Wally Priestley
American politician
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Wally Priestley was an American politician and activist who served on the Oregon House of Representatives.
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Wally Priestley | |
|---|---|
Priestley in 1964 | |
| Member of the Oregon House of Representatives from the 6th district | |
| In office January 11, 1965 – May 23, 1969 | |
| Preceded by | J. E. Bennett |
| Succeeded by | Howard Cherry |
| Member of the Oregon House of Representatives from the 16th district | |
| In office January 8, 1973 – September 3, 1982 | |
| Succeeded by | Barbara Roberts |
| Member of the Oregon House of Representatives from the 17th district | |
| In office January 10, 1983 – July 30, 1984 | |
| Preceded by | Barbara Roberts |
| Succeeded by | Mike Burton |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1930 or 1931 |
| Died | (aged 59) Portland, Oregon, U.S. |
| Party | Democratic |
| Alma mater | Oregon State University, Portland State University |
| Profession | Politician, activist |
Early life and education
Wally Priestley grew up in St. Johns, Portland, Oregon and graduated from Jefferson High School.[1] He enlisted in the United States military and fought in the Korean War. After the war, he attended Oregon State University and Portland State University.[1] He worked various jobs, including as an electronics test engineer, tugboat dispatcher, and real estate salesman, before entering politics.[1]
Career
Wally Priestley was first elected to the Oregon House of Representatives from the 6th House district in 1964.[2][3] He represented the district until losing in the 1970 election to Howard Cherry.[1][2] After redistricting, Priestley was elected to the newly created 16th House district in 1972.[1][3] He was assigned to the House Committee on Aging and Minority Affairs in 1980.[1] He represented the 17th House district from 1983 to 1985.[2][3] He also served on the Portland School Board from 1976 to 1981 and was a member of the Multnomah County Education Service District board from 1976 to 1980.[3][1]
Political positions
Priestley was a member of the Democratic Party and the Democratic Socialists of America[4] and has been described as a populist.[3] Priestley was arrested multiple times throughout his life as a "devout believer in civil disobedience"; he was arrested while organizing for the United Farm Workers, protesting against the Vietnam War, blocking the United States Navy with a rubber raft, and protesting United States intervention in Central America during a visit to Portland by vice president Dan Quayle.[1][5] Jack Faust described Priestly as "a walking encyclopedia of liberal causes."[3]
He supported legislation to raise the corporate tax rate by 50%.[1] He lobbied for the 1980 Ballot Measure 7, which required voter approval and the creation of a nuclear waste disposal facility before a nuclear power plant could be created.[1]
Death
Priestley suffered from chronic asthma.[3] He died of an acute respiratory attack in Portland, Oregon on September 10, 1990 at the age of 59.[3]
Priestley had placed top two in the May 1990 primary for the District 2 seat on the Multnomah County Board of Commissioners. Following his death, his name was removed from the ballots for the November 1990 runoff election.[3]