Ted Ferrioli (born February 15, 1951) is an American politician who served as an Oregon state senator from 1997 until 2017. He represented Senate District 30, which encompasses Baker, Gilliam, Grant, Harney, Jefferson, Malheur, Sherman, Wasco, Wheeler, and portions of Clackamas, Deschutes, and Marion counties. He served as the Oregon State Senate majority leader and later as the minority leader. Early life Ferrioli was born in Spokane, Washington on February 15, 1951. In 1959, Ferrioli moved with his family to Portland, Oregon. He graduated from Grant High School with honors in 1969. From 1969 to 1973, Ferrioli attended the University of Oregon, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in English. During his tenure at the University of Oregon, Ferrioli served as the editor of Northwest Review magazine, as well as working various jobs for the Springfield News. Career After graduating from college, Ferrioli was hired by the United States Department of Veteran's Affairs. In 1986, Ferrioli founded Community Relation Associates, Inc. to advocate for natural resource producers in the state of Oregon. He is also the co-founder of Oregon Lands Coalition. Ferrioli's first elected position was on the Creswell, Oregon City Council, where he served as the chairman of the budget and police committees. Soon after, he was elected President of the Lane County Chamber of Commerce. Ferrioli also served on the Economic Improvement Commission and the Community Substance Abuse Consortium Board of Directors. Legislative career In 1997, Ferrioli was elected to the Oregon State Senate to represent Senate District 30. In 2008, Ferrioli ran unopposed during the May 2008 primary election, and won reelection general election in November. In February 2011, he apologized after making a controversial statement that Greece is a "haven for morons", in response to a letter from a singer from South Africa living in Greece, asking him to oppose a bill that would remove wolves from Oregon's endangered species list. Ferrioli resigned effective November 22, 2017 following his appointment by Governor Kate Brown to the Northwest Power and Conservation Council. References External links Official website Republican Party Oregon state senators 1951 births Living people University of Oregon alumni Oregon city council members Politicians from Spokane, Washington Grant High School (Portland, Oregon) alumni 21st-century American politicians