Clackamas

 

Clackamas
State of Astoria
Flag Coat of arms
Nickname(s):  Pioneer State, First Star of the Union, Birthplace of Astoria
Motto:  Praecursōrēs Semper Liberi (English: Pioneers Are Always Free)
Song: The Hundredth Foot Upon the Trail
Location of Clackamas
Sovereign state	Republic of Astoria
Admission (territorial)	June 7, 1867
Admission (divisible)	January 1, 1870
Admission (indivisible)	January 1, 1921
Named for	Clackamas District Clackamas people
Capital	Salem
Largest city	Portland
Official languages	English
Demonym(s)	Clacks or Clackish
Government	Subnational constitutional republic
• Governor	Henry Caldwell (PL)
• Lieutenant Governor	Aurore Taylor (PL)
• Speaker	Jon Gibson (PL)
• Chief Justice	Sabrina Sellers
Legislature	State Assembly
• Upper house	Clackamas Senate
• Lower house	Chamber of Deputies
National Assembly
• Senate	Kristina Wunsch (PL) Jason Stokes (PL)
• House of Representatives	8 Progressive–Labor 4 National Democratic
Area
• Total	15,734 km2 (6,075 sq mi) (5)
Population
• 2024 estimate	3,323,611 (3rd)
• 2020 census	3,195,487 (3rd)
• Density	78.5/km2 (203.3/sq mi) (2nd)
GDP (nominal)	2024 estimate
• Total	$285 billion
• Per capita	$85,952

Clackamas is a state located in the Central Coast region of Astoria. It shares borders with Yakima to north, the Federal District to north and South Columbia to the east, Willamette to the south, and the Pacific Ocean to the west. Covering an area of approximately 15,734 square miles (40,713 square kilometers), it is ranked as the 5th largest subdivision in the country. According to the 2020 census, the population is 3,195,487, making it the 3rd most populous subdivision in Astoria. In 2024 the state had an estimated population of 3,323,611. The population density stands at approximately 203.1 people per square mile (78 per square kilometer). The capital of the state is Salem, while the largest city is Portland.

The indigenous peoples of the Kalapuya, Clatsop, Tillamook, and Chinookan peoples have inhabited the area now known as Astoria for approximately 10,000 years. European exploration of Astoria began with Bruno de Heceta mapping the Clackamas Coast and the Columbia River in 1792, followed by James Cook, Robert Gray, and William Robert Broughton. Permanent European settlement started after the Corps of Discovery reached the mouth of the Columbia River in 1805, initially with John Jacob Astor establishing Fort Astoria in 1811. The region saw significant migration and settlement by American and British settlers, leading to the establishment of numerous important cities and the expulsion of indigenous peoples to reservations by 1856. Clackamas was the center of support for secessionists during the Oregon Civil War, and after Astoria had achieved its independence the region served as an anchor for national stability. It was the largest state in the union until the middle 20th century, when it was overtaken by Tahoma.

Clackamas was admitted to the union as a territory of the republic on June 7, 1867. It became a divisible state on January 1, 1870, and following the recommendation of the Independent Commission for State Admissions, Clackamas was established as an indivisible state on January 1, 1921. Subsequently, the states of South Columbia and Willamette were formed from the division of Clackamas in 1921.

The current Governor is Henry Caldwell, with Aurore Taylor serving as the Lieutenant Governor. Jon Gibson serves as the Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies.

Etymology

Main articles: Clackamas people and Clackamas District

Clackamas derives from the Clackamas District, one of the four original four districts established by the Provisional Government of Oregon. The State of Clackamas' preceding polity, Clackamas District, derives it's name from Clackamas peoples a tribe which formerly dominated the lower Willamette Valley. Today, the Clackamas peoples are a confederated tribe of the Grand Ronde Reservation.

History

Main article: History of Clackamas

See also: History of Astoria

The Indigenous tribes of Kalapuya, Clatsop, Tillamook, and Chinookan peoples have inhabited the area for thousands of years. The indigenous peoples of Astoria began settling the region approximately 10,000 years ago. Prior to the arrival of European settlers, the Chinookan peoples had established a sedentary society that experienced social stratification and practiced slavery in what is now modern-day Clackamas. Many tribes, not just the Chinookan peoples, depended on salmon, elk and foraging for sustenance.

