Jim Bunn

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Jim Bunn
Jim Bunn
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Oregon's 5th district
In office
January 3, 1995 – January 3, 1997
Preceded by Michael J. Kopetski
Succeeded by Darlene Hooley
Born December 12, 1956 (1956-12-12) (age 51)
McMinnville, Oregon
Political party Republican
Spouse Sonja Skurdal

James "Jim" Bunn (b. December 12, 1956) is an American politician from Oregon.

Contents

[edit] Early life

Bunn was born in McMinnville and graduated from Dayton High School. He earned a bachelor's degree from Northwestern Nazarene College in 1979. Bunn worked in agribusiness, and from 1987 until his election to Congress, served in the Oregon National Guard.

Bunn, a Republican, was a member of the Oregon State Senate from 1987 to 1995, where he served as Republican whip from 1990 to 1995.

[edit] U.S. Congress

In 1994, he was elected to the United States House of Representatives, representing Oregon's 5th congressional district. During his one term in the House from 1995 to 1997, Bunn divorced his wife of 17 years with whom he had 5 children and married an aide in his congressional office, Sonja Skurdal, whom he made his chief of staff. Bunn then paid Skurdal more than any other congressional aide at that time. [1] In the 1996 election, this scandal contributed to his loss to Democrat Darlene Hooley.[2]

[edit] After Congress

After leaving Congress, Bunn became a prison guard at the Yamhill County jail.[1][3] In 2008, he was a candidate for the Oregon House of Representatives in the state's 24th district which includes McMinnville, but was defeated in the primary by Jim Weidner.[4]

[edit] Political family

Bunn's family includes other notable public figures, such as his brother Stan Bunn, a former Oregon Superintendent of Public Instruction. Another brother, Tom Bunn, is a former Yamhill County commissioner.[5]

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b Jaquiss, Nigel. "Jim Bunn: A former congressman now pulls the midnight swing shift at the local jail", Willamette Week, January 3, 2001. Retrieved on 2007-04-17. 
  2. ^ Doherty, Carroll (January 24, 1998). Heavy workload exacted a toll. CNN.com. Retrieved on 2007-04-17.
  3. ^ Sullivan, Julie; Brent Walth. "Ex-lawmaker watches reforms exceed intent", The Oregonian, December 10, 2000. Retrieved on 2006-04-17. 
  4. ^ Green, Ashbel S (2008-05-21). Kroger defeats Macpherson for attorney general. Retrieved on 2008-05-22.
  5. ^ Wong, Peter. "Bunn seeks return to state Legislature", Statesman-Journal, 2008-03-20. Retrieved on 2008-04-21. 

[edit] External links

Preceded by
Michael J. Kopetski		 Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Oregon's 5th congressional district
1995–1997		 Succeeded by
Darlene Hooley