Neil Goldschmidt

Neil Edward Goldschmidt (born June 16, 1940) is a former politician and businessman living in the State of Oregon and a member of the United States Democratic Party. He served as mayor of Portland (1973 - 1979), and as governor of Oregon (1987 - 1991), as well as Secretary of Transportation.

Political history

Goldschmidt was born in Eugene, Oregon, where he attended the University of Oregon. He studied law at the University of California, Berkeley's Boalt Hall until 1967.

Related Topics:
Eugene, Oregon - University of Oregon - University of California, Berkeley - Boalt Hall - 1967

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As city commissioner (1967 - 1973) and later as mayor of Portland, Goldschmidt led in the revitalization of the downtown section of that city, as well as in the creation of TriMet, and earning much good will from both the electorate and the business community by the time he left to become Secretary of Transportation under President Jimmy Carter in 1979.

Related Topics:
1967 - 1973 - Mayor - TriMet - Secretary of Transportation - Jimmy Carter

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In between positions in public office Goldschmidt was a Nike executive during the 1980s.

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Goldschmidt became the first Democratic Governor of Oregon in nearly a decade in 1987. His policy for economic development gained him support in all parts of the state. However, citing marital problems, he declined to run for re-election in 1990, despite the widely-held perception that he could have been easily re-elected. His Children's Agenda was very important in Oregon with its community initiatives. In 1991, he helped create the Oregon Children's Foundation, and SMART (Start Making a Reader Today), which puts 10,000 volunteers into Oregon schools to read to children.

Related Topics:
Governor of Oregon - 1987 - 1990

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In 1991 he founded a law and consulting firm, Neil Goldschmidt, Inc. in Portland. His clients include Schnitzer Investment, Nike, Inc., PacifiCorp, Paul Allen, and Betchel Enterprises (a subsidiary of Bechtel Corporation). He has worked for the State Accident Insurance Fund.

Related Topics:
1991 - Nike, Inc. - PacifiCorp - Paul Allen - Bechtel Corporation - State Accident Insurance Fund

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Goldschmidt has drawn criticism in recent years for some of his business activities. In 2002, he lobbied business and political leaders to support Weyerhaeuser in its hostile takeover of Willamette Industries. In early 2004, he headed a purchase of Portland General Electric (PGE) funded by Texas Pacific Group, which put on hold city and county studies to acquire PGE by condemnation.

Related Topics:
2002 - Weyerhaeuser - Willamette Industries - 2004 - Portland General Electric - Texas Pacific Group - Condemnation

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