John Kitzhaber Biography

John Albert Kitzhaber (born March 5, 1947) is an American physician and former politician. He is the longest-serving governor in Oregon's history, as well as the only Oregon governor to resign because of a scandal. He served two terms from 1995 until 2003, another full-term from 2011 until 2015, and was sworn in for a fourth term on January 12, 2015. He resigned on February 18, 2015, with state and federal investigations into criminal allegations against him and his fiancée, Cylvia Hayes. A member of the Democratic Party, Kitzhaber previously served in the Oregon House of Representatives (1979–81) and Oregon Senate (1981–93), including as Senate President (1985–93). He was also an emergency physician and has worked as a health care administrator.