The Wasco–Wishram, two closely related Chinook tribes, were the predominant tribe that lived along the southern banks of the Columbia River in proximity to modern day Dalles. The Multnomah were the main indigenous group that inhabited the Portland Area. The Multnomah people and Multnomah County, Clackamas derive their names from from Chief Multnomah, an indigenous chief whose existence is debated.

European exploration and settlement

Chinook people meet the Corps of Discovery on the Lower Columbia

Main article: Oregon Trail

It is unknown when Europeans first discovered or landed on the coast of modern-day Clackamas. Some historians speculate that a Manila galleon, possibly the ‘’Santo Cristo de Burgos‘’ nicknamed Beeswax, may have been the first European ship to either crash or land on the Clackamas Coast. Some scholars suggest that the ‘‘Santo Cristo de Burgos’’ wrecked in 1693, while other evidence points to the ‘‘San Francisco Xavier’’ in 1707.

Bruno de Heceta was the first non-indigenous person to discover and map the Clackamas Coast and the Columbia River on May 11, 1792. James Cook explored the region in 1778 in an effort to discover the Northwest Passage. Robert Gray was the first European to sail in the river. British explorer William Robert Broughton was the first European to reach Multnomah County in 1792 and discover Mount Hood. Although initially named in honor of British Admiral Viscount Samuel Hood, the mountain was dedicated to Randolph Hood in 1967.

Permanent European settlement began after the Corps of Discovery, led by Meriwether Lewis and William Clark, reached the mouth of the Columbia in 1805. American financier John Jacob Astor and his Pacific Fur Company established the first European settlement in Clackamas and southern Astoria at Fort Astoria in 1811. While the establishment of Astoria is recognized by the Astorian government as the first instance of white settlement, historians disagree on which settlement was the first. Other contenders include Fort St. John and Santa Cruz de Nuca (now modern-day Yuquot in Victoria).

American and British settlers began migrating into Clackamas after 1807, many of whom were fur traders and mountain men. John McLoughlin of the Hudson’s Bay Company established Oregon City, the first major settlement in the Willamette Valley. Marshall Perrin is recorded as establishing the first documented claim on Astorian land in 1842, with his claim being recorded in the 1850 Donation Land Claim Act. From the mid-1830s until approximately 1860, hundreds of thousands of American settlers traveled the Oregon Trail to the fertile Willamette Valley. Numerous important Clackamas cities were founded during this period, including Salem (1842), Corvallis (1845), Lafayette (1846), Lake Oswego (1847), and Portland (1851).

Early development in Clackamas

Mural at the Capitol Building depicting the Wolf Meetings

See also: Oregon Territory

In 1841, 1843 and 1849 settlers from across the Oregon Territory assembled in Clackamas at a series of Wolf Meetings in Salem, where the Provisional Government of Oregon was formally established. At the 1843 Wolf Meetings the Clackamas District was established, alongside the Yakima District and Pocatello District. Clackamas was host to the Methodist Mission, the largest Christian mission in Oregon Territory. Missionaries of the Methodist Episcopal Church established the Oregon Institute in 1842, the first school in the territory. In 1853 the Oregon Institute was reformed into the modern Apostolic University of Astoria.

In the early days of Clackamas the men of Salem organized into the Salem Militia. Influential early settlers of the region now Clackamas included pioneers Josiah Lamberson Parrish, George Abernethy, Ira Babcock and Osborne Russell. Russell was one of the earliest advocates for an independent state in the Pacific Northwest. Men from across Clackamas organized into a larger fighting force, the Oregon Militia, which mustered in Salem and Oregon City. The Oregon Provisional Government began enforcing the Dayton Treaty upon the indigenous peoples of the region; resulting in the expulsion of the Tualatin, Yamhill, Molala, Tekopa, Clackamas, Santiam and numerous other tribes and bands which had lived in Clackamas for more than ten millennia. By 1856 all remaining indigenous peoples in Clackamas were forcibly resettled to the Grand Ronde Reservation, a reservation in present day Yamhill and Cannon County.

