 gregory paul walden (born january 10, 1957) is the u.s. representative for , serving since 1999. he is a member of the republican party. he is the only republican representative in the state of oregon. the district covers more than two-thirds of the state (generally, east of the cascades). he is the son of paul e. walden, three-term oregon state representative. ==early life, education and career== walden earned a bachelor of science degree at the university of oregon in 1981. before being elected to congress, walden owned and ran radio stations. == political career == walden served as press secretary and chief of staff to congressman denny smith from 1981 to 1987. he was elected to the oregon house of representatives in 1988 and served in the house until 1995, when he was appointed to the oregon state senate to fill a vacancy. walden rose to the position of assistant majority leader in the senate and was considering a bid for oregon governor in 1994. however, upon discovering that the son he and his wife were expecting had a heart defect, walden decided to not run for governor and to not seek re-election to the state senate. their son died soon after birth. in 1996, walden announced he was running
1957_births American_Episcopalians Eagle_Scouts Living_people Members_of_the_Oregon_House_of_Representatives Members_of_the_United_States_House_of_Representatives_from_Oregon Oregon_Republicans Oregon_State_Senators People_from_Hood_River,_Oregon People_from_The_Dalles,_Oregon Republican_Party_members_of_the_United_States_House_of_Representatives