A. A. Adams
{{short description |American politician from Washington}}
{{good article}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2023}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| name = A. A. Adams
| image = Representative A. A. Adams, 1971.jpg
| caption = A. A. Adams in 1971
| alt = A. A. Adams in 1971
| state_house1 = Washington
| district1 = 26th
| term_start1 = 1969
| term_end1 = 1973
| state_house2 = Washington
| district2 = 27th
| term_start2 = 1973
| term_end2 = 1981
| birth_date = {{Birth date|1900|8|22}}
| birth_place = Bellingham, Washington, U.S.
| death_date = {{Death date and age|1985|5|31|1900|8|22}}
| death_place = Pacific, Washington, U.S.
| party = Democratic
| occupation = Politician
| successor1 = Clifford W. Beck
| successor2 = Art Wang
| predecessor1 = Homer Humiston
| predecessor2 = Frank Marzano
| alongside1 = Thomas A. Swayze Jr.
| alongside2 = R. Lorraine Wojahn and James E. Salatino
}}
Abner Allen "Doc" Adams (August 22, 1900 – May 31, 1985) was an American politician in the state of Washington. He served in the Washington House of Representatives from 1969 to 1981. A Democrat, Adams was noted as a supporter of progressive policies, including assisted suicide, marijuana legalization, and abortion. In addition to his career as a state Representative, Adams was an accomplished chiropractor who served as president of the American Chiropractic Association.
Early life and education
Adams was born in Bellingham, Washington, on August 22, 1900.{{cite web |date=1969 |title=Pictorial Directory, Forty-First Session, Washing State Legislature |url=https://leg.wa.gov/History/Legislative/Documents/Pictorial_Phone/41stSession1969opt.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220125155126/https://leg.wa.gov/History/Legislative/Documents/Pictorial_Phone/41stSession1969opt.pdf |archive-date=January 25, 2022 |website=Washington State Legislature |page=24}} He studied at the Palmer College of Chiropractic in Davenport, Iowa, graduating in 1924.
Career
= Chiropractor =
In 1945, Adams moved to Tacoma, Washington, and opened an office there.{{Cite news |date=1980-08-13 |title=Don't anyone say anything to Doc Adams. |pages=25 |work=The Tacoma News Tribune |url=https://thenewstribune.newspapers.com/article/the-news-tribune-dont-anyone-say-anythi/125189498/ |access-date=2023-05-23 |via=newspapers.com}} Active in the wider chiropractor community, Adams was legislative chairman and later president of the Washington Chiropractors Association.{{Cite news |date=1965-06-25 |title=Dr. Adams Heads U.S. Chiropractors |pages=2 |work=The Tacoma News Tribune |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-news-tribune-dr-adams-heads-us-ch/125190610/ |access-date=2023-05-23 |via=newspapers.com}} He was elected president of the American Chiropractic Association in 1965 and served one term.{{Cite news |date=1965-06-25 |title=New President |pages=5 |work=The Bellingham Herald |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-bellingham-herald-new-president/125190376/ |access-date=2023-05-23 |via=newspapers.com}} Adams was also vice president of the International Chiropractors Association for some time. He retired from private practice in 1973.{{Cite news |date=1980-03-15 |title=Rep. Adams won't run again |pages=36 |work=The Tacoma News Tribune |url=https://thenewstribune.newspapers.com/article/the-news-tribune-rep-adams-wont-run-ag/125189517/ |access-date=2023-05-23 |via=newspapers.com}}
= Politics =
Adams began his political career in 1960 as a member of the Tacoma Utility Board. A Democrat, he was first elected to the Washington House of Representatives in 1968, defeating the Republican nominee by a 52{{En dash}}48 margin, with a campaign heavily focusing on pension issues.{{Cite news |last=Pyle |first=Jack |date=1968-11-08 |title=Incumbents to Serve A Long, Long Time |pages=50 |work=The Tacoma News Tribune |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-news-tribune-incumbents-to-serve-a-l/125190953/ |access-date=2023-05-23 |via=newspapers.com}}{{Cite news |date=1968-11-24 |title=Final Count Shows Pierce Voters 'Elected' Humphrey, O'Connell |pages=21 |work=The Tacoma News Tribune |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-news-tribune-final-count-shows-pierc/125191387/ |access-date=2023-05-23 |via=Newspapers.com}} One of his first actions in the House was to cosponsor a bill banning the carry of "dangerous weapons" at protests.