Randall Edwards

Randall Edwards (born August 13, 1961) is an American politician who most recently served as the state treasurer of the state of Oregon.

Edwards went on to Colorado College, graduating in 1983 with a bachelor's degree in economics.

After college he worked on agricultural issues as a member of U.S. Senator Bob Packwood's constituent services staff in Washington, D.C. There he met Julia Brim, a Packwood press aide, who would become his wife.

Edwards later worked on timber management policy at the Commerce Department while attending night classes at George Washington University.

He earned his MBA in 1990.

He served as a manager and senior advisor at the Oregon State Treasury from 1992–1996, and was an International Trade Analyst for the U.S. Commerce Department.

Edwards was born in Eugene, Oregon, USA, but spent much of his childhood in Walla Walla, Washington.

His father, Tom Edwards, taught history at Whitman College while his mother worked as a public school teacher for more than 20 years.

The young Edwards showed little interest in politics - despite being described as bright and popular, he was reserved and shunned the attention of involvement in student government.

He applied himself, instead, to his studies, competitive tennis, and mastery of classical cello.

His father would later comment to the press that he never imagined that his son would take to the rough and tumble world of politics.

"Over the years, as a college professor, I tried to get people interested in politics, but they rejected it," said the retired professor, now living near his son in Portland.

"What I didn't realize was that one of my own children would do what I was trying to get my students to do."

In 1992, Edwards and his wife moved to Portland, Oregon, her hometown, where they still make their home with their three children.

She continued to work on Senator Packwood's staff for one more year, then managed Craig Berkman's unsuccessful gubernatorial campaign.

Edwards took a position on Oregon State Treasurer Jim Hill's staff.

Julia Brim-Edwards is a deputy director for state government and public affairs for Nike, Inc. and former Portland Public Schools co-chair.

Edwards' first elective office was as a member of the Oregon Legislative Assembly.

In 1996, he sought nomination to the open seat for the 15th District in the state House of Representatives.

The incumbent, Lisa Naito, had chosen not to seek reelection.

He was challenged in the Democratic primary by Steve March, 49, a senior management auditor for Multnomah County and part-time college teacher, and Harry D. Ainsworth, 32, a lawyer.

Edwards secured the nomination with 2,587 votes to March's 2,245 and Ainsworth's 815, going on to face Republican Mark Lewis,

whom he defeated 12,998 to 5,697.

As a freshman legislator, Edwards introduced a 1997 bill empowering local governments to double traffic fines in school zones, and preventing judges from reducing the penalties.

Modeled after similar legislation applying to construction zones, the bill passed and was signed into law the same year.

Bucking his own party's leadership and drawing the ire of the Oregon Education Association, Edwards inserted a provision in a school funding bill requiring audits of school districts' classification of students, a move opposed by then Democratic Governor John Kitzhaber.

Since state support doubles for students with disabilities and includes extra funds for certain other types of students, the proposal sought to insure such students were counted accurately.

Edwards regained the confidence of pro-education activists when he cast the sole dissenting vote in a 7-to-1 Revenue Committee decision to add U.S.$67 million in additional tax cuts to Measure 50, in an election for which ballots had already gone out.

The referendum was intended to reverse even deeper cuts which had been enacted by Measure 47 the previous November.

The committee action was taken under threat by anti-tax activist Bill Sizemore to withdraw his support from Measure 50, which already granted $804 million in tax relief.

Sizemore said he was prepared kill the measure with a last minute advertising blitz if the additional cuts were not approved.

Edwards objected on the grounds that any increase in Measure 50's cuts would require too great a curtailment of government services, especially in education.

By the end of his first legislative session, despite being a newcomer and member of the minority party, he had gained a reputation as an effective pro-education politician and was described as a "virtual education bill machine."

In addition to writing legislation he managed to get much of it passed, making few long-term political enemies.

He was willing to take stands differing with fellow Portland Democrat Chris Beck on methods for funding the state park system, and by pushing for higher funding for education than was included in the Governor's proposed budget.

"I've made education my top issue in the session," Edwards said in an interview after the close of the session.

"It's the top issue in my district and the top issue in the state."

Randall ran unopposed in both the primary and general elections, and was reelected to a second term as state representative.

When the legislature convened the following year the agenda included a large number of education-related issues, many steeped in controversy.

A Democrat, Edwards was elected as treasurer in 2000 and reelected in 2004, after serving two terms in the Oregon Legislative Assembly.