Vic Atiyeh, Oregon's Last Republican Governor, Dies

Vic Atiyeh, Oregon’s last Republican governor, who shepherded the state through a deep recession during two terms in the 1980s, died Sunday in Portland from complications from renal failure, a family spokesman said. He was 91.

July 21, 2014 •

Vic Atiyeh, Oregon’s last Republican governor, who shepherded the state through a deep recession during two terms in the 1980s, died Sunday in Portland from complications from renal failure, a family spokesman said. He was 91.

The son of a Syrian immigrant, Gov. Atiyeh turned down an offer to play for the Green Bay Packers to take over his family’s rug business. He entered politics in the Oregon Legislature, then ran for governor and won on a platform of cutting taxes.

He wound up raising taxes because of the recession, but he was also remembered for cutting his own salary as governor three times to help balance the budget.

Caroline Cournoyer

Caroline Cournoyer is GOVERNING's senior web editor.

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Vic Atiyeh, Oregon's Last Republican Governor, Dies

Vic Atiyeh, Oregon’s last Republican governor, who shepherded the state through a deep recession during two terms in the 1980s, died Sunday in Portland from complications from renal failure, a family spokesman said. He was 91.