Art Robinson

Early life and education

Robinson was born in Chicago. and a PhD in biochemistry from the University of California, San Diego in 1968. His doctoral thesis was titled, Experiments on the synthesis and spectral characterization of cytochrome-related molecules.

Scientific career

Early career

Robinson was one of the few students ever to be appointed to the faculty of the University of California, San Diego immediately after getting his Ph.D., but resigned four years later.

He was a co-founder, along with Linus Pauling and Keene Dimick, of the Institute of Orthomolecular Medicine, later renamed the Linus Pauling Institute in 1973.

Linus Pauling Institute

Robinson was the president, director, and a research professor with tenure at the institute.

In June 1978, Robinson was asked to consult with the Executive Committee of the Linus Pauling Institute regarding important decisions involving the Institute. The members of the Executive Committee included Robinson, Pauling, and Executive Vice President Richard Hicks. The same day Robinson was asked to consult, he (Robinson) dismissed Hicks by terminating the fund raising services agreement employing Hicks, claiming that Hicks had failed to generate the substantial donations expected of him.

Disturbed by Robinson's swift actions against Hicks, Pauling declared that he no longer had "trust and confidence in Robinson", and asked him to resign immediately. Robinson requested thirty days to consider the resignation and ultimately refused. Pauling called a meeting of the board of trustees regarding Robinson's refusal to resign. The board granted Robinson a leave of absence, and passed all executive authority to Pauling, later electing him president and director of the institute.

Lawsuit

Robinson responded to the dismissal by charging that he, not Pauling, had done the experimental work at the institute, and that "Linus has not personally contributed significant research work on vitamin C and human health". Robinson filed a lawsuit against the Institute for $25.5 million, finally settling for $575,000.

OISM

Oregon Institute of Science and Medicine

Robinson later moved to Oregon and founded the Oregon Institute of Science and Medicine (OISM) there in 1980.

Robinson is the president of the OISM, The OISM's mission statement and purpose is, "research, development, and public education on the biochemistry of molecular clocks and the degenerative diseases of aging, elementary science education, the effects of environment on health and welfare, and disaster preparedness".

The OISM website states that "several members of the Institute's staff are also well known for their work on the Petition Project" (the Oregon Petition), and that the petition has "more than 31,000" signatures by scientists. Robinson asserted in 2008 that the petition has over 31,000 signatories, with 9,000 of these holding a PhD degree. Most signatories with a PhD hold their degree in engineering. The 2009 report of the Nongovernmental International Panel on Climate Change (NIPCC)—a group that "disputes the reality of man-made climate change"—lists 31,478 degreed signatories, including 9,029 with PhDs. The list has been criticized for its lack of verification, with pranksters successfully submitting the names of Charles Darwin, a member of the Spice Girls and characters from Star Wars, and getting them briefly included on the list. A recent revisiting of his report found his chart analysis to be inaccurate when updated with recent years' data.

According to Bloomberg.com, starting in about 2013 Robinson began collecting "thousands of vials of human urine" which he claims hold "the key to extending the human life span and wresting control of medicine from what he calls the 'medical-industrial-government complex'." As of early 2016, there were 14,000 urine samples stored in freezers at the OISM lab. According to Zachary Mider of Bloomberg, it is "hard to judge the credibility" of Robinson's claims. Although Robinson earned a Ph.D. from the University of California, San Diego in the 1960s, "he hasn't published peer-reviewed research on diagnostic medicine in decades." In reply Robinson stated, "we've completed experiments here, which we could easily publish, but we want to wait until they are perfect."

In his monthly newsletter "Access to Energy", Robinson has reported on experiments showing that ionizing radiation can be good for you, advocates for a revival of cheap nuclear power, attacks climate science as a "false religion" that will enslave mankind, and condemns public education, instead favoring home schooling. "Access to Energy" was originated by Petr Beckmann; Robinson began writing it with the September 1993 issue.

OISM also publishes material relating to civil defense and disaster preparedness.

Political career

2010 congressional election

In May 2010, Robinson won the Republican primary for Oregon's 4th congressional district, taking 79% of the vote to businesswoman Jaynee Germond's 20%. He faced Democratic incumbent Peter DeFazio in the November 2010 general election. Six weeks before the election, $600,000 worth of TV advertisements started to appear in the district, portraying his opponent as "a puppet of the Democratic leadership". It was later revealed that the advertisements, reportedly a surprise to Robinson, were paid for by conservative billionaire hedge fund manager Robert Mercer. (Mercer provided "six-figure financial support" to Robinson again in 2012 and 2014.) Robinson was defeated by 145,091 votes (53.6%) to 120,307 (44.5%) but it was the "best performance" by a Republican in the district "in decades".

