Capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1919-1980, 1919-11-07
kOZER ENTERS RACE
FOR NOMINATION AS
STATE SECRETARY

Easing his bid for recognition on
ms long experience and intimate
hno"iedge of state, departmental and
institutional affairs and of the duties
Oh secretary. of state in particular as
gained through 20 years of active SER
wee in that department, Sam a no
zer, deputy secretary of state under
ben W. Oleott for the past eight
years, today announced himself as n
candidate for the republican nomina-
tlon for secretary of state subject to
the viii of the voters at the NAV.
1870, primary election.
Although there have been MANY
specuiatiohs as to possible candidates
Tor this position, which promises to
DC the most sought for state office
IN the next campaign, Mr. Kozer is
the 1irst to definitely declare hirsa,f
as an ayowed candidate for the nosi-
uon and his formal announcement
given to the press today is in reality
the opening gun of the 1920 political
campaign in Oregon.
20 Years in Office
sam" as he is familiarlv tno,,
,h state mouse circles and among the
hundreds OF his friends over the state
gained through his long service IN
.ne employ of the state, was first in
,roouced to the secretary of stata,S
uopart'nent in January, 1899, when he
vas appointed to the position of mud
ltlng clerk by Secretary of State
FRANK L. Dunbar. Upon the retire
ment of Mr. Dunbar from office in
January, 1907, after eight years of
service. kozer was elevated to the
position of chief clerk by Frank w.
benson who succeeded Dunbar as
secretary of state.
On March l, 1909, Kozer was an
pointed to the office of insurance
commissioner by Benson who had
succeeded to the office of governor
through the resignation of George
chamberlain to become United States
senator from Oregon. This position
hozer retained until September. 1911.
When he resigned at the earnest So
hcitation of Secretary of State Olcott
to become deputy secretary Of state
Which position he still holds being at
this time practically in complete
charge of the department in that the
entire time of Olcott is occupied with
the duties of, governor
Familiar with Work
his long association with the de-
partment, it Is contended bv his
friends, peculiarly fits him for the
important position to which he as
pires and which position he now fills
In all except the name.
Kozer was born in Cumberland
county, Pa, October 10. 1871, passing
his 4Sth birthday last month. The
tirst IL years of his life were spent
in the town of his birth, coming to
Oregon in June. 1890 and locating
permanently in Astoria where he still
maintains his residence.
Il have always believed that a
public official is, in fact, a public
servant, and wherever / have been
engaged in such a capacity have al
ways endeavored to serve the people
10 the fullest extent of my ability
declares statement issued by Kozer
today in connection with the an
nouncement of his candidacy. "If the
people or Oregon see fit to honor me
with the nomination for secretary Of
state at the coming primary election
ana elect me to that office at the
general election in November. 1920,
IL VIII be my high purpose to serve
them as I have in the past to the
extent of my ability and capacity and
endeayor to merit the confidence and
responsibility reposed in me l shall
feel that l have given fitting service
II measure up TO the standard which
has been established by the present
occupant Of the Office
W d. Lynch was among the Port