IN CONGRESS, July 4, 1776.

The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America,

When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

Oregon has a proud history of independent politics.

1930's

The first independent to be elected to statewide office, Julius Meier, was elected Governor in 1930 with 54% of the vote in a 3-way race.

During his one term in office, Meier established the Oregon State Police, the State Unemployment Commission, and the State Board of Agriculture. He is credited with putting Oregon on solid financial footing in the wake of the Great Depression and with reforms that led to the creation of Oregon's non-partisan judicial system.

1950's