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'The state of Oregon is going to miss Jackie Winters': Legislature mourns iconic state senator

A pioneer, Sen. Jackie Winters was the first African-American Republican elected to the Oregon house in 1998 before moving on to the Senate in 2002.

SALEM, Oregon — Oregon lost an influential veteran politician and dedicated public servant on Wednesday.    

Sen. Jackie Winters passed away at 82 after battling lung cancer.

A somber feeling reverberated throughout the state capitol building Thursday as Winters’ colleagues honored her. On the Senate floor, Sen. Winters' desk was draped in black cloth, a candle flickering in her absence.

The Senate met only to reflect on Winters' life Thursday morning.

"There was many things about her that just by being there you were better,” Senate President Peter Courtney (D) said to his colleagues Thursday morning. “I don't think we really understand yet what it means to not have Jackie among us."

A pioneer, Winters was the first African-American Republican elected to the Oregon house in 1998 before moving on to the Senate in 2002.

Sen. Winters has been away from the legislature for weeks as her illness progressed.

“It’s been hard not having her here because we know she really wanted to be here, but her cancer kept her away,” Sen. Tim Knopp (R) said, “Ultimately she had such a huge impact in the lives of everybody in this chamber so she’ll be deeply missed.”

For two decades, Winters was an iconic and monumental figure in Oregon politics. Those who know and love her say she was an inspirational human being, and a loving mother, grandma, and friend.

They say the Republican from Salem stood for people, and not politics.

“Her service is going to be deeply missed by the state of Oregon," Sen. Knopp said. "And the way she led and the causes she championed I think we’ll miss her.” 

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She is described as a champion for Oregon, a leader who wasn't afraid to fight for causes she cared about.

“She's the example of someone that didn't mind being the first, she didn't mind standing alone when she had to do when it came to taking a stand on important issues,” Portland Trail Blazers Corporate Communications Vice President Michael Lewellen said. 

Her colleagues in the legislature say she was passionate about justice reform, most recently for those in the juvenile criminal justice system.

Knopp says she sat on the Ways & Means Public Safety Subcommittee and was dedicated to making sure the right people remained incarcerated while focusing reform on giving offenders a second chance for rehabilitation.

Now, her legacy will live on in a sweeping juvenile justice reform package that passed out of the legislature just last week.

“She fought right up until the end and she had a big bill that passed last week and I think once that passed I think she was ready to go,” Knopp told KGW. “Jackie was a forgiving person and compassionate person, she had a big heart and she really loved to do things for people.”

The senator was also instrumental in getting a bill passed for the Portland Trail Blazers specialty license plates four years ago. Lewellen says Winters worked with the team to ensure the surcharge benefits youth-oriented initiatives and non-profits.

Lewellen was able to get to know her on a personal level as well over the years and has participated in entertaining fundraising and constituent-facing events she's has put on. 

"Her passion was all about benefiting those who needed a voice, benefiting those who were vulnerable or underserved. She was also about investing in the future of this state,” Lewellen said, “She gave the world 82 wonderful years and she leaves a legacy... I think anyone who knew her before her legislative years and certainly during can certainly be proud of the fact they knew Jackie Winters.”

Winters' legacy lives on in the inspiration she instilled and in the difference she made, but her fire and passion will be sorely missed.

No word yet on when her memorial service at the Capitol will take place.

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