Walt Brown
Encyclopedia
Walter Frederick Brown (born July 28, 1926) is an American
politician and was the presidential candidate of the Socialist Party USA
in the 2004 elections. Brown became a socialist in 1948. He served as Democratic
member of the Oregon State Senate
from 1975 to 1987. Brown also served as a Socialist Party of Oregon candidate for the U.S. Congress
(3rd Congressional District) in 1998, 2000, 2002 and 2004 and has been the Pacific Green Party
candidate for two statewide offices.
, to Walter Andrew Brown (August 11, 1897 - November 10, 1978), an auto mechanic and truck driver (and, later, a lawyer) and his wife Emily Anna Weber (October 30, 1897 - February 25, 1978), an elementary school
teacher. Brown has one brother and two sisters.
Brown married Barbara May Porter Stahmann (September 16, 1922 - January 12, 1999) on August 7, 1950. They had three sons, Jeff, Kendall, and David. Barbara died of an incurable brain tumor (glioblastoma multiforme
) in 1999. Brown married Beverly Lois Isbell on August 16, 2007, and the two care for a foster child and work in animal rescue.
, at the age of seventeen, June 15, 1944, Brown enlisted for active duty in the United States Navy
as a Seaman First Class. After eleven months of school in radio technician school, Brown was promoted to Radio Technician Second Class and assigned to an amphibious ship USS Carter Hall
, stationed in Shanghai
, China
. In June 1946, he was honorably discharged and enlisted into the inactive Naval Reserve. Utilizing the G.I. Bill, (September 1946 to January 1952), he attended the University of Southern California
, earning a B.A.
(law) in June 1949 (cum laude), and a J.D.
in 1952. He was a Rhodes Scholar nominee and was elected to Phi Beta Kappa.
In the spring of 1952, Brown was called back to military duty to serve in the Korean War
.
After twenty-six years of naval service, during which time he served as a public defender
; an advocate for military men with service related disabilities that were fighting the government for denied disability coverage; a trial prosecutor; an appellate criminal attorney in Washington, D.C.
; an instructor at the U.S. School of Naval Justice in Rhode Island
; a legal officer for the U.S. Naval Station in the Philippines
; and a general court martial judge in San Diego, California
, he retired with the rank of Commander in the JAG Corps
, United States Navy
in 1970.
Brown studied Constitutional Law at Harvard. In 1961, he received an MA from Boston University
, and an MLS from the University of Oregon
School of Librarianship in 1975.
, Lewis & Clark College
, teaching from 1970 to 1980.
From 1979 to 1980, he was the Malheur County Counsel and Deputy District Attorney
and was General Counsel of the Oregon Consumer League, 1987–1989, and 1991–present.
He is currently a volunteer Attorney with the Consumer Justice Alliance (from 2000–present).
In 2003 Brown received two awards from the Oregon State Bar
(in the active emeritus member category), one for the most Legal Services to the Poor, another for Total Hours of Pro Bono Services.
, elected as a Democrat, from 1974 to 1986. Probably his greatest victory in the Senate was the world's first ban on ozone
-destroying chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) in 1975, which served as a model for several other governments. The ban went into effect in 1977 in Oregon
, allowing the Oregon Legislative Assembly
to make any needed adjustments (such as to allow CFCs to continue to be used in inhalers for people with asthma
).
Brown received many awards from environmental groups for his environmental voting record while in the Oregon State Senate.
for Oregon's 3rd congressional district
four times against incumbent
Earl Blumenauer
.
Vote totals in Congressional campaigns:
(SP-USA). He went on to earn 10,837 votes, more than any of the Party's presidential candidates since 1952. The Socialist Party has run candidates for president every election cycle 1900 through 1956 (except 1924, when it endorsed the candidacy of Wisconsin
Senator Robert M. La Follette, Sr.
), and then again 1976 through 2004 (except 1984).
candidate for the office of Attorney General
in Oregon in the November 2008 elections
. Brown received 76,856 votes for 5.1% of the total vote http://www.sos.state.or.us/elections/nov42008/g08results.html.
candidate for Oregon State Treasurer
in the 2010 Oregon elections
but he ended his campaign for their nomination and ultimately received the nomination of the Progressive Party instead and was listed as the Progressive candidate in the Oregon Voters' Pamphlet. Brown finished third of four candidates with 38,316 votes (2.8%).
