Gary Leif

Gary Leif (November 27, 1956 – July 22, 2021) was an American politician and businessman serving as a Republican member of the Oregon House of Representatives. He represented the 2nd district.

Gary Leif
Member of the Oregon House of Representatives
from the 2nd district
In office
May 9, 2018 – July 22, 2021
Preceded byDallas Heard
Succeeded byChristine Goodwin
Personal details
Born(1956-11-27)November 27, 1956
DiedJuly 22, 2021(2021-07-22) (aged 64)
Roseburg, Oregon, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
SpouseCarol

Early life and education

Leif was raised in Douglas County, Oregon. He attended Umpqua Community College; the Brooks Institute for Photography; and the University of California, Santa Barbara, but did not earn a degree.[1]

Career

For over four decades, Leif owned a photography studio in Roseburg. He was elected to the Douglas County Commission in 2016.[2][3]

Following the resignation of Representative Dallas Heard who was appointed to take a seat in the Oregon Senate, Leif was appointed to the state House of Representatives on April 30, 2018, and sworn in on May 9, 2018.[4][5][6] He had previously announced his bid for the seat in March 2018.[7]

On December 11, 2020, Leif and 11 other state Republican officials signed a letter requesting Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum join Texas and other states contesting the results of the 2020 presidential election in Texas v. Pennsylvania. Rosenblum announced she had filed on behalf of the defense, and against Texas, the day prior.[8]

Political positions

Leif was anti-abortion.[9] He opposed sanctuary cities and favored sending Oregon National Guard troops to the Mexico–United States border.[10][11] Leif advocated for Eastern Oregon to be incorporated as a part of Idaho.[12] Leif joined other Douglas County politicians in opposition to the local group, Citizens Against Tyranny, although his predecessor, Heard, had co-founded the group. Heard said the group's posting of a list of names of whistleblowers who had complained about the failure of local businesses to abide by restrictions that had been imposed by Oregon Governor Kate Brown to help control the COVID-19 pandemic in 2010, should not have been publicized.[13]

Death

Leif formerly resided in Winston, Oregon. He died of cancer on July 22, 2021.[14][15][16]

References
  1. "Representative Gary Leif Biography". www.oregonlegislature.gov. Retrieved July 22, 2021.
  2. "Leif wins County Commissioner race, won't face November run-off election". KPIC. May 18, 2016. Retrieved May 12, 2018.
  3. "Commissioner-elect Gary Leif takes oath of office, begins term on Tuesday". KPIC. December 29, 2016. Retrieved May 12, 2018.
  4. Cegavske, Carisa (April 30, 2018). "Commissioners appoint Leif interim state representative". The News-Review. Retrieved May 12, 2018.
  5. Bailey, Kyle (May 7, 2018). "Tuesday Leif's Final Day as Commissioner". KQEN. Retrieved May 12, 2018.
  6. Jones, Tyler (April 30, 2018). "Gary Leif selected to fill vacant District 2 seat in Oregon House". KEZI. Retrieved May 12, 2018.
  7. Case, Shelby (March 3, 2018). "Leif announces run for state legislator position". The Umpqua Post. The World. Retrieved May 12, 2018.
  8. Tess Riski (December 13, 2020). "A Dozen Oregon Republican Lawmakers Urged the Attorney General to Support Texas Lawsuit Undermining U.S. Election Results". Willamette Week. Retrieved December 13, 2020.
  9. "About". Leif State Representative. Archived from the original on August 18, 2018.
  10. "2018 Midterm Election Slate > Josephine County Democrats". Josephine County Democrats. Retrieved July 28, 2020.
  11. "About". Leif for State Representative. Retrieved July 28, 2020.
  12. Mena, Kelly. "Greater Idaho: Rural conservatives in Oregon look to join Idaho". KPTV.com. Retrieved July 28, 2020.
  13. ROSEBURG SENATOR SHARES SUPPORT FOR CITIZENS AGAINST TYRANNY, DENOUNCES 'FILTHY TRAITOR' LIST, KEZI, January 20, 2021. Retrieved July 25, 2021.
  14. Cegavske, Carisa (May 3, 2018). "Heard endorses Leif in Republican House District 2 primary, while Salter runs alone on Democratic ticket". The News-Review. Retrieved May 12, 2018.
  15. Hunt, Chelsea. "OREGON STATE REPRESENTATIVE GARY LEIF DIES IN ROSEBURG". KDRV. Retrieved July 22, 2021.
  16. "Gary Leif". The News-Review. August 20, 2021. Retrieved January 11, 2022.
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