{{Cite news |date=1969-01-18 |title=Bill Asks Curb On Weapons In Demonstrations |pages=21 |work=The Tacoma News Tribune |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-news-tribune-bill-asks-curb-on-weapo/125194376/ |access-date=2023-05-23 |via=Newspapers.com}} The bill was initially contested due to unclear language, however, it was passed unanimously when the Seattle Black Panthers announced their intention to protest the bill.{{Cite news |date=1969-02-23 |title=Technicality Dropped; Gun Bill Advances |pages=14 |work=The Tacoma News Tribune |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-news-tribune-technicality-dropped-g/125194499/ |access-date=2023-05-23 |via=Newspapers.com}}{{Cite news |last=Ferguson |first=Adele |author-link=Adele Ferguson (American journalist) |date=1969-02-27 |title=Legislature Prepares For Reported Negro Protest |pages=1 |work=The Bremerton Sun |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/kitsap-sun-legislature-prepares-for-repo/125194483/ |access-date=2023-05-23 |via=Newspapers.com}} He supported the 1970 legislation which legalized abortion in Washington.{{Cite news |last=Nesvig |first=Jonathan |date=1970-01-11 |title=Most Pierce Lawmakers Want New Abortion Law |pages=26 |work=The Tacoma News Tribune |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-news-tribune-most-pierce-lawmakers-w/125208073/ |access-date=2023-05-23 |via=Newspapers.com}}
Adams ran for reelection in 1970. While he won the primary, he had a lower vote total than his Republican opponents.{{Cite news |last=Pyle |first=Jack |date=1970-09-16 |title=Craig Bested by Johnston for Assessor |pages=3 |work=The Tacoma News Tribune |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-news-tribune-johnston-defeats-l-w/125208204/ |access-date=2023-05-23 |via=Newspapers.com}} He won the general election, again by a 52{{En dash}}48 margin.{{Cite news |last=Pyle |first=Jack |date=1970-11-04 |title=Demos Dominate Pierce Elections |pages=1 |work=The Tacoma News Tribune |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-news-tribune-demos-dominate-pierce-e/125208337/ |access-date=2023-05-23 |via=Newspapers.com}}{{Cite news |date=1970-11-18 |title=Official Pierce Ballot County Shows No Substantial Changes |pages=54 |work=The Tacoma News Tribune |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-news-tribune-official-pierce-ballot/125208321/ |access-date=2023-05-23 |via=Newspapers.com}} He was a cosponsor of the law which introduced mandatory vehicle insurance in Washington.{{Cite news |date=1971-01-07 |title=Compulsory Insurance Proposed |pages=18 |work=The Tacoma News Tribune |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-news-tribune-compulsory-insurance-pr/125208734/ |access-date=2023-05-23 |via=Newspapers.com}} In 1972, the redistricting process placed him in the 27th district, where he defeated Dennis Flannigan in a close primary.{{Cite news |date=1972-04-22 |title=Here's State District, Incumbent List |pages=12 |work=The Kitsap Sun |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/kitsap-sun-heres-state-district-incumb/129344345/ |access-date=2023-05-25 |via=Newspapers.com}}{{Cite news |date=1972-09-20 |title=State Representative 27th Dist. Position 2 |pages=2 |work=The News Tribune |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-news-tribune-state-representative-27/125294857/ |access-date=2023-05-25 |via=Newspapers.com}} He went on to win reelection to a third term by a 67{{En dash}}33 margin and was made chair of the House Social and Health Services Committee.