) and on their Agenda Committee as well. Brown is also on the Board of Directors for the Oregon Consumer League and the volunteer attorney for both the Oregon Consumer League and the Consumer-Justice Alliance. He and his wife, Beverly, volunteer to both the Sunnyside Homeless Shelter and the St. Francis Dining Hall in Portland.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
politician and was the presidential candidate of the Socialist Party USA
Socialist Party USA
The Socialist Party USA is a multi-tendency democratic-socialist party in the United States. The party states that it is the rightful continuation and successor to the tradition of the Socialist Party of America, which had lasted from 1901 to 1972.The party is officially committed to left-wing...
in the 2004 elections. Brown became a socialist in 1948. He served as Democratic
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
member of the Oregon State Senate
Oregon State Senate
The Oregon State Senate is the upper house of the state-wide legislature for the U.S. state of Oregon. Along with the lower chamber Oregon House of Representatives it makes up the Oregon Legislative Assembly. There are 30 members of the State Senate, representing 30 districts across the state,...
from 1975 to 1987. Brown also served as a Socialist Party of Oregon candidate for the U.S. Congress
United States Congress
The United States Congress is the bicameral legislature of the federal government of the United States, consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Congress meets in the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C....
(3rd Congressional District) in 1998, 2000, 2002 and 2004 and has been the Pacific Green Party
Pacific Green Party
The Pacific Green Party of Oregon is a political party in the U.S. state of Oregon. It is a member of the Green Party of the United States.The party first gained widespread public attention during Ralph Nader's presidential campaign in 2000....
candidate for two statewide offices.
Family background
Brown was born in Los Angeles, CaliforniaLos Angeles, California
Los Angeles , with a population at the 2010 United States Census of 3,792,621, is the most populous city in California, USA and the second most populous in the United States, after New York City. It has an area of , and is located in Southern California...
, to Walter Andrew Brown (August 11, 1897 - November 10, 1978), an auto mechanic and truck driver (and, later, a lawyer) and his wife Emily Anna Weber (October 30, 1897 - February 25, 1978), an elementary school
Elementary school
An elementary school or primary school is an institution where children receive the first stage of compulsory education known as elementary or primary education. Elementary school is the preferred term in some countries, particularly those in North America, where the terms grade school and grammar...
teacher. Brown has one brother and two sisters.
Brown married Barbara May Porter Stahmann (September 16, 1922 - January 12, 1999) on August 7, 1950. They had three sons, Jeff, Kendall, and David. Barbara died of an incurable brain tumor (glioblastoma multiforme
Glioblastoma multiforme
Glioblastoma multiforme is the most common and most aggressive malignant primary brain tumor in humans, involving glial cells and accounting for 52% of all functional tissue brain tumor cases and 20% of all intracranial tumors. Despite being the most prevalent form of primary brain tumor, GBMs...
) in 1999. Brown married Beverly Lois Isbell on August 16, 2007, and the two care for a foster child and work in animal rescue.
Military career and education
During World War IIWorld War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, at the age of seventeen, June 15, 1944, Brown enlisted for active duty in the United States Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
as a Seaman First Class. After eleven months of school in radio technician school, Brown was promoted to Radio Technician Second Class and assigned to an amphibious ship USS Carter Hall
USS Carter Hall (LSD-3)
USS Carter Hall was an in the United States Navy, named in honor of Carter Hall, the Millwood, Virginia estate of Lt.Col. Nathaniel Burwell ....
, stationed in Shanghai
Shanghai
Shanghai is the largest city by population in China and the largest city proper in the world. It is one of the four province-level municipalities in the People's Republic of China, with a total population of over 23 million as of 2010...
