Brady Leonard Adams (February 28, 1945 – April 6, 2015) was an American politician and banker from Grants Pass. He served eight years in the Oregon State Senate from 1993 through 2000. Adams was a conservative Republican who represented two Southern Oregon counties in the state senate. He was President of the Oregon State Senate during the 1997 and 1999 legislative sessions. During his time in the legislature, Adams was known for his ability to work with the state's Democratic governor as well as his peers in the state legislature. Over the years, he also served on the board of directors for more than 20 non-profit organizations.
Early life
Adams was born on February 28, 1945, in Vanport, Oregon, a community built next to the Columbia River during World War II to provide housing for Portland's shipyard workers. He grew up in poverty. His parents were migrant workers who moved frequently. In addition, his father was an alcoholic who was often absent from the family. His unstable early years helped instill in him a drive to use education to better his position in life.Mapes, Jeff, "Brady Adams, former Oregon Senate President, Dies at 70 in Grants Pass" , The Oregonian/OregonLive, Portland, Oregon, April 7, 2015."Former State Senate President Brady Adams dies" , Mail Tribune, Medford, Oregon, April 7, 2015."Iconic Oregon public servant Brady Adams dies" , Associated Press report, Herald and News, Klamath Falls, Oregon April 8, 2015."In memoriam: Brady Adams, 1945-2015" , Senate Concurrent Resolution 201, Oregon Laws 2016, Oregon State Legislature, 2016 Regular Session, March 2, 2016.
Adams graduated from North Salem High School in 1963 and then went on to attend Portland State University. He worked his way through college, filling vending machines. In 1965, Adams married Patricia Jean Anderson in a wedding ceremony held in Salem, Oregon."Patricia Anderson Wed", Capital Journal, Salem, Oregon, May 6, 1965, p. 18. "Miss Anderson is Married", Statesman Journal, Salem, Oregon, May 7, 1965, p. 20. Adams earned a bachelor's degree in marketing from Portland State, graduating in 1969.
Adams moved to Grants Pass in 1971, where he took a job as a loan officer at Evergreen Federal Savings and Loan. He quickly got involved in a wide variety of charitable activities and community projects, serving on the board of directors of many local non-profit groups. Over time, he proved to be a successful banker, becoming president of the Evergreen bank in 1988.
State senator
Adams, a conservative Republican, was first elected to the Oregon State Senate in 1992. He served in the state senate for a total of eight years, completing his last term in 2000. During his tenure in the senate, he was widely recognized as a tough negotiator who worked with Oregon's Democratic governor, John Kitzhaber, and fellow legislators to find middle-ground compromises that resolved important contemporary issues."Ex-Senate Leader Adams Dies at 70", Albany Democrat-Herald, Albany, Oregon, April 8, 2015, p. A5. Aguirre, Richard R., "Session Builds, Batters Careers", Statesman Journal, Salem, Oregon, July 26, 1999, p. F5.
In 1992, Adams had decided to run for the Oregon senate seat in District 25, representing parts of Jackson and Josephine counties in Southern Oregon. He faced Drenon Carlyle of Medford in the Republican primary while Rebecca Brown of Williams and Robert Lee of Grants Pass competed for the Democratic nomination for the seat. Adams won the Republican primary, while Brown became the Democratic nominee. In the general election, Adams easily beat Brown with a two-to-one majority; Adams received 27,376 votes against Brown's 13,904 votes."Candidate List – Oregon Senate", Statesman Journal, Salem, Oregon, March 11, 1992, p. 25. "Commissioner Quits", Albany Democrat, Albany, Oregon, September 3, 1992, p. 5. "Legislature Results", Statesman Journal, Salem, Oregon, November 4, 1992, p. 4. Adams was one of five new Republican senators elected that year."Freshman in 1993 Legislature", Statesman Journal, Salem, Oregon, November 8, 1992, p. 43.
Adams took his seat in the Oregon State Senate on January 11, 1993, representing District 25. He served through the 1993 regular legislative session which ended on August 5. Adams was appointed to three committees: housing and finance, business, and revenue and school finance."1993 Regular Session (67th) January 11 – August 5" , Oregon Legislators and Staff Guide, Oregon State Archives, Salem, Oregon, accessed April 3, 2020."Senate Chooses Committee Members", Statesman Journal, Salem, Oregon, January 19, 1993, p. 16. During the session, he criticized the Oregon Land Conservation and Development Department for ignoring local planning commissions."LCDC Budget Clears Senate", Corvallis Gazette-Times, Corvallis, Oregon, June 3, 1993, p. 4. He opposed a bill to ban workplace smoking because he felt the penalties were too harsh."Senate Kills Secondhand Smoke Measure", Coos Bay World, Coos Bay, Oregon, June 23, 1993, p. 14. He also voted against a measure to create a state sales tax."How They Voted", Statesman Journal, Salem, Oregon, August 4, 1993, p. 2.