{{Cite news |date=1972-11-23 |title=How Pierce County Voted |pages=20 |work=The News Tribune |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-news-tribune-how-pierce-county-voted/125294972/ |access-date=2023-05-25 |via=Newspapers.com}}{{Cite news |date=1972-12-21 |title=House committee leaders named |pages=16 |work=Longview Daily News |agency=Associated Press |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/longview-daily-news-house-committee-lead/125294987/ |access-date=2023-05-25 |via=Newspapers.com}} At 72 years old, Adams was the oldest representative in Washington.{{Cite news |last=Lemon |first=John J. |date=1973-07-26 |title=Legislators Represent 33 Occupational Areas |pages=4 |work=The Spokane Chronicle |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/spokane-chronicle-legislators-represent/125295770/ |access-date=2023-05-25 |via=Newspapers.com}}
In 1974, he sponsored the Senior Services Act, which created a Meals on Wheels program. He also led a probe into escapes at Western State Hospital, which quickly expanded to cover security at all state institutions and a variety of other issues.{{Cite news |last=Mottram |first=Robert H. |date=1974-04-03 |title=Adams to expand security probe |pages=29 |work=The News Tribune |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-news-tribune-adams-to-expand-securit/125575696/ |access-date=2023-05-30 |via=Newspapers.com}}{{Cite news |last=Mottram |first=Robert H. |date=1974-05-17 |title=WSH moonlighting to be probed |pages=3 |work=The News Tribune |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-news-tribune-wsh-moonlighting-to-be/125575746/ |access-date=2023-05-30 |via=Newspapers.com}} Adams beat his opponent in the primary and won the general election 66{{En dash}}34.{{Cite news |date=1974-10-06 |title=Final Pierce County election returns |pages=28 |work=The News Tribune |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-news-tribune-final-pierce-county-ele/125576365/ |access-date=2023-05-30 |via=Newspapers.com}}{{Cite news |date=1974-11-24 |title=Pierce County's final election returns |pages=49 |work=The News Tribune |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-news-tribune-pierce-countys-final-e/125576323/ |access-date=2023-05-30 |via=Newspapers.com}} He opposed the 1976 effort to remove Leonard A. Sawyer from his position of Speaker of the House.{{Cite news |last=Cummings |first=Robert C. |date=1976-01-22 |title=Pierce group cries alarm |pages=9 |work=The News Tribune |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-news-tribune-pierce-group-cries-alar/125577797/ |access-date=2023-05-30 |via=Newspapers.com}} That same year, he won election for his fifth term 62{{En dash}}38.{{Cite news |date=1976-11-21 |title=Official Pierce County final election returns |pages=23 |work=The News Tribune |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-news-tribune-official-pierce-county/125577742/ |access-date=2023-05-30 |via=Newspapers.com}}
Adams sponsored a "Death with Dignity" bill in 1977 that would have legalized a form of assisted suicide in Washington.{{Cite news |date=1977-01-19 |title=Adams offers 'death-with-dignity' bill |pages=42 |work=The News Tribune |agency=Associated Press |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-news-tribune-adams-offers-death-wit/125705407/ |access-date=2023-06-01 |via=Newspapers.com}} He also supported a bill to decriminalize marijuana and a bill to legalize the prescription of Laetrile.{{Cite news |last=Gibbs |first=Al |date=1977-04-07 |title=House huffs, puffs grudging OK to pot |pages=2 |work=The News Tribune |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-news-tribune-house-huffs-puffs-grud/125705419/ |access-date=2023-06-01 |via=Newspapers.com}}{{Cite news |date=1977-05-18 |title=Bill allowing laetrile use passes easily in House |pages=8 |work=The Spokesman-Review |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-spokesman-review-bill-allowing-laetr/125705448/ |access-date=2023-06-01 |via=Newspapers.com}} He supported decriminalization of marijuana again the following year, saying that "We need to send Washington, D.C., a message."{{Cite news |date=1978-07-20 |title=Put use for cancer eyed |pages=3 |work=Longview Daily News |agency=Associated Press |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/longview-daily-news-put-use-for-cancer-e/125706391/ |access-date=2023-06-01 |via=Newspapers.com}} He won re-election 65{{En dash}}35.{{Cite news |date=1978-11-19 |title=How you voted |pages=58 |work=The News Tribune |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-news-tribune-how-you-voted/125706373/ |access-date=2023-06-01 |via=Newspapers.com}}
