Charles Hanlon

Charles J. Hanlon (September 15, 1918 – September 9, 1990) was the first independent member of the U.S. state of Oregon's legislature elected in 50 years, and the fifth in Oregon history. He served three terms in the Oregon Senate, from 1976 to 1986.

He became a Democrat after his first election, in which he defeated the then-Senate Majority Leader, Democrat William Holmstrom. and his efforts to legalize self-service gasoline in the state. In 1977, he proposed an amendment to the state constitution that would have added two years to House and Senate terms, and imposed a term limit of 12 years. Hanlon was also noted for his constituent services, including a successful effort to force a state barber's licensing board to administer an oral exam to an illiterate barber. He first announced he would join the Democratic party in June 1976, bolstering Jason Boe's effort to overcome fellow Democrat Betty Roberts's challenge to his position as Senate president. Hanlon, who had been a registered Democrat two decades prior, said the Senate presidency issue prompted his decision to rejoin the party, though he had been considering it for some time. At the time, The Bend Bulletin stated that he was considered one of the most knowledgeable legislators on the subject of natural resources. He denied that his move was motivated by political gamesmanship, stating that his desire to be appointed chair of a committee was unrelated to joining the party; and he asserted his intention to remain independent, and critical of the two-party system. He reversed the decision to resign and served out the remainder of his term.

Hanlon died of cancer in Salem, Oregon on September 9, 1990; he was survived by his wife Neila and two children.