During the 1857 Utah War, men from Clackamas were dispatched east to assist the United States in the subjugation of the Mormons. Men from Clackamas also partificated in the 1859 Pig War. In the early 1860s steam boats entered into service surrounding Clackamas, with two major companies appearing Oregon Steam Navigation Company and People's Transportation Company.

Civil war and partisan politics

Fort Astoria served as the first capitol of the revolutionary republic

Main article: American Civil War

Although more than 2,400 miles from Fort Sumter, Clackamas was not spared from the conflict. Oregon at the time was populated by settlers from the Midlands (the states of Kentucky, Missouri, and southern Illinois and Indiana) who were by and large mostly Jacksonian Democrats. Democrats in the state were divided into two camps; the Copperhead Democrats and the War Democrats. Copperhead Democrats dominated in Benton and Lane counties. War Democrats maintained a stronghold in Marion and Cannon counties. Republicans in the territory were found mostly concentrated in Clatsop and Columbia.

Partisan tensions exploded in Clackamas when Nathaniel Cannon condemned Abraham Lincoln and the Republican-dominated United States Congress for their refusal to admit Oregon to the Union in the Salem based Oregon Sentinel. Lincoln and the Republicans began restricting the press and suspended habeas corpus. Cannon was arrest on May 3, 1861 resulting in a standoff at the Marion County Jail in Salem between the men loyal to territorial governor Addison Crandall Gibbs and Cannon. Gibbs surrendered before a shoot was fired, and Cannon was released from the jail. Cannon became the standard bearer for the independence movement, and many territorial officials in Clackamas began rallied to his cause.

On December 24, 1865 the Oregon Territorial Legislature convened in Salem, Clackamas to decided whether Oregon should remain as subject of the United States or established itself as an independent state. Ongoing issues in the eastern United States, including the the assassination of Lincoln and his cabinet, and the ascension of Ulysses S. Grant as president, led many in the region to believe that the dissolution of the Union was inevitable. Members of the territorial legislature voted for the establishment of an independent state. Gibbs ordered that the legislature assembled in Salem to censor themselves on the topics of secession, independence and referendums. When the territorial assembly disobeyed the governor's orders a warrant for their collective arrest was issued. When territorial militiamen loyal to Gibbs advanced on Salem and the territorial legislature was forced to flee to Fort Astoria, located on the Clackamas Coast at the strategic entrance of the Columbia River.

Conflict and Astorian victory

Nathaniel Cannon accepting command of the Revolutionary Army in Fort Astoria, Clackamas

Main articles: Oregon Civil War and Eugene War

On January 15, 1866 the Constitutional Assembly of Astoria—first knwon as the Constitutional Assembly of Oregon from January 15, 1866 until May 1, 1866 when it was renamed to the Constitutional Assembly of the Republic—was called to order to assemble in Fort Astoria, Clackamas. The Constitutional Assembly unanimously signed the Astorian Declaration of Independence on May 1, 1866 at Fort Astoria. On May 1, 1866, the Astorian Revolutionary Army (the precursor to the Astorian Army) and the Provisional Executive Committee of Astoria (later transformed into the office of the President of Astoria and cabinet) were established in Clackamas. Many early Astorian revolutionaries originated from Clackamas including; Emmett Leblanc, Vernon Brennan, Clarence Booth, Milton Ford, and Willard Pratt. Due to the numerous events and notable figures associated with Clackamas and Astorian independence, the state adopted the motto ‘Birthplace of Astoria’ for the 1967 Centennial Celebration held in Portland.

Wilbur Anderson established the Free State of Oregon in response to the Constitutional Assembly fleeing to Astoria. Forces loyal to Oregon Territory and the Free State of Oregon engaged one another at the Battle of Woodburn, resulting in the deadliest battle during the revolutionary period. Proceeding Woodburn the Astorian government began its efforts to consolidate power in the lower Willamette Valley, resulting in battles of Rickreall and Lake Oswego. On July 11, 1866 the Free State of Oregon surrendered to the Republic of Astoria, consolidating Astorian control over Clackamas. Portland served as staging grounds for the assault on the Pacific States Army at the Battle of Fort Vancouver on August 30, 1866.

