Rod Monroe

Oregon State Senator from the 24th District[citation needed]

What is Rod Monroe known for?

Rod Monroe, an American politician renowned for his contributions in Oregon, was born in McBride, British Columbia on August 20, 1942. Monroe had a notable political career in Oregon, beginning with his election to the Oregon House of Representatives in 1976, where he represented District 12 in Portland for two terms. He was subsequently elected to the Oregon Senate in 1980, representing the 7th district in Portland and was re-elected for a second Senate term in 1984.

During his tenure, Monroe was known for sponsoring safety-oriented legislation, advocating for mandatory seat belt laws, stricter drunk driving legislation, and bans on indoor smoking. He attempted a run for the Democratic nomination in the 1986 U.S. Senate election in Oregon, but finished second to Jim Weaver. Monroe faced defeat in the 1988 Democratic primary and again in 1990 when he challenged incumbent Judy Bauman for a seat in the Oregon House.

In 1992, Monroe was elected to the council of Metro, the regional government for greater Portland. He served three terms, supporting federal funding for light rail projects and the Portland Streetcar, as well as biking and pedestrian trails such as the Springwater Corridor.

Monroe re-entered the Oregon Senate in 2006 and represented District 24. However, his attempt for reelection in 2018 was thwarted by Shemia Fagan in the Democratic primary.

Before his political career, Monroe was a teacher at Tigard High School in Tigard, Oregon, where he taught history and government. He was also a member of the David Douglas school board. Monroe graduated from Franklin High School in Portland in 1960 and went on to earn both his bachelor's and master's degrees from Portland State College.

Monroe continues to live in Portland, Oregon.

More details about Rod Monroe's life and career can be found at the following resources: