Laurie Monnes Anderson
Encyclopedia
Laurie Monnes Anderson is a Oregon Democratic politician who currently serves in the Oregon Senate, representing District 25 in eastern Multnomah County, Oregon
, including parts of the cities of Fairview
, Gresham
, Troutdale
, and Wood Village
. She was reelected in the 2008 Oregon legislative elections.
, she grew up in Gresham, Oregon
, one of four children of Bud and Ellene Groening Monnes, who were both teachers. She graduated from Gresham High School
and received a bachelor's degree in biology from Willamette University
in 1968, and a master's in biology from the University of Colorado
in 1972. In 1981, she earned a degree in nursing from Radford University
. She married and raised two children, divorcing in 1985.
nurse, Monnes Anderson began serving on the Gresham-Barlow School District
board in 1991. In 1998, she ran for the Oregon House of Representatives
representing District 22, but lost to incumbent Ron Sunseri by 250 votes. In 2000, Sunseri did not seek re-election, and Monnes Anderson defeated Republican nominee Ed Golobay for the seat in a close election. She was re-elected to the seat (renumbered to District 50) by a wide margin in 2002 over Ernest Hodgin.
In 2004, she sought election to the Oregon Senate in District 25. In this race, she again faced Ron Sunseri, who had defeated her in her first House race in 1998. However, this time, Monnes Anderson prevailed by 9 percentage points in an expensive race.
She was unopposed for her party's nomination in 2008. She defeated Republican Dave Kim in the general election.
. She is a first cousin of cartoonist Matt Groening
, the creator of The Simpsons
. Monnes Anderson's mother, Ellene Groening Monnes, is the sister of Groening's father Homer.
Multnomah County, Oregon
Multnomah County is one of 36 counties in the U.S. state of Oregon. Though smallest in area, it is the most populous as its county seat, Portland, is the state's largest city...
, including parts of the cities of Fairview
Fairview, Oregon
As of the census of 2000, there were 7,561 people, 2,831 households, and 1,936 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,360.8 people per square mile . There were 3,116 housing units at an average density of 972.9 per square mile...
, Gresham
Gresham, Oregon
- Demographics :As of the census of 2000, there were 90,205 people, 33,327 households, and 22,695 families residing in the city. The population density was 4,071.6 people per square mile . There were 35,309 housing units at an average density of 1,593.8 per square mile...
, Troutdale
Troutdale, Oregon
Troutdale is a city in Multnomah County, Oregon, north of Gresham and east of Wood Village. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 15,962....
, and Wood Village
Wood Village, Oregon
Wood Village is a city in Multnomah County, Oregon, United States. The population was 3,878 at the 2010 census. Despite the name, Wood Village is classified as a city.-Geography:...
. She was reelected in the 2008 Oregon legislative elections.
Early life and career
Born Laurie Monnes in Coronado, CaliforniaCoronado, California
Coronado, also known as Coronado Island, is an affluent resort city located in San Diego County, California, 5.2 miles from downtown San Diego. Its population was 24,697 at the 2010 census, up from 24,100 at the 2000 census. U.S. News and World Report lists Coronado as one of the most expensive...
, she grew up in Gresham, Oregon
Gresham, Oregon
- Demographics :As of the census of 2000, there were 90,205 people, 33,327 households, and 22,695 families residing in the city. The population density was 4,071.6 people per square mile . There were 35,309 housing units at an average density of 1,593.8 per square mile...
, one of four children of Bud and Ellene Groening Monnes, who were both teachers. She graduated from Gresham High School
Gresham High School (Oregon)
-Academics:Gresham High is an official International Baccalaureate school offering the IB Diploma Program.In 2008, 81% of the school's seniors received their high school diploma. Of 450 students, 366 graduated, 45 dropped out, 15 received a modified diploma, and 24 are still in high school.-State...
and received a bachelor's degree in biology from Willamette University
Willamette University
Willamette University is an American private institution of higher learning located in Salem, Oregon. Founded in 1842, it is the oldest university in the Western United States. Willamette is a member of the Annapolis Group of colleges, and is made up of an undergraduate College of Liberal Arts and...
in 1968, and a master's in biology from the University of Colorado
University of Colorado at Boulder
The University of Colorado Boulder is a public research university located in Boulder, Colorado...
in 1972. In 1981, she earned a degree in nursing from Radford University
Radford University
Radford University is one of Virginia's eight doctoral-degree granting public universities. Originally founded in 1910, Radford offers comprehensive curricula for undergraduates in more than 100 fields, and graduate programs including the M.F.A., M.B.A...
. She married and raised two children, divorcing in 1985.
Political career
Following a career as a public healthPublic health
Public health is "the science and art of preventing disease, prolonging life and promoting health through the organized efforts and informed choices of society, organizations, public and private, communities and individuals" . It is concerned with threats to health based on population health...
nurse, Monnes Anderson began serving on the Gresham-Barlow School District
Gresham-Barlow School District
Gresham School District is a school district in the U.S. state of Oregon. It serves the cities of Boring, Damascus and Gresham.-Demographics:In the 2009 school year, the district had 145 students classified as homeless by the Department of Education, or 1.2% of students in the district.-Elementary...
board in 1991. In 1998, she ran for the Oregon House of Representatives
Oregon House of Representatives
The Oregon House of Representatives is the lower house of the Oregon Legislative Assembly. There are 60 members of the House, representing 60 districts across the state, each with a population of 57,000. The House meets at the Oregon State Capitol in Salem....
representing District 22, but lost to incumbent Ron Sunseri by 250 votes. In 2000, Sunseri did not seek re-election, and Monnes Anderson defeated Republican nominee Ed Golobay for the seat in a close election. She was re-elected to the seat (renumbered to District 50) by a wide margin in 2002 over Ernest Hodgin.
In 2004, she sought election to the Oregon Senate in District 25. In this race, she again faced Ron Sunseri, who had defeated her in her first House race in 1998. However, this time, Monnes Anderson prevailed by 9 percentage points in an expensive race.
She was unopposed for her party's nomination in 2008. She defeated Republican Dave Kim in the general election.
Personal
Monnes Anderson lives in Gresham, OregonGresham, Oregon
- Demographics :As of the census of 2000, there were 90,205 people, 33,327 households, and 22,695 families residing in the city. The population density was 4,071.6 people per square mile . There were 35,309 housing units at an average density of 1,593.8 per square mile...
. She is a first cousin of cartoonist Matt Groening
Matt Groening
Matthew Abram "Matt" Groening is an American cartoonist, screenwriter, and producer. He is the creator of the comic strip Life in Hell as well as two successful television series, The Simpsons and Futurama....
, the creator of The Simpsons
The Simpsons
The Simpsons is an American animated sitcom created by Matt Groening for the Fox Broadcasting Company. The series is a satirical parody of a middle class American lifestyle epitomized by its family of the same name, which consists of Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa and Maggie...
. Monnes Anderson's mother, Ellene Groening Monnes, is the sister of Groening's father Homer.