Ginny Burdick’s relationship with the Oregon Capitol began in 1973, when she was working on
her Master’s thesis at the University of Oregon School of Journalism. Her topic: How lobbyists
work in the Oregon Legislature. Her thesis, researched in the 1973 legislative session, ran in full
in the Eugene Register‐Guard and statewide on the wires of the Associated Press. A year and a
half later, she was back in the Capitol, covering state government and the 1975 Oregon
Legislature for the Associated Press. It was during that time that she became lifelong friends
with Frankie Bell and Nan Heim.
Ginny left Oregon in 1976 for Washington, D.C., where she continued her reporting career and
transitioned into a new career as an environmental policy consultant. That led to a job in Los
Angeles as Environmental Issues Manager for Atlantic Richfield Company, from 1981 to 1984.
Returning to Oregon in 1984, Ginny worked on political campaigns and began a rewarding
career in public service as a member of the Land Conservation and Development Commission
from 1987 to 1993.
She began her own business in crisis communications in 1989, working with corporate clients,
nonprofits and educational institutions for the next 20 years.
In 1996, Ginny ran for an open seat in the Oregon Senate, surprising many in the political world
by campaigning for stronger gun laws. (The politicos pretty much expected her to lose!) She
won that race and went on to serve in the Senate for nearly 25 years. As a nervous freshman
Senator in need of a friendly face, she was delighted to be welcomed by Senate Secretary Judy
Hall, who she had gotten to know in her reporting days.
In the Senate, Ginny kept her campaign promise to enact stronger gun laws. Oregon now has
laws requiring universal background checks; safe storage of guns; and confiscation of guns from
domestic violence abusers and people who pose a danger to themselves or others. And there
will be no more guns allowed in the Capitol; or in the Portland Airport; or in schools and
universities that decide to ban them.
Gun safety was not Ginny’s only priority in the Senate. She served as Chair of several
committees, including Judiciary, Finance and Revenue and Rules. She co‐chaired several House‐
Senate committees, including Marijuana Legalization, Capitol Culture and Tax Expenditures.
She served in leadership during her last 10 years, first as Senate President pro tem and then as
Majority Leader.
Ginny and her former husband have two grown daughters, Shannon Grosswiler and Kate
Grosswiler. Ginny is owned by one spoiled cat named Tucker (no relation)