, China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
. In June 1946, he was honorably discharged and enlisted into the inactive Naval Reserve. Utilizing the G.I. Bill, (September 1946 to January 1952), he attended the University of Southern California
University of Southern California
The University of Southern California is a private, not-for-profit, nonsectarian, research university located in Los Angeles, California, United States. USC was founded in 1880, making it California's oldest private research university...
, earning a B.A.
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
(law) in June 1949 (cum laude), and a J.D.
Juris Doctor
Juris Doctor is a professional doctorate and first professional graduate degree in law.The degree was first awarded by Harvard University in the United States in the late 19th century and was created as a modern version of the old European doctor of law degree Juris Doctor (see etymology and...
in 1952. He was a Rhodes Scholar nominee and was elected to Phi Beta Kappa.
In the spring of 1952, Brown was called back to military duty to serve in the Korean War
Korean War
The Korean War was a conventional war between South Korea, supported by the United Nations, and North Korea, supported by the People's Republic of China , with military material aid from the Soviet Union...
.
After twenty-six years of naval service, during which time he served as a public defender
Public defender
The term public defender is primarily used to refer to a criminal defense lawyer appointed to represent people charged with a crime but who cannot afford to hire an attorney in the United States and Brazil. The term is also applied to some ombudsman offices, for example in Jamaica, and is one way...
; an advocate for military men with service related disabilities that were fighting the government for denied disability coverage; a trial prosecutor; an appellate criminal attorney in Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
; an instructor at the U.S. School of Naval Justice in Rhode Island
Rhode Island
The state of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, more commonly referred to as Rhode Island , is a state in the New England region of the United States. It is the smallest U.S. state by area...
; a legal officer for the U.S. Naval Station in the Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
; and a general court martial judge in San Diego, California
San Diego, California
San Diego is the eighth-largest city in the United States and second-largest city in California. The city is located on the coast of the Pacific Ocean in Southern California, immediately adjacent to the Mexican border. The birthplace of California, San Diego is known for its mild year-round...
, he retired with the rank of Commander in the JAG Corps
Judge Advocate General's Corps
Judge Advocate General's Corps, also known as JAG or JAG Corps, refers to the legal branch or specialty of the U.S. Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, and Navy. Officers serving in the JAG Corps are typically called Judge Advocates. The Marine Corps and Coast Guard do not maintain separate JAG Corps...
, United States Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
in 1970.
Brown studied Constitutional Law at Harvard. In 1961, he received an MA from Boston University
Boston University
Boston University is a private research university located in Boston, Massachusetts. With more than 4,000 faculty members and more than 31,000 students, Boston University is one of the largest private universities in the United States and one of Boston's largest employers...
, and an MLS from the University of Oregon
University of Oregon
-Colleges and schools:The University of Oregon is organized into eight schools and colleges—six professional schools and colleges, an Arts and Sciences College and an Honors College.- School of Architecture and Allied Arts :...
School of Librarianship in 1975.
Attorney career
After his extensive service in military law and courts, Brown was hired as an associate professor at the Northwestern School of LawLewis & Clark Law School
Lewis and Clark Law School is a private American law school located in Portland, Oregon. In the last ten years, L&C's Environmental Law program has been the highest-rated in the United States eight times....
, Lewis & Clark College
Lewis & Clark College
Lewis & Clark College is a private institution of higher learning located in Portland, Oregon. Made up of an undergraduate College of Arts and Sciences, a School of Law, and a Graduate School of Education and Counseling. Lewis & Clark is a member of the Annapolis Group of colleges with athletic...
, teaching from 1970 to 1980.
From 1979 to 1980, he was the Malheur County Counsel and Deputy District Attorney
District attorney
In many jurisdictions in the United States, a District Attorney is an elected or appointed government official who represents the government in the prosecution of criminal offenses. The district attorney is the highest officeholder in the jurisdiction's legal department and supervises a staff of...
and was General Counsel of the Oregon Consumer League, 1987–1989, and 1991–present.
He is currently a volunteer Attorney with the Consumer Justice Alliance (from 2000–present).
In 2003 Brown received two awards from the Oregon State Bar
Oregon State Bar
The Oregon State Bar is a government agency in the U.S. state of Oregon. Founded in 1890 as the private Oregon Bar Association, it became a public entity in 1935 that regulates the legal profession. The public corporation is part of the Oregon Judicial Department...
