About Kate Brown

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Secretary of State Kate Brown has spent more than 20 years serving the people of Oregon.

After growing up in Minnesota and getting her undergraduate degree from the University of Colorado-Boulder, Kate came to Oregon to attend Lewis and Clark’s Northwestern School of Law. There, she received her law degree and Certificate in Environmental Law.

Over the years, Kate has worked in family and juvenile law, taught at Portland State University and worked with the Juvenile Rights Project.

Motivated to continue her service, Kate became a candidate to represent her neighborhood in the State House of Representatives – winning by a mere seven votes. After two successful terms, she won a spot in the State Senate. In 1998, she was elected Democratic Leader of the Senate and in 2004, her colleagues elected her as Senate Majority Leader – the first woman in Oregon history to earn that job.

Kate has had many legislative achievements – leading efforts to reduce the cost of healthcare, ensure education dollars reach the classroom and protect Oregon’s uniquely livable communities.

Kate has been a leader in making Oregon’s government accountable and transparent. She successfully pushed to get legislative meetings held in communities around the state and she spearheaded landmark legislation creating a searchable database of campaign contributions. The Oregonian described the law as the best campaign finance disclosure law in the nation.

For her work, Kate has received numerous awards:

• National Public and Community Service Award from the American Mental Health Counselors Association
• Elected Chair of the Council of State Governments West
• “Profiles in Courage” Award from Basic Rights Oregon
• Legislator of the Year Award from the Oregon Psychological Association
• Award for Outstanding Achievement by the Oregon Family Support Network
• Women of Achievement Award from the Oregon Commission for Women
• Recognized for efforts to improve safety and well-being of firefighters by the Oregon State Firefighters Council
• Living Legend Award from the Oregon Bus Project

Kate lives in Portland with her husband Dan.

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