Senator Walker Announces Plans to Resign

Accepts Governor’s appointment to chair Board of Parole and Post-Prison Supervision.

(SALEM, Ore.) - Upon announcement of her appointment by Governor Ted Kulongoski to the State Board of Parole and Post-Prison Supervision, State Senator Vicki Walker announced plans to submit her resignation to the Oregon Secretary of State effective Sunday, July 12th 11:59 p.m.

The former chair, Steven Powers, ended his term June 30. Walker will begin work in the four-year term starting Monday, July 13th.

“I am pleased the Governor has provided me with this opportunity to serve the state in another venue,” said Walker. “Recognizing and prioritizing the needs of victims while providing offenders with an opportunity to demonstrate they can successfully re-enter society will be amongst my highest priorities.”

Senator Walker brings 25 years of experience in state government and public policy to the parole board. Prior to accepting this position, Walker was a professional court reporter and state senator from Lane County.

Her legislative career began when she was elected to the House of Representatives in 1998, and then to the Senate in 2002 where she served three sessions on the Senate Judiciary Committee. During the 2009 session, Senator Walker served on the Joint Committee on Ways & Means and the Public Safety Subcommittee, as well as co-chair of the Ways and Means Subcommittee on Natural Resources.

Since 2007, Walker has also served as one of two legislative members on the Governor’s Re-Entry Council, which is charged with improving the transition of offenders from incarceration back into the community.

“I leave the Legislative Assembly with a long legacy of providing impeccable constituent service to the citizens of my community, and standing up for those across this great state who had no voice and no seat at the table,” reflected Walker. “I have spent my entire legislative career making government accountable and accessible to the people, and lending a hand to those in need. I am truly humbled by their trust in my service,” she added.

In her resignation letter to Senate President Peter Courtney, Walker reflects on her legislative style by quoting Susan B. Anthony: “Cautious, careful people, always casting about to preserve their reputation and social standing, never can bring about a reform. Those who are really in earnest must be willing to be anything or nothing in the world’s estimation.”