government and Accountability Committee.^[10] During the current 81st Oregon Legislative Assembly, she serves on the Judiciary Committee.

Thatcher was one of several cosponsors of legislation in 2009 to establish an Oregon's first transparency website; the measure passed the Senate unanimously and was signed into law by then-Governor Ted Kulongoski.^[11] Thatcher was a chief sponsor of legislation signed into law in 2011 that expanded Oregon's transparency web site to include economic development tax incentives,^[12] and in 2013 was a sponsor of legislation that required the state transparency website to post additional materials, such as minutes or summaries of public meetings, additional state contracts, and information on tax expenditures under Oregon Low Income Community Jobs Initiatives.^[13][14] Thatcher was the sponsor of subsequent successful legislation in 2015 and 2017 that expanded the material on the state transparency website.^[15][16][17]

In 2017, Thatcher introduced a bill that would have required public universities and community colleges in Oregon to expel students convicted of rioting.^[18] Thatcher introduced similar legislation in 2011.^[19]

Thatcher participated in the 2019 Oregon Senate Republican walkouts.^[20][21]

On December 11, 2020, Thatcher and 11 other state Republican officials signed a letter requesting Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum join Texas and other states contesting the results of the 2020 presidential election in Texas v. Pennsylvania. Rosenblum announced she had filed in behalf of the defense, and against Texas, the day prior.^[22]

Thatcher has cast doubt on the validity of the 2020 United States presidential election results. Thatcher has falsely claimed that the Arizona audit showed evidence of fraud and has declined to state whether Joe Biden won the 2020 election.^[23] In October 2021, Thatcher signed a letter along with other Republican politicians calling for an audit of the 2020 election in all states and the elimination of voter rolls in every state.^[23]

2020 secretary of state campaign

Main article: 2020 Oregon Secretary of State election

On February 10, 2020, Thatcher announced her campaign for the office of Oregon secretary of state in the 2020 general election.^[24] She defeated Dave Stauffer to become the Republican Party nominee on May 19, 2020, but lost (43.2%) to Democrat Shemia Fagan (50.3%).^[25]

2023 Unexcused absences

While participating in a Republican-led walkout in May 2023 Thatcher reached the 10 unexcused absence threshold set by measure 113, disqualifying her from running for reelection after her current term ends.^[26] In October the Oregon Supreme Court agreed to hear a challenge to the measure.^[27] On February 1, 2024, the Court unanimously ruled against the Republican Senators, confirming Thatcher's disqualification after her current term ends in January 2027.^[28]

Electoral history

2004 Oregon State Representative, 25th district ^[29]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Kim Thatcher	16,836	64.0
	Democratic	Roger Pike	9,319	35.4
	Write-in		152	0.6
Total votes			26,307	100%

2006 Oregon State Representative, 25th district ^[30]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Kim Thatcher	11,956	57.0
	Democratic	Charles E. Lee	8,977	42.8
	Write-in		38	0.2
Total votes			20,971	100%

2008 Oregon State Representative, 25th district ^[31]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Kim Thatcher	20,345	95.8
	Write-in		889	4.2
Total votes			21,234	100%

2010 Oregon State Representative, 25th district ^[32]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Kim Thatcher	14,770	66.0
	Democratic	Jim Dyer	7,530	33.7
	Write-in		65	0.3
Total votes			22,365	100%

2012 Oregon State Representative, 25th district ^[33]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Kim Thatcher	16,670	63.4
	Democratic	Paul Holman	8,858	33.7
	Libertarian	Ryan Haffner	698	2.7
	Write-in		47	0.2
Total votes			26,273	100%

2014 Oregon State Senator, 13th district ^[34]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Kim Thatcher	27,638	58.5
	Democratic	Ryan Howard	19,434	41.2
	Write-in		136	0.3
Total votes			47,208	100%

2018 Oregon State Senator, 13th district ^[35]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Kim Thatcher	34,888	55.9
	Democratic	Sarah Grider	27,415	43.9
	Write-in		89	0.1
Total votes			62,392	100%

2020 Oregon Secretary of State election ^[36]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Shemia Fagan	1,146,370	50.3
	Republican	Kim Thatcher	984,597	43.2
	Pacific Green	Nathalie Paravicini	82,211	3.6
	Libertarian	Kyle Markley	62,985	2.8
	Write-in		2,340	0.1
Total votes			2,278,503	100%

2022 Oregon State Senator, 11th district ^[37]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Kim Thatcher	22,238	52.5
	Democratic	Richard (Rich) Walsh	20,054	47.3
	Write-in		105	0.2
Total votes			42,397	100%

