Jim Torrey
Jim Torrey | |
---|---|
Member of the Eugene School Board | |
In office 2007–2019 | |
Mayor of Eugene | |
In office 1997–2004 | |
Preceded by | Ruth Bascom |
Succeeded by | Kitty Piercy |
Member of the Eugene City Council | |
In office 1995–1997 | |
Member of the Waldport, Oregon City Council | |
In office 1961–1964 | |
Personal details | |
Born | 1940 |
Political party | Republican (1961–2007) Independent Party of Oregon |
Jim Torrey (born 1940) is an American politician who served as mayor of
Torrey was a member of the Oregon Republican Party from age 21 until age 67; in 2007, he switched his registration to the newly formed Independent Party of Oregon.[2]
Early life and career
Jim Torrey was born in 1940 and grew up in Waldport, Oregon. After graduating from Waldport High School in 1958, he spent a year at the University of Oregon majoring in business but did not graduate. He then worked in advertising and workers' compensation.[3]
Mayoral tenure
Torrey's mayoral tenure was marked by allegations of police brutality against Eugene citizens.[4]
Shortly after his election in 1997, Torrey's Eugene police sprayed pepper spray at environmentalist peaceful protestors during a confrontation at a downtown parking garage, after which the city had to settle payments with those who they injured.[5] On August 6, 1997, a protestor vomited on Torrey at a Eugene City Council meeting.[6]
On June 18, 1999, Eugene police used tear gas on an anti-capitalist protest, which affected over 200 people and arrested 20 demonstrators.[7] Citizens claimed that the mayor had directed police to needlessly harass individuals in black clothing.[8]
2008 mayoral candidacy
Torrey ran again for mayor of Eugene in 2008. He qualified for a runoff election in November of that year, but lost to incumbent Kitty Piercy.[citation needed] Torrey's decision as a former two-term mayor to challenge a first term was described as an "unprecedented contest" in Eugene politics.[9]
Post-mayoral career
After his time as mayor, Torrey unsuccessfully ran for the Oregon State Senate in 2006 as the Republican nominee. He was then elected Eugene School Board Representative 5 as an Independent Party of Oregon member in 2007. He served three terms before being defeated in 2019 by Shabram Martina, an educator.[10][11]
Electoral history
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | Vicki Walker | 25,667 | 51.6 | |
Republican | Jim Torrey | 23,962 | 48.2 | |
Write-in | 134 | 0.3 | ||
Total votes | 49,763 | 100% |
References
- ^ Lane, County of. "Lane County Elections". Archived from the original on 2022-12-10. Retrieved 2022-01-20.
- ^ "Torrey turns Independent". The Register Guard. September 20, 2007. Archived from the original on December 8, 2015. Retrieved November 30, 2015.
- ^ Lane, County of. "Candidate Filing". Archived from the original on 2 November 2023. Retrieved 20 January 2022.
- ^ "Activists protest alleged brutality". June 1, 2000. Archived from the original on July 21, 2020. Retrieved July 18, 2020.
- ^ "Torrey and June 1st Pepper Spraying of Treesitters". May 9, 2008. Archived from the original on July 28, 2020. Retrieved July 28, 2020.
- ^ "Torrey on Board". May 2, 2019. Archived from the original on July 28, 2020. Retrieved July 28, 2020.
- ^ "Anarchists' rally erupts into riot in Eugene". June 19, 1999. Archived from the original on 2001-10-31. Retrieved July 31, 2020.
- ^ Smith, RJ (March 2000). "Chaos Theories". SPIN. Archived from the original on November 2, 2023. Retrieved July 31, 2020.
- ^ Piercy vs. Torrey: Look beyond the labels in Eugene’s mayoral race Archived 2008-03-30 at the Wayback Machine The Register-Guard 2008-03-07 retrieved 2008-03-23
- ^ "Jim Torrey". Ballotpedia. Archived from the original on 20 January 2022. Retrieved 20 January 2022.
- ^ Lane, County of. "Lane County Elections". Archived from the original on 2 November 2023. Retrieved 20 January 2022.
- ^ "Official Results | November 7, 2006". Oregon Secretary of State. Archived from the original on September 10, 2023. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
External links