2012 congressional election

Robinson, running unopposed, became the Republican nominee for Oregon's 4th congressional district, to again face incumbent DeFazio, who had defeated Robinson's son Matthew in a landslide in the Democratic primary. In the general election, DeFazio defeated Robinson by 212,866 votes (59.1%) to 140,549 (39%).

2014 congressional election

Robinson ran for a third time for Oregon's 4th congressional district in 2014. He was unopposed in the Republican primary and faced another rematch in the general election with DeFazio, who was unopposed in the Democratic primary. Robinson lost the election with 116,534 votes to DeFazio's 181,624.

2016 congressional election

Robinson ran for a fourth time for Oregon's 4th congressional district in 2016. He ran against Jo Rae Perkins, a former Linn County Republican party chairwoman, in the primary election and won with 67 percent of the vote. In the general election on November 8. Robinson once again faced DeFazio, who won his primary election with 93 percent of the vote. DeFazio prevailed once more, 55%-40%.

2018 congressional election

Robinson challenged DeFazio for a fifth time in Oregon's 4th congressional district. He faced four primary challengers this time, Perkins, again, plus former Eugene mayoral candidate Stefan Strek, Curry County Commissioner Court Boice, and Michael Polen. Robinson won the nomination with 45.7% of the vote. DeFazio defeated Robinson 56%-41%.

2020 State senate election

Robinson filed to run once again against DeFazio but dropped out on the final day of the registration period to run for Oregon State Senate District 2, instead, to replace retiring Republican incumbent Herman Baertschiger Jr. Robinson defeated his Democratic challenger, Jerry Allen, with 64.01% to 33.52%.

Political positions

In addition to asserting that global warming is a hoax, Robinson opposes abortion and supports gun rights, Robinson is a signatory to A Scientific Dissent from Darwinism, a petition circulated by the Discovery Institute to promote the pseudoscientific intelligent design theory.

Oregon State University controversy

In 2011, Robinson alleged that Oregon State University (OSU) was part of a conspiracy to retaliate against him for his political activism by expelling his three children, all of whom were graduate students there. When asked what proof he has of the university discriminating against his children, Robinson stated, "I don't have definitive proof, [...] That is what I believe. Basically, I know what happened. I cannot tell you the motives of the people doing it." In a statement, OSU would not comment on matters concerning the students without their consent, but declared all the other claims, including those about the faculty, to be unfounded.

2023 unexcused absences

While participating in a Republican-led walkout in May 2023 Robinson reached the 10 unexcused absence threshold set by measure 113, disqualifying him from running for reelection after his current term ends. In October the Oregon Supreme Court agreed to hear a challenge to the measure. On February 1, 2024, the Court unanimously ruled against the Republican Senators, confirming Robinson's disqualification after the end of his term in January 2025. Robinson was succeeded in the Senate by his son, Noah Robinson.

Personal life

Robinson is a non-denominational Christian and lives in Cave Junction, Oregon. He was married to Laurelee Robinson until her death in 1988. His six children were all home schooled. As a hobby, Robinson buys unwanted pipe organs from churches and reassembles them on his property. Among the instruments in his collection is the organ formerly owned by famed Christian Gospel singer George Beverly Shea.

