Richard A. Clucas is Professor of Political Science at Portland State University and the Executive Director of the Western Political Science Association, the nation’s second largest regional political science association. Dr. Clucas has written extensively on legislative politics, state government, Oregon politics, and democratic institutions. Among other works, he is co-editor of Governing Oregon, co-author of The Character of Democracy, editor of Readings and Cases in State and Local Politics, and author of Encyclopedia of American Political Reform. He was the set editor for the encyclopedia series, About State Government. His work has also appeared in Political Research Quarterly, Legislative Studies Quarterly, State Politics and Policy Quarterly, PS: Political Science and Politics, Oregon Historical Quarterly, and Oregon Law Journal.  He was the 2023 recipient of the George C. Hoffman Award,  which is given annually to a faculty member at Portland State University "in recognition of distinguished contributions to the University in the areas of instruction, university service, and scholarship, which are done in the spirit of humanism, civility, and collegiality, with particular dedication to students and loyalty to the University.”