Workers at Washington County Elections offices show Secretary Richardson how ballots are processed in May 2017, with Manning resident Shirley Javorsky in the purple jacket. Photo from Oregon SOS. creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/
SALEM – Oregon’s Secretary of State Dennis Richardson announced on February 4 that he will cut back his working hours amid treatment for his cancerous brain tumor.
First diagnosed in May 2018 with what Richardson described as a “small, cancerous brain tumor,” the Secretary of State said in a brief written statement that he would scale his hours back “to be able to rest and give my treatment every opportunity to succeed.”
“I can’t thank everyone enough for their countless well wishes and prayers,” Richardson wrote in his statement. “Although my cancer diagnosis was made last May, the continued outpouring of support from across Oregon and the country remains humbling.”
Richardson, just over two years into his first term as Secretary of State, said he would be in regular and frequent contact with his staff, who he lauded as doing “incredible work” and continue to be the key decision-maker on all important issues.
According to the Salem Reporter’s Aubrey Weiber, Richardson shared with state leaders that he was diagnosed with Glioblastoma, a particularly aggressive form of cancer.
The Secretary of State is responsible for overseeing elections, and auditing public spending, among other duties.
Richardson is currently the only Republican to hold statewide office, and is next in line to replace Governor Kate Brown should Brown resign or otherwise be unable discharge the duties of the office of Governor.
Chas Hundley is the editor of the Gales Creek Journal and sister news publications the Banks Post and the Salmonberry Magazine. He grew up in Gales Creek and has a cat.
