​Oregon Secretary of State

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Secretary of State Bev Clarno is a third-generation Oregonian with a diverse professional career and historic tenure in Oregon elected politics. She was the first woman Republican Speaker of the House and the first Republican woman to serve as her party’s leader in the Oregon State Senate. She was the first woman to hold leadership positions in both the Oregon House and Senate.

Secretary Clarno had been a hog farmer and cattle rancher, real estate broker and appraiser among other occupations before her election in 1988 to the Oregon House of Representatives. She was re-elected three times, serving as Speaker of the House from 1995-1997. She was elected to the Oregon State Senate in 2000 and served as Senate Republican Leader in the 2003 session. 

During her tenure in the legislature, Secretary Clarno was known as a leader on issues of importance to rural Oregonians, farmers and ranchers and children. She supported a strong state auditing function as spending tax dollars effectively and efficiently was a priority for her out of her respect for hard-working Oregonians. 

Secretary Clarno served as Speaker when there was a large Republican majority, and even with that majority, she was a leader focused on getting things done for Oregon. She was always willing to work across party lines to get results. During her tenure in the Oregon Senate, the Chamber had a 15-15 Republican-Democrat split, and the Democratic leader at the time was then State Senator Kate Brown.  

Secretary Clarno resigned from the Senate in August, 2003 to accept an appointment from President George W. Bush to serve as the Region 10 Director for the US Department of Health and Human Services. 

A dedicated community volunteer, Secretary Clarno has served on the boards of numerous organizations, including the Oregon Historical Society, the Maryhill Museum, Deschutes River Conservancy Board, the Deschutes County Fair and Expo, the Central Oregon Community College Foundation, and the Redmond Chamber of Commerce. 

Clarno is a Redmond High School graduate and has a Bachelor of Arts from Marylhurst University. While her children were young, she was an active parent, serving as a Cub Scout Den Mother, Girl Scout Co-leader and Sunday School teacher. She was also active in 4-H and FFA. 

Secretary Clarno is married to Ray Clarno. Her family includes four adult children and numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren.