Richard A. Clucas is a Professor Emeritus of Political Science and Executive Director of the Western Political Science Association. Until his retirement in 2026 after thirty-one years at Portland State, he taught courses on state and local politics, Oregon government, comparative democratic institutions, and politics & the arts. He also oversaw the department’s internship program. His research focuses 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.