Electoral history

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Selected publications

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References

References

1. "Arthur 'Art' Brouhard Robinson". [[The Washington Times]].
2. Benoit, Mary. (June 26, 2006). "An expert look at the energy "crisis": an accomplished scientist share his perspective on America's supposed energy crisis and what can be done to remedy the situation". [[The New American]].
3. Soon, Willie. (2002). "Global Warming: A Guide to the Science". [[Fraser Institute]].
4. Bethell, Tom. (February 2001). "A Scientist Finds Independence: Art Robinson fights aging with his home-schooled lab rats". [[The American Spectator]].
5. Russo, Edward. (May 19, 2010). "Two GOP political novices advance". [[The Register-Guard]].
6. (November 4, 2014). "Oregon 2014 General Election". Oregon Secretary of State.
7. (2016-05-18). "Peter DeFazio to face Art Robinson for 4th time for U.S. House seat (election results)".
8. (November 6, 2018). "Oregon 2018 General Election". Oregon Secretary of State.
9. (August 11, 2013). "Oregon GOP picks Art Robinson as new chairman". KATU.com.
10. (February 28, 2015). "Bill Currier Selected To Be Chairman of Oregon Republican Party". Oregon Public Broadcasting.
11. Pauling, Linus. (June 1975). "Good Nutrition for the Good Life". California Institute of Technology.
12. "Robinson Versus Pauling Case Files". [[California Digital Library]].
13. Robinson, Arthur. (1967). "Experiments on the synthesis and spectral characterization of cytochrome-related molecules". [[University of California, San Diego]].
14. Nishikawa, Azumi. (November 6, 2006). "Pauling Institute looks back on its 10 years at Oregon State U.". [[America's Intelligence Wire]].
15. "The Register of Robinson Versus Pauling Case Files: 1972-1981". [[Geisel Library]].
16. Goertzel, Ted. (1996). "Linus Pauling: A Life In Science And Politics". [[Basic Books]].
17. "An Institute for Science and Orthomolecular Medicine (1973-1981) Part 2". [[Oregon State University]].
18. Severo, Richard. (August 21, 1994). "Linus C. Pauling Dies at 93; Chemist and Voice for Peace". [[The New York Times]].
19. "The Years Alone: Pauling after the Death of Ava Helen (1982-1994) Part 1". [[Oregon State University]].
20. "Oregon Institute of Science and Medicine". [[National Center for Charitable Statistics.
21. "Oregon Institute of Science and Medicine".
22. Henry, Devin. (May 28, 2008). "Climate change petition pits scientists against each other". [[Minnesota Daily]].
23. Morrison, David. (2011). "Science Denialism: Evolution and Climate Change". National Center for Science Education.
24. Bagley, Katherine. (September 19, 2013). "IPCC report: sceptic groups launch global anti-science campaign". [[The Guardian]].
25. (2009). "Climate Change Reconsidered: 2009 Report of the Nongovernmental Panel on Climate Change (NIPCC), Appendix 4, The Petition Project". [[The Heartland Institute]].
26. Mann, Michael E.. (2012). "The Hockey Stick and the Climate Wars". [[Columbia University Press]].
27. (20 January 2016). "What Kind of Man Spends Millions to Elect Ted Cruz?".
28. Robinson, Arthur. (1986). "Fighting chance: ten feet to survival". Oregon Institute of Science and Medicine.
29. Hallow, Ralph Z.. (June 3, 2012). "In Oregon, chemist offers GOP a unifying formula". [[The Washington Times]].
30. (May 15, 2018). "Robinson To Face DeFazio in Oregon's 4th congressional District". [[Jefferson Public Radio]].
31. [https://kpic.com/news/local/art-robinson-wont-run-for-congress-seeks-state-senate-seat-instead Art Robinson won't run for Congress, seeks state Senate seat instead] {{Webarchive. link. (2023-06-02 , ''[[KPIC]]'', March 11th 2020. Retrieved July 18, 2020.)
32. Powell, James. (2011). "The Inquisition of Climate Science". [[Columbia University Press]].
33. Palmer, Susan. (March 8, 2011). "Robinson says OSU targeting his kids: The congressional candidate alleges the school is retaliating for his political activism". [[The Register-Guard]].
34. Koopmans, Kelly. (March 8, 2011). "Art Robinson vs. Oregon State: 'I don't have definitive proof'". [[KVAL-TV]].
35. (March 7, 2011). "Statement regarding Internet postings by Art Robinson". [[Oregon State University]].
36. (May 18, 2023). "Oregon Republican walkout: 6 more senators are potentially ineligible for reelection". [[Oregon Public Broadcasting]].
37. VanderHart, Dirk. (October 24, 2023). "GOP senators' challenge to walkout penalties lands before Oregon Supreme Court". [[Oregon Public Broadcasting]].
38. (1 February 2024). "Oregon Supreme Court bars Republican senators who participated in walkout from reelection". Oregon Capital Chronicle.
39. Edge, Sami. (May 22, 2024). "Son of Oregon senator barred from reelection wins Republican bid for father's seat". The Oregonian.