Greg Walden

Greg Walden is an American politician and former broadcaster who served as the U.S. Representative for Oregon's 2nd congressional district from 1999 to 2021. A member of the Republican Party, he was the only Republican in the Oregon congressional delegation for much of his tenure and rose to chair the influential House Energy and Commerce Committee. Walden was known as a pragmatic legislator focused on issues critical to his rural district, including forestry, telecommunications, and health care.

Early life and education

Gregory Paul Walden was born on January 10, 1957, in The Dalles, Oregon, and was raised in Hood River. His parents, Paul and Germaine Walden, owned and operated the Mount Hood Railroad and a local apple and pear orchard. He attended Hood River Valley High School before enrolling at the University of Oregon in Eugene. At the University of Oregon, he studied in the School of Journalism and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in 1981.

Early career

Before entering politics, Walden worked in radio broadcasting and management. He was a news director and reporter for KUGN-AM in Eugene and later worked at KUMA-AM in his hometown of The Dalles. He and his wife, Mylene, eventually owned and operated several radio stations in Oregon, including KCID in Ontario and KLBM in La Grande. This media background provided a foundation for his political communication skills and deep familiarity with issues across eastern and southern Oregon.

U.S. House of Representatives

Walden first entered the Oregon House of Representatives in 1989, representing a district that included Hood River and Wasco counties. He served as the House Majority Leader of the Oregon House of Representatives from 1991 to 1993. In 1995, he was appointed to the Oregon Senate to fill a vacancy. He was elected to the United States House of Representatives in 1998, succeeding fellow Republican Bob Smith. He represented the vast, largely rural Oregon's 2nd congressional district, which covers all of eastern and southern Oregon. Walden easily won re-election for over two decades, often running unopposed in the Republican primary. He held significant leadership roles, including Chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) from 2011 to 2013 and Chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee from 2017 to 2019.

Political positions and legislation

Walden was considered a mainstream conservative with a focus on constituent service and practical solutions for his district. He was a key figure on telecommunications policy, co-authoring the MOBILE NOW Act to expand broadband access in rural areas. On health care, he helped draft the American Health Care Act of 2017, the Republican effort to repeal the Affordable Care Act. He was a strong advocate for the timber industry, supporting increased logging on federal lands through bills like the Resilient Federal Forests Act. He also worked on energy policy, cybersecurity, and opioid epidemic response legislation. While generally supportive of the Trump administration, he occasionally broke with the party, such as opposing the 2018 government shutdown.

Post-congressional career

After announcing his retirement in 2019, Walden left the House in January 2021. He did not seek any other elected office. He joined the consulting firm Alpine Advisors as a senior policy advisor and also became a partner at the lobbying and law firm Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough in its Washington, D.C. office. In these roles, he advises clients on energy, health care, and technology policy, leveraging his extensive congressional experience.

Personal life

Walden is married to Mylene (née Kinder) Walden, a former schoolteacher. They have one son, Anthony. The family resides in Hood River. He is an Eagle Scout and remains active in the community, including with the Boy Scouts of America. In his spare time, he enjoys hiking, fishing, and skiing in the Cascade Range. Category:1957 births Category:Living people Category:Members of the United States House of Representatives from Oregon Category:Oregon Republicans Category:Oregon state senators Category:People from Hood River, Oregon Category:University of Oregon alumni