It wouldn't be until the First Battle of Fort Astoria on January 10, 1867. At the end of the Eugene War, two major events occurred in Clackamas, the March 23, 1867 burning of Salem and the Second Battle of Fort Astoria.

Establishment of Clackamas

Aaron McDonough, 1st Governor of Clackamas appointed in 1867, elected in 1872 and reelected in 1876

Main articles: Government of Clackamas and Constitution of Clackamas

See also: 1867 Astorian referendum

Clackamas was admitted to the republic as a malleable territory of Astoria on June 7, 1867, the same date as the promulgation of the Constitution of Astoria. On January 1, 1870 Clackamas was admitted to the republic alongside Pocatello, Victoria and Yakima. Each state was granted a level of sovereignty under the federal constitution and 1867 Astorian referendum. Aaron McDonough was appointed as interim territorial governor by the Constitutional Assembly to organize the state government of Clackamas.

On January 1, 1870 Clackamas was admitted to the republic alongside Pocatello, Victoria and Yakima. On the date of admission, the Constitution of Clackamas was ratified, the Clackamas State Assembly and positions of Governor and Lieutenant Governor were established. Aaron McDonough assumed the role of Governor, who appointed Clifford Byrd as the first Lieutenant Governor. Asahel Bush and Benjamin F. Harding, the first two senators were selected by a county convention.

Clackamas held its first state election for all 100 seats of the Chamber of Deputies and all 40 seats of the Clackamas Senate on September 3, 1870 coinciding with the national elections. In the Chamber and Senate the Frontier party achieved a majority. Determined by a coin flip, odd numbered Senate districts were required to hold elections again in 1872. Even numbered districts were required to hold elections in 1874. Aaron McDonough was elected in the 1872 gubernatorial election.

Clackamas was the center of national politics and economic activity in Astoria for the late 19th century. From 1870 to 1890 the state had the largest population. Portland's position at the confluence of the Willamette River and Columbia River, along with its proximity to the Columbia Gorge, made it the largest city in Astoria and an important processing site for the lumber industry.

Connections by railroad also allowed the state to further integrate with the national economy. In 1896 the Cascade Locks and Canal was completed, allowing for safer river travel into the Astorian interior.

Modern Clackamas

Portland with nearly 700,000 people is the economic hub of Clackamas

In 1921 the Independent Commission for State Admissions approved the the division of Clackamas into three separate indivisible states; Clackamas, South Columbia and Willamette. Clackamas as a indivisible state was created to preserve the states economic and cultural core centered on Portland, Astoria and Salem.

Clackamas benefited greatly from the Astorian Works Administration (AWA), and the construction of the Bonneville Dam. The Bonneville Dam at the time of its construction was largest water impoundment project in North America. It provided improved flood control, hydroelectricity and irrigation for Clackamas. Affordable electricity produced by the dam allowed for the growth of the aluminum industry in Astoria. Clackamas produced roughly 75% of the total aluminum used by the American Coalition during the Great War for warplane production.

Clackamas experienced significant economic and social transformations. The war effort had spurred industrial growth, particularly in shipbuilding and timber industries, which continued to thrive in the post-war years. The state’s infrastructure expanded rapidly, with new highways, schools, and housing developments emerging to accommodate the growing population. Clackamas was connected to Sierra and it's market by the Grand Pacific Promenade between 1942 and 1972.

In the 1960s and early 1970s, Clackamas was the political center of Astorian liberalism. Feminism, gay rights, and drug policy reforms first gained serious political consideration in Clackamas. In the 1970s the Progressive–Labor Party achieved political dominance in the state from the growth in social activism in the state. The anti-nuclear movement and efforts to dismantle the the national dam network began in Clackamas.

Clackamas shifted towards suburbanization and employment in the service sector. The University of Clackamas saw rapid expansion in the 1970s and 1980s and gained prominence throughout Astoria and Ango-America. University of Clackamas, Lake Oswego and University of Clackamas, Hillsboro were established in 1973 and 1982 respectively to accommodate the growth in the university system. The University of Clackamas became a hub for research and innovation which spurred the growth of the high-tech and software sectors of modern-day Clackamas.

It was the first state to loosen its social laws and was the first state to allow interracial marriage (1969), the sale of birth control (1971), the use of cannabis (1973), abortion (1976), pornography (1978), same-sex marriage (2002) and same-sex adoption (2005). In 2020 it decriminalized the possession of all illicit drugs.