Since state senators served a four-year term, Adams did not have to run for re-election in 1994. Prior to the 1994 general election, the media reported that Adams would be a contender for a Republican leadership position when the state senate was organized for the 1995 legislative session.Blankenbaker, Ron, "November Election Offers Some Sure Things and, many more Gambles", Statesman Journal, Salem, Oregon, August 7, 1994, p. 3. After the election, Republicans held a 19 to 11 majority in the Oregon State Senate. When senate Republicans organized after the election, they chose Adams as the senate majority leader."Legislature Picks its Leaders", Statesman Journal, Salem, Oregon, November 11, 1994, p. 8. "1995 Regular Session (68th) January 9 – June 10" , Oregon Legislators and Staff Guide, Oregon State Archives, Salem, Oregon, accessed April 3, 2020.
The 1995 legislative session began on January 9 and lasted through June 10. During the session, Adams served as the majority leader, helping the President of the Senate, Gordon H. Smith, push the Republicans' legislative agenda. "The GOP Agenda", Statesman Journal, Salem, Oregon, November 13, 1994, p. 2. Adams also served in two special sessions that followed the 1995 regular session. The first special session began on July 28 and lasted through August 4."1995 First Special Session (68th) July 28 – August 4" , Oregon Legislators and Staff Guide, Oregon State Archives, Salem, Oregon, accessed April 3, 2020. The second special session, in early 1996, lasted only two days, beginning on February 1 and adjourning the following day."1996 Special Session (68th) February 1–2" , Oregon Legislators and Staff Guide, Oregon State Archives, Salem, Oregon, accessed April 3, 2020.
President of the Senate
In 1996, Adams ran for a second four-year term in Oregon's state senate, again representing District 25. He had no opposition in either the Republican primary or the general election, so he was easily re-elected to a second term."Election Filings", Statesman Journal, Salem, Oregon, March 13, 1996, p. 4. . This source is correct regarding Adams filing for re-election in District 25 and the fact that he was unopposed in the Republican primary; in addition, no Democrats ran for the District 25 seat in 1996; while the above source shows Doug Inman filing as a Democrat in District 25, he actually filed in District 24, as confirmed in this article on election results The World, Coos Bay, Oregon May 22, 1996, p. 1. .
In the 1996 election, Republicans retained control of the state senate with a 20 to 10 majority. After the election, Republican senators selected Adams as their party leader and candidate for senate president. The 1997 session began on January 13. The following day, Adams was elected President of the Senate and sworn into office."1997 Regular Session (69th) January 13 – July 5" , Oregon Legislators and Staff Guide, Oregon State Archives, Salem, Oregon, accessed April 3, 2020."The Senate", Statesman Journal, Salem, Oregon, January 13, 1997, p. 34. "Pageantry Frames Opening of Session", Statesman Journal, Salem, Oregon, January 14, 1997, p. 1. As the session got underway, Adams made senate committee assignments."Adams Picks Senate Committees", Statesman Journal, Salem, Oregon, December 18, 1996, p. 5. He also announced his legislative priorities for the session. Among other things, he said the Republican majority would focus on the state's budget process, education reform, and public financing for child care. He also said he would take action to give citizens more visibility into legislative decision making and government operations."Adams Outlines His Goals", Statesman Journal, Salem, Oregon, January 23, 1997, p. C4 (18).
During the 1997 legislative session, Republicans held majorities in both the Oregon House of Representatives and the state senate. As a result, the Republican agenda was incorporated into numerous bills. However, the Democratic governor, John Kitzhaber, vetoed 43 of those bills. Nevertheless, last-minute negotiation between Adams and the governor produced compromises that allowed key legislation to be passed and signed into law.Cain, Brad, "Tracks, Timber Fall to Kitzhaber List of Vetos", Coos Bay World, Coos Bay, Oregon, August 16, 1997, p. 3. "Legislature Approves Tax Cut for Low-Income Oregonians", Corvallis Gazette-Times, Corvallis, Oregon, July 5, 1997, p. 2. The 1997 legislative session ended on July 5 of that year.
After the 1997 legislative session ended, Adams appointed senators to 15 interim committees, each committee was assigned to study a key issue and prepare draft legislation for the 1999 legislative session to consider. Adams appointed himself to the interim committee studying budget reform."Senators Appointed to Interim Panels", Statesman Journal, Salem, Oregon, June 7, 1997, p. 8. Beggs, Charles E., "Oregon Senators Panel to Draft Own Budget Plan", Albany Democrat-Herald, Albany, Oregon, November 11, 1997, p. 6.
Once again, his four-year senate term meant that Adams did not have to run for re-election prior to the 1999 legislative session. As a result, local media speculated that Adams might run for governor against the popular incumbent Democrat, John Kitzhaber. However, Adams decided not to run for governor."Sizemore", Statesman Journal, Salem, Oregon, October 7, 1997, p. 1-2. "Sizemore Would Enliven Campaign", Statesman Journal, Salem, Oregon, October 16, 1997, p. 6C. Cain, Brad, "Lack of GOP Competition Takes Zip Out of Election", Statesman Journal, Salem, Oregon, November 2, 1998, p. A5. Instead, he endorsed fellow Republican Bill Sizemore, who was ultimately defeated by Kitzhaber in the 1998 general election.Harris, Craig, "Sizemore Outlines Campaign Platform", Statesman Journal, Salem, Oregon, January 11, 1998, p. 1 & 3. "Action Should Define Kitzhaber Second Term", Statesman Journal, Salem, Oregon, November 4, 1998, p. 6C.