Gary Leif Explained

Gary Leif
State House:Oregon
District:2nd
Term Start:May 9, 2018
Term End:July 22, 2021
Predecessor:Dallas Heard
Successor:Christine Goodwin
Birth Date:November 27, 1956
Death Place:Roseburg, Oregon, U.S.
Party:Republican
Spouse:Carol

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.

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]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Representative Gary Leif Biography. July 22, 2021. www.oregonlegislature.gov. July 22, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210722195639/https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/leif/Pages/biography.aspx. live.
  2. Web site: Leif wins County Commissioner race, won't face November run-off election. KPIC. May 18, 2016. May 12, 2018. May 13, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180513081703/http://kpic.com/news/local/leif-wins-county-commissioner-race-wont-face-november-run-off-election. live.
  3. Web site: Commissioner-elect Gary Leif takes oath of office, begins term on Tuesday. KPIC. December 29, 2016. May 12, 2018. May 13, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180513081340/http://kpic.com/news/local/commissioner-elect-gary-leif-takes-oath-of-office-begins-term-on-tuesday. live.
  4. News: Commissioners appoint Leif interim state representative. Cegavske, Carisa. The News-Review. April 30, 2018. May 12, 2018. May 13, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180513152028/https://www.nrtoday.com/news/elections/commissioners-appoint-leif-interim-state-representative/article_71c60a23-3f90-5cee-8936-a479c12518e8.html. live.
  5. News: Tuesday Leif's Final Day as Commissioner. Bailey, Kyle. KQEN. May 7, 2018. May 12, 2018. May 13, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180513081835/http://kqennewsradio.com/2018/05/07/tuesday-leifs-final-day-as-commissioner/. live.
  6. News: Gary Leif selected to fill vacant District 2 seat in Oregon House. Jones, Tyler. KEZI. April 30, 2018. May 12, 2018. May 13, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180513081231/http://www.kezi.com/content/news/Gary-Leif-selected-to-fill-vacant-District-2-seat-in-Oregon-House-481312021.html. live.
  7. News: Leif announces run for state legislator position. Case, Shelby. The Umpqua Post. The World. March 3, 2018. May 12, 2018. May 13, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180513081356/http://theworldlink.com/news/local/leif-announces-run-for-state-legislator-position/article_a6a99783-f00d-59eb-bcb0-2ff9d81986d6.html. live.
  8. Web site: A Dozen Oregon Republican Lawmakers Urged the Attorney General to Support Texas Lawsuit Undermining U.S. Election Results . Tess Riski . Willamette Week . December 13, 2020 . December 13, 2020 . December 14, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201214022229/https://www.wweek.com/news/courts/2020/12/13/a-dozen-oregon-republican-lawmakers-urged-the-attorney-general-to-support-texas-lawsuit-undermining-u-s-election-results/ . live .
  9. Web site: About . Leif State Representative . https://web.archive.org/web/20180818104432/http://garyleif.com/about/ . August 18, 2018.
  10. Web site: 2018 Midterm Election Slate > Josephine County Democrats. July 28, 2020. Josephine County Democrats. en-US. July 29, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200729005157/https://josephinedemocrats.org/2018-midterm-election-slate/. live.
  11. Web site: About. July 28, 2020. Leif for State Representative. en-US. July 28, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200728231217/https://garyleif.com/about/. live.
  12. Web site: Kelly. Mena. Greater Idaho: Rural conservatives in Oregon look to join Idaho. July 28, 2020. KPTV.com. en. July 28, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200728231213/https://www.kptv.com/news/greater-idaho-rural-conservatives-in-oregon-look-to-join-idaho/article_2546257c-52c8-11ea-8826-bbe23a528b22.html. live.
  13. https://www.kezi.com/content/news/Sen-Dallas-Heard-speaks-out-about-Citizens-Against-Tyranny--573632381.html ROSEBURG SENATOR SHARES SUPPORT FOR CITIZENS AGAINST TYRANNY, DENOUNCES 'FILTHY TRAITOR' LIST
  14. Web site: Heard endorses Leif in Republican House District 2 primary, while Salter runs alone on Democratic ticket. Cegavske, Carisa. The News-Review. May 3, 2018. May 12, 2018. May 13, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180513080940/https://www.nrtoday.com/news/elections/heard-endorses-leif-in-republican-house-district-primary-while-salter/article_e19ff999-7df7-5b3d-a779-da116951bc6e.html. live.
  15. Web site: Hunt . Chelsea . OREGON STATE REPRESENTATIVE GARY LEIF DIES IN ROSEBURG . KDRV . July 22, 2021 . July 22, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210722181213/https://www.kdrv.com/content/news/Oregon-state-representative-Gary-Leif-dies-in-Roseburg-574895251.html . live .
  16. News: Gary Leif. The News-Review. August 20, 2021. January 11, 2022. January 11, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220111220719/https://www.nrtoday.com/obits/gary-leif/article_7027e37a-a919-5ac5-bb1a-f0ccea132459.html. live.