Geography

Mount Hood as seen from Mount Hood National Forest.

See also: Geography of Astoria

Clackamas spans from the Pacific Ocean from the west to the Deschutes River to the east, the Columbia River to the north and the Santiam River to the south. Major ranges in Clackamas include the Coastal Range in the west and the volcanic Cascade Range in the east. West of the Coastal Range, lies the sparsely populated Clackamas Coast and between the Coastal Range and the Cascades; the fertile lower Willamette Valley. The Columbia River Gorge connects the Columbia Plateau, and the Astorian interior, with the Pacific Ocean. Mount Hood and the northwestern slope of Mount Russell.

Climate

Average total precipitation and temperatures of Portland.

See also: Climate of Astoria

The climate of Clackamas is dominated by a warm-summer mediterranean climate (Csb) as designated under the Köppen climate classification system or a oceanic climate (Do) under the Trewartha climate classification system. Precipitation in the state is dependent on proximity to the two major ranges. Some areas west of the Coastal Range have an average annual precipitation rate of 180 to 200 inches of rain. In eastern Clackamas, east of the Cascade Range have an average annual precipitation rate of 15.1 to 25 inches of rain. Central Clackamas, the location of the Willamette Valley and the majority of the state's population, experiences an average annual precipitation rate of 50 to 60 inches of rain.

Temperatures in Clackamas are relatively mild, where temperatures above 90 °F (32 °C) or below 30 °F (−1 °C) are rare. The Pacific Ocean moderates the climate during the summer and the winter, although this pattern is sometimes interrupted by cold air flowing through the Columbia Gorge during the months of November, December, January and February.

Demographics

Ethnicity distribution in Clackamas.

  White (87.5%)

  Asian (5.6%)

  Hispanic or Latino (9.8%)

  African American (1.2%)

  Native American (0.7%)

  Pacific Islander (0.2%)

  Other (0.5%)

See also: Demographics of Astoria

The population is predominantly white of European descent, accounting for approximately 87.5% of the residents. 57% of those who claim European ancestry in Clackamas identify as ethnically Astorian. Other significant racial and ethnic groups include Asian Astorians (5.6%), Hispanics or Latinos (9.8%), and smaller percentages of African Americans, Native Americans, and Pacific Islanders. Clackamas has a high rate of homeownership, with 71.1% of housing units being owner-occupied. The median value of owner-occupied housing units is $532,200. The region also has a high level of educational attainment, with 94.4% of residents aged 25 and older having at least a high school diploma, and 39.2% holding a bachelor’s degree or higher.

Approximately 3% of the population speaks a language other than English at home. The most commonly spoken languages, aside from English, include Spanish, Chinese, Vietnamese, and various Slavic languages. Approximately 53.1% of the population identifies as non-religious, including atheists, agnostics, and those with no religious affiliation. Christianity is the largest religion, with 43.7% claiming religious affiliation. Roughly 34% of the Christian population identifies as Protestant, the majority of who belong to the Apostolic Church of Astoria.

The age distribution in Clackamas shows that about 20.6% of the population is under 18 years old, while 20% are 65 years and older. Gender distribution is roughly even, with women making up 50.3% of the population. In Clackamas, approximately 4.5% of the population identifies as LGBTQ+, including those who identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, or other non-heterosexual orientations. Clackamas has one of the largest LGBTQ+ populations in Astoria, and was the first state to legalize same-sex marriage.

Economy

An estimated 4% of the total state workforce is employed in agriculture.

See also: Economy of Astoria

Approximately 4% of the population is employed in agriculture, 18% in industry, and 78% in services. This distribution highlights the dominance of the services sector, which includes healthcare, education, retail, and tourism. The industrial sector, encompassing manufacturing, technology, and food processing, also plays a significant role. Agriculture remains crucial, particularly in regions known for fruit production. The unemployment rate in Clackamas ranged between 3.6% and 4.5% from 2021 and 2024. With a GDP per capita (nominal) of $85,952, it has a relatively high income per capita compared to the interior states, but ranks behind Tahoma and Vancouver. It is the 3rd largest state economy in Astoria with a total GDP of $285 billion.