(in the active emeritus member category), one for the most Legal Services to the Poor, another for Total Hours of Pro Bono Services.
Oregon Senate
Brown served three terms in the Oregon State SenateOregon State Senate
The Oregon State Senate is the upper house of the state-wide legislature for the U.S. state of Oregon. Along with the lower chamber Oregon House of Representatives it makes up the Oregon Legislative Assembly. There are 30 members of the State Senate, representing 30 districts across the state,...
, elected as a Democrat, from 1974 to 1986. Probably his greatest victory in the Senate was the world's first ban on ozone
Ozone
Ozone , or trioxygen, is a triatomic molecule, consisting of three oxygen atoms. It is an allotrope of oxygen that is much less stable than the diatomic allotrope...
-destroying chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) in 1975, which served as a model for several other governments. The ban went into effect in 1977 in Oregon
Oregon
Oregon is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. It is located on the Pacific coast, with Washington to the north, California to the south, Nevada on the southeast and Idaho to the east. The Columbia and Snake rivers delineate much of Oregon's northern and eastern...
, allowing the Oregon Legislative Assembly
Oregon Legislative Assembly
The Oregon Legislative Assembly is the state legislature for the U.S. state of Oregon. The Legislative Assembly is bicameral, consisting of an upper and lower house: the Senate, whose 30 members are elected to serve four-year terms; and the House of Representatives, with 60 members elected to...
to make any needed adjustments (such as to allow CFCs to continue to be used in inhalers for people with asthma
Asthma
Asthma is the common chronic inflammatory disease of the airways characterized by variable and recurring symptoms, reversible airflow obstruction, and bronchospasm. Symptoms include wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, and shortness of breath...
).
Brown received many awards from environmental groups for his environmental voting record while in the Oregon State Senate.
United States Congress
Walt Brown ran for the United States House of RepresentativesUnited States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
for Oregon's 3rd congressional district
Oregon's 3rd congressional district
Oregon's 3rd congressional district covers most of Multnomah County, including Portland east of the Willamette River, Gresham, and Troutdale. It also includes the northern part of Clackamas County, including Milwaukie. Parts of northwest Portland also lie within the district...
four times against incumbent
Incumbent
The incumbent, in politics, is the existing holder of a political office. This term is usually used in reference to elections, in which races can often be defined as being between an incumbent and non-incumbent. For example, in the 2004 United States presidential election, George W...
Earl Blumenauer
Earl Blumenauer
Earl Blumenauer is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 1996. He is a member of the Democratic Party. The district includes most of Portland east of the Willamette River. A native of Portland, he previously spent over 20 years as a public official representing the city.-Early...
.
Vote totals in Congressional campaigns:
- 1998: 10,199
- 2000: 4,703
- 2002: 6,588
- 2004: 10,678
2004 presidential campaign
Brown was elected to be the presidential candidate of the Socialist Party USASocialist Party USA
The Socialist Party USA is a multi-tendency democratic-socialist party in the United States. The party states that it is the rightful continuation and successor to the tradition of the Socialist Party of America, which had lasted from 1901 to 1972.The party is officially committed to left-wing...
(SP-USA). He went on to earn 10,837 votes, more than any of the Party's presidential candidates since 1952. The Socialist Party has run candidates for president every election cycle 1900 through 1956 (except 1924, when it endorsed the candidacy of Wisconsin
Wisconsin
Wisconsin is a U.S. state located in the north-central United States and is part of the Midwest. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake Michigan to the east, Michigan to the northeast, and Lake Superior to the north. Wisconsin's capital is...
Senator Robert M. La Follette, Sr.
Robert M. La Follette, Sr.
Robert Marion "Fighting Bob" La Follette, Sr. , was an American Republican politician. He served as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives, was the Governor of Wisconsin, and was also a U.S. Senator from Wisconsin...
), and then again 1976 through 2004 (except 1984).
