Harry Lonsdale
Harry Lonsdale | |
---|---|
Born | Westfield, New Jersey, U.S. | January 19, 1932
Died | November 11, 2014 Indio, California, U.S. | (aged 82)
Alma mater | Rutgers University |
Occupation(s) | Businessman, scientist |
Political party | Democratic |
Harold K. Lonsdale (January 19, 1932 – November 11, 2014) was an American scientist, businessman, and politician. A
Early life
Lonsdale was born in
Business career
Following his Air Force stint, he moved to
Political career
In the mid-1980s, Lonsdale became active in many business, environmental, and civic concerns, including the Native Forest Council.[2] He joined the board of the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry, headed a task force to have the planned Superconducting Super Collider built in Oregon, and was a co-chairman of Governor Neil Goldschmidt's science council.[1][2]
1990 Senate election
In 1990, Lonsdale announced that he would challenge incumbent
After winning the Democratic nomination, Lonsdale considered a longshot, began to close in on Hatfield as he attacked the Republican's record on abortion and the environment in numerous television ads. Hatfield, who had always relied on his stature as a statesman in campaigns, was forced to change his usual tactic of not engaging his opponent.[5] Hatfield turned the environment issue against Lonsdale, accusing him of hypocrisy by presenting allegations that Lonsdale had allowed his company to dispose of toxic waste into the environment.[6] The change of tactics stalled Lonsdale's momentum, and Hatfield would win the election handily, though this would be his last Senate campaign.[7]
1992 Senate election
In 1991, Lonsdale made plans for another Senate run at Oregon's other Senate seat, this one held by Bob Packwood. This time, he received a stronger challenge for the Democratic nomination, chiefly from U.S. Congressman Les AuCoin, who resigned his seat in Oregon's 1st congressional district to run for the Senate.[2] Lonsdale went after AuCoin, whom he accused of having been corrupted by PAC money over the years.[8][9] Lonsdale also criticized AuCoin's ties to the timber industry.[10] AuCoin turned accusations of undue influence back on Lonsdale, pointing out that Bend Research had received millions in federal defense contracts,[11] and noted Lonsdale's reversal of support for nuclear power and belated opposition to the re-opening of Trojan Nuclear Power Plant.[12] Lonsdale received surprising support from Packwood, who believed AuCoin to be a stronger competitor, and ran television ads against AuCoin.[13]
The results of the Democratic primary were so close that an automatic recount was triggered.[13] On June 18, over a month after the primary election, AuCoin was certified as having won by 330 votes.[14] Upon conceding the race, Lonsdale pondered mounting a write-in campaign, reiterating that Oregon needed an "outsider" in the Senate.[15][16] Lonsdale would receive fewer than 6,000 write-in votes in the general election, in which Packwood won re-election.[17]
1996 Senate election
Following Hatfield's retirement from the Senate in 1996, Lonsdale ran again in the 1996 primary, but lost to Mentor Graphics founder Tom Bruggere by a wide margin.[18]
Other campaigns
Lonsdale did not seek office again, though he sponsored several petitions related to campaign finance reform through the early 2000s.
Scientific endeavors
In 2011, Lonsdale, an avowed
Personal
Lonsdale married his high-school sweetheart Connie shortly after graduating from Rutgers.
References
- ^ a b c d Hamilton, Don (August 26, 1990). "The Democrat is a green politician who faces a formidable task, but he says the time is ripe for an upset". The Oregonian.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Mapes, Jeff (April 19, 1992). "The strong-willed Bend businessman makes a second bid for the U.S. Senate". The Oregonian.
- ^ a b Benner, Susan (June 1, 1984). "Life In The Silicon Rain Forest". Inc. Retrieved February 9, 2011.
- ^ a b Attle, Rick (March 5, 1990). "Lonsdale blast launches Senate campaign". The Bulletin. Retrieved February 7, 2011.
- ^ Walth, Brent (October 21, 1990). "Hatfield shifts gears in race". The Register-Guard. Retrieved February 9, 2011.
- ^ Walth, Brent (March 21, 1992). "Lonsdale Firm's Hazardous Waste Violated No Rules". The Register-Guard. Retrieved February 7, 2011.
- ^ "Oregon US Senate Race, Nov 6, 1990". ourcampaigns.com. Retrieved February 8, 2011.
- ^ Duin, Steve (September 19, 1991). "The return of a career candidate". The Oregonian. pp. B07.
- ^ Matassa, Mark (May 18, 1992). "Great political lineup in Oregon primary, but it's not the NBA – is voters' mood a pregame show for Washington". The Seattle Times.
- ^ Mapes, Jeff (February 9, 1992). "Demo Senate primary gets rough". The Oregonian.
- ^ Mapes, Jeff (March 29, 1992). "AuCoin takes Lonsdale's role in debate". The Oregonian.
- ^ Mapes, Jeff (January 5, 1992). "Lonsdale, in about-face, opposes nuclear power, Trojan restart". The Oregonian.
- ^ a b "The 1992 Campaign; Close Vote for Oregon Senate Seat Insures Recount". The New York Times. May 24, 1992. Retrieved October 8, 2009.
- ^ Mapes, Jeff (June 18, 1992). "State puts its seal on AuCoin's victory". The Oregonian.
- ^ Mapes, Jeff (June 9, 1992). "A recount in the Democratic Senate primary is…". The Oregonian.
- ^ Mapes, Jeff (June 19, 1992). "Lonsdale concedes primary loss with attack on AuCoin, Packwood". The Oregonian.
- ^ "Oregon US Senate Race, Nov 3, 1992". ourcampaigns.com. Retrieved February 7, 2010.
- ^ Hill, Gail Kinsey; Bill Graves (May 22, 1996). "Smith, Brugger promise strong, positive fight". The Oregonian.
- ^ Hogan, Dave (November 28, 2005). "Initiatives would alter campaign finance laws". The Oregonian.
- ^ Lonsdale, Harry (May 31, 1996). "Opinion: Get big money out of Oregon's politics". The Oregonian.
- ^ Steves, David (January 12, 2007). "Ethics overhaul moves forward in Salem". The Register-Guard. Retrieved February 9, 2011.
- ^ Science. Archived from the originalon June 30, 2011. Retrieved June 29, 2011.
- ^ "Origin of Life Research Award". Retrieved May 2, 2012.
- ^ "John Sutherland co-wins the Origin of Life Challenge - MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology". MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology. 2012-06-08. Retrieved 2016-11-18.
- ^ Hill, Gail Kinsey (May 19, 1996). "1996 Voters' Guide: Senate Democrats". The Oregonian.
- ^ "Harry Lonsdale Political Contributions". Retrieved May 2, 2012.
- ^ Mapes, Jeff (November 14, 2014). "Harry Lonsdale, Bend entrepreneur and Senate candidate, dies at 82". The Oregonian. Retrieved November 14, 2014.