References

1. Staver, Anna (August 1, 2014). "The politics of candidates' names". Statesman Journal. Retrieved August 25, 2024.
2. "Representative Kim Thatcher (OR)". Project Vote Smart. Archived from the original on 2023-11-02. Retrieved 2009-10-16.
3. Esteve, Harry (April 19, 2009). "Keizer lawmaker says ODOT crosses line into politics". The Oregonian. Portland, Oregon: Oregonian Media Group. Archived from the original on April 21, 2009. Retrieved May 25, 2009.
4. "State House OKs bill regulating handgun data". Mail Tribune. Salem, Oregon: Rosebud Media, LLC. May 5, 2009. Archived from the original on June 10, 2011. Retrieved May 25, 2009.
5. Gaston, Christian (December 17, 2013). "Rep. Kim Thatcher seeks Senate Seat". The Oregonian. Portland, Oregon: Oregonian Media Group. Archived from the original on February 19, 2014. Retrieved October 19, 2014.
6. "Bruce Starr, Alan Olsen, Kim Thatcher and Chuck Thomsen for Senate: Editorial endorsement". The Oregonian. Portland, Oregon: Oregonian Media Group. October 9, 2014. Archived from the original on October 18, 2014. Retrieved October 19, 2014.
7. "Company owned by lawmaker accused of destroying evidence". 12 October 2014. Archived from the original on 2020-10-18. Retrieved 2020-10-18.
8. Bartman, Jake (July 30, 2016). "Republican convention brought unity, state senator says". Portland Tribune. Portland, Oregon: Pamplin Media Group. Archived from the original on July 31, 2016. Retrieved July 31, 2016.
9. "Oregon Transparency: Opening State Government to Everyone". www.oregon.gov. Archived from the original on July 16, 2017. Retrieved July 26, 2017.
10. "Oregon Legislative Information System". olis.leg.state.or.us. Archived from the original on March 16, 2018. Retrieved July 26, 2017.
11. "Oregon Legislative Information System". olis.leg.state.or.us. Archived from the original on July 16, 2017. Retrieved July 26, 2017.
12. "Oregon Legislative Information System". olis.leg.state.or.us. Archived from the original on October 29, 2017. Retrieved July 26, 2017.
13. "Oregon Legislative Information System". olis.leg.state.or.us. Archived from the original on October 31, 2017. Retrieved July 26, 2017.
14. "House Committee On Consumer Protection and Government Efficiency 2013-02-26 1:00 PM - Feb 26th, 2013". oregon.granicus.com. Archived from the original on 2023-11-02. Retrieved July 26, 2017.
15. "Oregon Legislative Information System". olis.leg.state.or.us. Archived from the original on August 8, 2020. Retrieved July 26, 2017.
16. "Oregon Legislative Information System". olis.leg.state.or.us. Archived from the original on October 31, 2017. Retrieved July 26, 2017.
17. "Oregon Legislative Information System". olis.leg.state.or.us. Archived from the original on May 26, 2018. Retrieved July 26, 2017.
18. Campuzano, Eder (February 15, 2017). "GOP senator introduces bill requiring colleges to expel students convicted of rioting". The Oregonian. Portland, Oregonian: Oregonian Media Group. Archived from the original on March 13, 2017. Retrieved February 16, 2017.
19. "Oregon Legislative Information System". olis.leg.state.or.us. Archived from the original on 2018-05-26. Retrieved 2017-07-24.
20. "Oregon Republicans walk out on state Senate over climate change bill as governor threatens police roundup". CBS News. New York City: CBS Corporation. June 23, 2019. Archived from the original on June 24, 2019. Retrieved June 24, 2019.
21. Osborne, Mark; Youn, Soo (June 23, 2019). "Oregon's Republican state senators go into hiding over climate change vote amid militia threat". ABC News. New York City: ABC. Archived from the original on June 23, 2019. Retrieved June 24, 2019.
22. Tess Riski (13 December 2020). "A Dozen Oregon Republican Lawmakers Urged the Attorney General to Support Texas Lawsuit Undermining U.S. Election Results". Willamette Week. Archived from the original on 14 December 2020. Retrieved 13 December 2020.
23. Cappelletti, Joey (2021-10-28). "State Sen. Kim Thatcher signs letter calling for election audit in 50 states". Keizertimes. Archived from the original on 2021-10-28. Retrieved 2022-01-18.
24. Monahan, Rachel (February 6, 2020). "Sen. Kim Thatcher Enters the Race for Oregon Secretary of State". Willamette Week. Portland, Oregonian: Rose City Media. Archived from the original on February 10, 2020. Retrieved February 10, 2020.
25. "November 3, 2020, General Election Abstract of Votes" (PDF). Oregon Secretary of State. Archived (PDF) from the original on November 12, 2022. Retrieved December 3, 2020.
26. VanderHart, Dirk; Dake, Lauren (May 18, 2023). "Oregon Republican walkout: 6 more senators are potentially ineligible for reelection". Oregon Public Broadcasting. Archived from the original on October 23, 2023. Retrieved November 2, 2023.
27. VanderHart, Dirk (October 24, 2023). "GOP senators' challenge to walkout penalties lands before Oregon Supreme Court". Oregon Public Broadcasting. Archived from the original on October 31, 2023. Retrieved November 3, 2023.
28. Shumway, Julia (1 February 2024). "Oregon Supreme Court bars Republican senators who participated in walkout from reelection". Oregon Capital Chronicle. Retrieved 1 February 2024.
29. "Official Results | November 2, 2004". Oregon Secretary of State. Archived from the original on September 10, 2023. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
30. "Official Results | November 7, 2006". Oregon Secretary of State. Archived from the original on September 10, 2023. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
31. "Official Results | November 4, 2008". Oregon Secretary of State. Archived from the original on September 10, 2023. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
32. "Official Results November 2, 2010". Oregon Secretary of State. Archived from the original on August 31, 2023. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
33. "Official Results | November 6, 2012". Oregon Secretary of State. Archived from the original on April 6, 2023. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
34. "November 4, 2014, General Election, Official Abstract of Votes". Oregon Secretary of State. Archived from the original on April 6, 2023. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
35. "November 6, 2018, General Election Abstract of Votes". Oregon Secretary of State. Archived from the original on April 6, 2023. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
36. "November 3, 2020, General Election Abstract of Votes" (PDF). Oregon Secretary of State. Archived (PDF) from the original on November 12, 2022. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
37. "November 8, 2022, General Election Abstract of Votes" (PDF). Oregon Secretary of State. Archived (PDF) from the original on June 12, 2023. Retrieved October 30, 2023.

External links

• Oregon House website
• Campaign website

Oregon House of Representatives
Preceded by Vic Backlund	Member of the Oregon House of Representatives from the 25th district 2005-2015	Succeeded by Bill Post