Oregon Attorney General
In 2008, Brown ran as a Pacific Green PartyPacific Green Party
The Pacific Green Party of Oregon is a political party in the U.S. state of Oregon. It is a member of the Green Party of the United States.The party first gained widespread public attention during Ralph Nader's presidential campaign in 2000....
candidate for the office of Attorney General
Oregon Attorney General
The Oregon Attorney General is a statutory office within the executive branch of the state of Oregon, and serves as the chief legal officer of the state, heading its Department of Justice with its six operating divisions. The Attorney General is chosen by statewide partisan election to serve a term...
in Oregon in the November 2008 elections
United States general elections, 2008
The 2008 United States general elections were held on November 4. The result was a significant victory for the Democratic Party on the national level, as they increased majorities in both houses of Congress and won the Presidency. Democrat Barack Obama defeated Republican John McCain in the...
. Brown received 76,856 votes for 5.1% of the total vote http://www.sos.state.or.us/elections/nov42008/g08results.html.
Oregon Treasurer
In June 2010, he was selected as the Pacific GreenPacific Green Party
The Pacific Green Party of Oregon is a political party in the U.S. state of Oregon. It is a member of the Green Party of the United States.The party first gained widespread public attention during Ralph Nader's presidential campaign in 2000....
candidate for Oregon State Treasurer
Oregon State Treasurer
The Oregon State Treasurer is a constitutional officer within the executive branch of the government of the U.S. state of Oregon, elected by statewide vote to serve a four year term. As chief financial officer for the state, the office holder heads the Oregon State Treasury, and with the Governor...
in the 2010 Oregon elections
Oregon elections, 2010
Elections were held in Oregon on Tuesday, November 2, 2010. Primary elections took place on May 18, 2010.-United States Senate:Democratic incumbent Ron Wyden is running for re-election. His Republican opponent is Jim Huffman....
but he ended his campaign for their nomination and ultimately received the nomination of the Progressive Party instead and was listed as the Progressive candidate in the Oregon Voters' Pamphlet. Brown finished third of four candidates with 38,316 votes (2.8%).
Current activities
Brown is currently the President of the Eastside Democratic Club (not affiliated with the Democratic PartyDemocratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
) and on their Agenda Committee as well. Brown is also on the Board of Directors for the Oregon Consumer League and the volunteer attorney for both the Oregon Consumer League and the Consumer-Justice Alliance. He and his wife, Beverly, volunteer to both the Sunnyside Homeless Shelter and the St. Francis Dining Hall in Portland.
The Barbara S. and Walter F. Brown Memorial Park
Near the conclusion of Brown's twelve years in the Oregon State Senate, he served as Chairman of the Senate Agriculture and Forestry Committee. At that time Brown and his wife purchased 185 acre (0.7486691 km²) of land on both sides of the Siletz River in Lincoln County on the Oregon Coast. This land had been clear-cut during WWI. They spent many years of hard work in this labor of love to reforest this land in Sitka spruce, western red cedar, and Douglas fir, all with the express intention of making it a park for all to enjoy. When Barbara died in 1999, they had not yet completed their dream. Walt Brown continued to manage this forest alone. On August 8, 2007, he donated the land to Lincoln County, which guaranteed that hunting and logging would not be allowed.Other sources consulted
- Records of the Socialist Party USASocialist Party USAThe Socialist Party USA is a multi-tendency democratic-socialist party in the United States. The party states that it is the rightful continuation and successor to the tradition of the Socialist Party of America, which had lasted from 1901 to 1972.The party is officially committed to left-wing...
- Records of the Oregon Consumer League
- Ballot Access NewsBallot Access NewsBallot Access News is a U.S.-based monthly online newsletter edited and published by Richard Winger of California, an expert on ballot access law in the United States...
- Genealogical databases
- OregonOregonOregon is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. It is located on the Pacific coast, with Washington to the north, California to the south, Nevada on the southeast and Idaho to the east. The Columbia and Snake rivers delineate much of Oregon's northern and eastern...
Secretary of StateSecretary of StateSecretary of State or State Secretary is a commonly used title for a senior or mid-level post in governments around the world. The role varies between countries, and in some cases there are multiple Secretaries of State in the Government....
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