Friday, April 14, 2023
Portland, OR – Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley released the following statement following the passing of former Oregon Secretary of State, Bill Bradbury:
“The passing of Bill Bradbury is a devastating loss for his family and loves ones, and for the entire State of Oregon, which he served in many capacities over a lifetime devoted to building a better Oregon.
“Bill was a close friend who served in the Oregon State Legislature for many years. As Oregon State Senate President he showed excellent leadership skills, was an unwavering champion on environmental issues—especially surrounding salmon and watershed restoration—and fought every day for small businesses and rural and coastal Oregonians.
“He brought the same passion to his role as Oregon Secretary of State, where he served the people over the rich and powerful. In this office, he was a trailblazer who oversaw Oregon’s transition to our safe and secure vote-by-mail election system for all elections—the first in the nation to do so—which has enabled Oregon to consistently achieve the highest voter turnout in the country. He also moved to make our elections more open and transparent by creating an online system for reporting campaign contributions, and he continuously found other ways to cut through red tape to make the government work better for Oregon families and small businesses.
“After he left public office, he continued to use his voice to advocate for a healthy climate, restoration of salmon runs, and a strong democracy.
“Bill may be gone, but he leaves behind a legacy in Oregon that will endure for generations to come. My heart is with all his loved ones during this difficult time.”
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