James Manning Jr. facts for kids

Quick facts for kids James Manning
President pro tempore of the Oregon State Senate
Incumbent
Assumed office January 11, 2021
Preceded by	Laurie Monnes Anderson
Member of the Oregon State Senate from the 7th district
Incumbent
Assumed office December 15, 2016
Preceded by	Chris Edwards
Personal details
Political party	Democratic
Education	Lincoln University Columbia College (BA) Chapman University (MS) Grand Canyon University (EdD)
Signature
Military service
Allegiance	United States
Branch/service	United States Army

James Ivory Manning Jr. is an American politician and veteran. A member of the Democratic Party, he has served in the Oregon State Senate since 2016. He represents the 7th district, which covers parts of Lane County, including Junction City and northern Eugene. Manning unsuccessfully ran for Secretary of State in the 2024 election.

Military service and early career

Manning worked as a state correctional officer and police officer prior to enlisting in the U.S. Army in 1983. Manning spent 24 years on active duty in the Army, and retired in 2007.

Political career

After retiring from the military, Manning moved to Eugene, Oregon, and became part of the Oregon Commission on Black Affairs. In 2012, he was elected to serve on the Eugene Water and Electric Board.

Oregon State Senate

Manning unsuccessfully ran for a seat in the Oregon House of Representatives in 2016, losing to Julie Fahey in the 14th district Democratic primary. He was appointed to the Senate in December 2016 in order to fill the seat vacated by Chris Edwards, who resigned from office. Manning was elected to a full term in 2018 unopposed. He was elected once again in the 2022 election.

As a legislator, Manning supported efforts to expand automatic voter registration and create prepaid envelopes for Oregon residents to allow for mail-in voting.

2024 Oregon Secretary of State run

On September 13, 2023 Manning announced his candidacy for Secretary of State in the 2024 election, facing current state treasurer Tobias Read in the Democratic primary. During the campaign, Manning touted his support for raising election funding in order to provide security for election workers.

During the campaign, he trailed behind Read in fundraising, with the former raising $630,000 against the $203,000 raised by Manning as of April 25, 2024. Read ultimately defeated Manning.

Electoral history