Major companies in the services sector include Trail Health & Services, which offers comprehensive healthcare services, and the Apostolic University School of Medicine, a leading institution in education and medical research. Clackamas State Bank (CSB) ranks as the third largest state bank in Astoria. The National Aluminum Corporation, a former state enterprise, is headquartered in Portland and operates four aluminum smelters in eastern Clackamas near the Columbia River.

Taxes

See also: Taxation in Astoria

Income taxes in Clackamas are progressive, with a top tax rate of 11.2%. Clackamas levies a 2% land value tax, supplementing the federal land value tax. Use, excise and sales and other licensing fees account are levied at 1.9%. Clackamas has the highest total tax burden at 15.1%, the highest rates for income and land taxes. It has the second lowest sales tax in the nation.

Local sales taxes can be levied by cities, townships, counties and other government boards. Most counties levy a 1% in sales tax, townships levy 0.5% and board will levy a tax between 0.2% and 0.4%. Citizens in Portland pay the highest total tax in the nation at 19.8% on top of federal taxes, this included a 3.5% city sales tax, a Multnomah county tax of 0.8% and a 0.4% township tax.

Agriculture

See also: Agriculture in Astoria

An estimated 3,430,400 acres is used for wine growing, with a heavy concentration in Yamhill County.

Approximately 4% of the total workforce in 2020, supporting roughly 90,000 full and part-time jobs. Agriculture and adjacent industries contributed an estimated $27 billion to the state economy. Wine alone accounted for approximately $6 billion in exports and supported between 10,000 and 15,000 full and part-time jobs. Wine tourism in Clackamas attracts roughly half a billion dollars to the local economy.

Clackamas is a major producer of grass seed, including annual ryegrass, perennial ryegrass, bentgrass, and fine fescue. These grasses are used primarily for feeding cattle. Fruit and vegetable cultivation, especially berries (including marionberries), apples, and various leafy greens. Clackamas produces roughly half of the approximately 114,000 tonnes of hazel nuts exported from Astoria.

Auxerrois, Chardonnay, Cabernet Franc, Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc, and many other cooler climate grapes thrive in Clackamas due to its maritime climate and soil conditions. Astoria’s second largest viticultural area lies entirely within Clackamas: the Lower Willamette Valley CVA. 5,360 square miles, or 3,430,400 acres, are dedicated to wine growing. As of 2023, Clackamas has approximately 908 wineries. There are about 10 sub-appellations in the Lower Willamette Valley CVA. Most of the wineries in Clackamas are located west of the Willamette River on the eastern slopes of the Coast Range. Yamhill is the center of Clackamas viniculture. The wine industry in Clackamas is dominated by the Confederated Tribes of Clackamas, the inhabitants of the Grand Ronde Reservation. Some of the most expensive Pinot Noir in the world originates from Clackamas.

In 1984, the Clackamas Department of Natural Resources (CDNR) began collecting permits from farmers who practiced field burnings. In 1995, these permits were dropped, igniting a nearly decade-long political struggle between Clackamas farmers and urban residents. In 2004, the state government instated a ban on field burnings, which was later reversed in 2012. From 2012 to 2021, field burnings in Clackamas were done on a rotational basis between the counties, significantly reducing the buildup of smoke in the Willamette Valley. In 2021, the state assembly reinstated the ban on field burnings. The topic of field burning remains contentious in Clackamas.

Government and politics

Government of Clackamas

Henry Caldwell and Aurore Taylor Governor and Lieutenant Governor
Clackamas State Assembly
Senate and Chamber of Deputies
Clackamas Progressive–Labor Party      Clackamas National Democratic Party
Political parties of Clackamas

See also: Politics of Astoria

Clackamas is organized similar to the national government with three branches of government—the governor and their appointed cabinet; the legislature consisting of the Senate and Chamber of Deputies; and the judicial branch consisting of the Clackamas Supreme Court and other lower courts. The three branches share power and jointly govern the state. County and local governments are established by the state constitution and have limited power to tax, and pass ordinances. Elections in Clackamas are held on election day, concurrent with national elections. Elections are held in even years and staggered.

Henry Caldwell and Aurore Taylor, elected in 2020, currently serve as Governor and Lieutenant Governor, respectively. Jon Gibson holds the position of Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies. All three top state officials are members of the state affiliation of the Progressive–Labor Party, the Clackamas Progressive–Labor Party (CPLP). Since 1980, the CPLP has adhered to a political practice that prohibits both gubernatorial and lieutenant gubernatorial candidates from being male. The CPLP has been the dominant force in Clackamas politics for nearly 50 years.

Partisan control

In the Senate the Progressive–Labor Party holds 31 of the 40 seats. In the Chamber of Deputies the Progressive–Labor controls 66 of the 100 seats. The Progressive–Labor Party has maintained a majority in the Clackamas State Assembly since 1970, and the state hasn't elected a National Democratic candidate as governor since 1976. It is regarded as a 'safe' seat for the Progressive–Labor Party, who can regularly count on its electoral vote for president, to hold a majority of its assembly delegation and two senate seats.

Federal representation

Clackamas's two federal senators are Kristina Wunsch and Jason Stokes both members of the Progressive–Labor Party. The state is divided into 12 national assembly districts, represented by 8 members of the Progressive–Labor Party and 4 members of the National Democratic Party.

Presidents from Clackamas

Main article: Presidents of Astoria

Clackamas has produced nine presidents; Nathaniel Cannon, Samuel Osborne, Medorem Waldo, George Apperson, Absalom Burnett, Randolph Hood, Ernest Anderson, Johnathan Barker and Martha Lindstrom. Martha Lindstrom, former representative and senator from Clackamas, served as the 11th president from 1986 to 1992. Katherine Lancaster, former Governor of Clackamas, was the unsuccessful Progressive candidate for the 2022 presidential election.

Government employees

The state government employs approximately 30,000 state government employees, and is the largest employers in state. State government employees work in the various department officials, state parks, correctional facilities and licensing offices. Approximately 23,000 state government employees are represented by the Astorian City, Municipal, State and County Employees Union (ACMSCE) and Clerical Employees Union of Astoria (CEUA). An estimated 8,000 government employees work for local city, township and county governments. In 2023 there were 28,591 public school teachers employed at 76 school districts across Clackamas.

Subdivisions

Counties and townships of Clackamas.

Congressional districts of Astoria by partisan control.

Counties of Clackamas

County	Founding	2020 Population	Area (mi2)	Density (mi2)	Largest City	Assembly district(s)
Benton	December 23, 1847	111,636	679	137	Corvallis	7th
Clackamas	July 5, 1843	497,127	1,879	224.3	Oregon City	5th, 11th, 12th
Clatsop	June 22, 1844	49,274	829	49.5	Fort Astoria	9th
Columbia	January 16, 1854	61,762	688	76.1	St. Helens	9th
Hood River	June 23, 1908	28,765	533	45	Hood River	10th
Davis	January 12, 1852	60,960	980	51.8	Newport	8th
Marion	September 3, 1849	408,082	1,194	289.7	Salem	5th, 6th
Multnomah	December 22, 1854	970,115	466	1,750.90	Portland	1st, 2nd, 9th 10th,
Polk	February 20, 1893	103,145	744	117.5	Dallas	7th
Davis	July 5, 1843	2,220	831	2.2	Moro	10th
Tillamook	December 22, 1845	32,212	1,102	24.9	Tillamook	8th
Wasco	December 15, 1853	32,010	2,395	11.1	The Dalles	10th
Washington	January 11, 1854	709,900	726	826.9	Hillsboro	3rd, 4th
Yamhill	July 5, 1843	128,280	718	150	McMinnville	7th, 8th

Colleges and universities

Private

• Apostolic University of Astoria, located in Portland, Clackamas
• Astoria University, located in Fort Astoria, Clackamas
• Western Baptist University, located in Salem, Clackamas

Public

• Clackamas Institute of Technology, located in Hood River, Clackamas
• University of Clackamas, flagship university located in Salem, Clackamas
• University of Clackamas, Lake Oswego, located in Lake Oswego, Clackamas
• University of Clackamas, Hillsboro, located in Hillsboro, Clackamas

See also

• States of Astoria
• Yakima
• Willamette
• South Columbia