born june american businessman democratic politician state oregon held local state federal offices decades serving governor oregon widely considered influential figure state politics elected public official policy consultant legacy career severely damaged revelations sexual relationship young teenage girl term mayor portland elected mayor portland youngest mayor major american city promoted downtown portland influential portland area transportation policy particularly abandonment mount hood freeway establishment appointed secretary transportation president capacity worked revive ailing automobile industry industries served end carter presidency served senior executive years elected 33rd governor oregon serving single term faced significant challenges particularly rising anti tax movement leading measure doubling state prison population worked party lines reduce regulation repair state infrastructure term oregon emerged nearly years recession reforms state chartered worker compensation insurance company heralded time drew strong criticism later years despite popularity left office term influential controversial dozen years criticized editorial boards causes supported including backing forestry corporation hostile takeover oregon advocacy private investment firm attempt local utility company governor appointed position resigned admitting sexual relationship minor girl years earlier early life born eugene oregon june graduated later attended eugene served student body president school graduating bachelor degree political science served intern senator washington recruited new_york congressman voter registration mississippi freedom summer civil rights campaign married children divorced earned law degree worked legal aid lawyer portland oregon political career entered politics oregon began decades public eye state serving mayor oregon populous city state governor served cabinet president commissioner mayor won seat city commissioner later mayor portland participated downtown section city led freeway revolt unpopular mount hood freeway building consensus labor unions powerful entities divert federal funds initially freeway projects ultimately expanding federal funds brought region include max light rail line widely credited opening city government neighborhood activists minorities appointing women african americans dominated old boy network mayoral campaign questioned benefit expanding city police force preferring direct resources crime prevention according reporter thirty years oregon successful charismatic leader governor appointed known governor task force tasked exploring regional transportation solutions served alongside notable leaders chair board chair considered state leading power broker transportation issues prominent lawyer president board directors task force considered unpopular deal funded construction mount hood freeway southeast portland deal funded rescinded later reversing positions advising initially opposed funds light rail instead favoring suitable local road projects deadline funds approached light rail attractive prospect process clearly documented light rail included final plan federal money initially intended mount hood freeway ultimately went road projects total doubled leg max light rail approved ultimately completed secretary transportation sixth secretary transportation appointment president came july year restructuring carter administration cabinet positions united_states senate confirmed appointment september sworn september position known work revive auto industry efforts airline railroad industries newcomer carter administration national politics traded experience transportation planning political following carter unsuccessful bid election expressed doubts democratic_party future couldn learn political allies effectively time informed understanding politics remained office remainder carter administration late republican presidential hopeful called resignation members united_states later having suggested transportation funds municipalities chicago philadelphia supported primary election bid carter resigned conclusion carter term january positions public office executive 1980s serving international vice president president considered potential chair governor oregon june announced candidacy oregon governor familiarity access large donations business political ties democratic runner easily defeated oregon state senator democratic primary defeated republican secretary state general election succeeding term republican governor state 33rd governor policy economic development brought democratic liberals republican business leaders personal focus children rights poverty crime challenge meeting increasing needs decreasing budget overshadowed tenure anti tax movement took hold term passing landmark measure restricted generation revenue property tax credited leading oregon comeback bringing state nearly years recession regulatory reform repair state infrastructure oversaw major expansion state prison system hired state prisons investigator described operated independent charged supervising plan add new beds prison system murdered parking lot agreements business labor insurance interests changed state workers compensation regulations workers compensation contentious issue oregon time state run approximately workforce legislature passed law result changes considered benefit insurance industry business interests expense required establish extensively employers responsible injuries issue contentious time involving lawsuits efforts modify law governor attempted reform system led new law legislature complicated ruling occurred children agenda important oregon community initiatives helped create reader today smart literacy program puts volunteers oregon schools read children declined run election despite widely held perception easily elected time cited marital difficulties driver start term later widely rumored romantically involved wife later date openly divorced hoped time serve terms noting predecessor accomplishments came second term farewell address stated years left finished leaving elected office founded law consulting firm inc portland days leaving office governor clients included enterprises subsidiary elected office widely considered powerful political figure state years influence extended state nation member board early advocate controversial connected research hospital real estate projects longtime associates near land owners later represented stayed active portland advocating expansion strip open park space cutting downtown portland assisted deal led construction portland international airport opened started start making reader today smart volunteer program oregon schools drew criticism recent years business activities lobbied business political leaders support hostile takeover inc fortune company headquartered portland early backed purchase hold city county studies acquire condemnation criticism business activities peaked november governor nominated appointment initially expected meet little opposition state senators voiced concerns involvement possible dealings wife senator particular emerged outspoken critic increased scrutiny career including reporters difficulties records time governor ultimately led revelation illegal sexual relationship minor girl occurred decades time mayor portland revelations ended extensive career center oregon politics revelation sexual abuse rapid series events resulted confession sexual relationship young teenage girl 1970s quick demise political career including prominent organizations transfer documents privately run state run pressure publicly announced engaged sexual relationship year old girl victim later indicated extended period term mayor portland sex person years age constitutes degree rape oregon law years prison time relationship public statute limitations expired making immune prosecution matter oregon law required register sex convicted crime degree rape fact registration law didn pass illicit sexual relationship ended registration oregon case law determined registration offenders acts committed prior passage law violate oregon constitution united_states constitution prohibition post facto laws letter published page differed account notably length relationship nearly year according years according week use term affair characterize criticized coverage use term affair writers editors acknowledged mistakes handling story denied desire protect motivated mistakes week article written awarded pulitzer prize investigative reporting initial negotiations agreed resign positions decision run second term governor long subject speculation finally explained developments revealed assisted businessman keeping girl secret return gave support unsuccessful bid extend lease appeal forgiveness longer prosecuted offense began investigation matter submitted form resignation received bar says aware eligible following complaints local media limited access public papers stored state announced seize boxes documents guarantee public access defined state law passed law required public access records maintained specify records kept following decision documents care state legislature passed law requiring future governors leave documents state archives records published state archives web site early scandal affected numerous people organizations associated people accused knowing crime failing act accordingly worked governor recalled tell rumors county sheriff admitted knowing abuse announced early retirement february march president speaker house released statement governor portrait removed walls building salem storage respect victim articles report president secretary transportation january january washington_post march highways bush new_york_times statement retrieved
Neil Goldschmidt