In 1979, Adams continued to push for assisted suicide and marijuana legislation, successfully passing both bills through the House.{{Cite news |last=Pugnetti |first=Jerry |date=1979-02-03 |title=House approves marijuana-use bill |pages=7 |work=The News Tribune |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-news-tribune-house-approves-marijuan/126342878/ |access-date=2023-06-13 |via=Newspapers.com}}{{Cite news |date=1979-02-06 |title=Death-dignity bill OK'd |pages=14 |work=The Spokesman-Review |agency=Associated Press |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-spokesman-review-death-dignity-bill/126342943/ |access-date=2023-06-13 |via=Newspapers.com}} He also cosponsored a bill creating a state lottery, although this did not ultimately pass.{{Cite news |last=Pugnetti |first=Jerry |date=1979-01-19 |title=State lottery bill filed by Tacoma legislator |pages=4 |work=The News Tribune |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-news-tribune-state-lottery-bill-file/126343001/ |access-date=2023-06-13 |via=Newspapers.com}}{{Cite news |last=Keen |first=David |date=1979-03-09 |title=Area residents to reap some benefits |pages=12 |work=The Columbian |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-columbian-area-residents-to-reap-som/129344539/ |access-date=2023-08-02 |via=Newspapers.com}} In May, Adams received criticism for taking a two-week vacation to Hawaii because his absence gave the Republicans a one-vote majority in the House, with an editorial in The News Tribune describing him as being "out of bounds."{{Cite news |last=Pugnetti |first=Jerry |date=1979-05-13 |title=House in session, Adams in Hawaii |pages=10 |work=The News Tribune |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-news-tribune-house-in-session-adams/126343092/ |access-date=2023-06-13 |via=Newspapers.com}}{{Cite news |date=1979-05-15 |title=An untimely vacation |pages=8 |work=The News Tribune |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-news-tribune-an-untimely-vacation/126343211/ |access-date=2023-06-13 |via=Newspapers.com}} The following year, Adams opted to not run for reelection, citing a need to spend time with his family. He was succeeded by fellow Democrat Art Wang, who defeated his Republican opponent 71{{En dash}}29.{{Cite news |last=Cronin |first=Teresa |date=1980-11-05 |title=County legislators buck GOP trend |pages=5 |work=The News Tribune |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-news-tribune-county-legislators-buck/126343869/ |access-date=2023-06-13 |via=Newspapers.com}}
Personal life
Adams was married to Mildred S. Adams (1899{{En dash}}1993), a music and art teacher, on August 22, 1923.{{Cite news |date=1993-03-23 |title=Mildred S. Adams |pages=20 |work=Morning News Tribune |url=https://thenewstribune.newspapers.com/article/the-news-tribune-mildred-s-adams/125189429/ |access-date=2023-05-23 |via=newspapers.com}} They had one child together. He was a Shriner. Adams supported the legalization of greyhound racing.{{Cite news |date=1972-10-13 |title=Name Similar, Stand Differs |pages=3 |work=Spokane Chronicle |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/spokane-chronicle-name-similar-stand-di/125295000/ |access-date=2023-05-25 |via=Newspapers.com}} Late in his political career, Adams was arrested for driving while intoxicated.{{Cite news |date=1979-03-29 |title=Intoxication laid to solon |pages=2 |work=The News Tribune |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-news-tribune-intoxication-laid-to-so/126343359/ |access-date=2023-06-13 |via=Newspapers.com}}
Adams died on May 31, 1985.{{Cite news |date=1985-06-03 |title=Dr. Abner A. Adams |pages=10 |work=The Olympian |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-olympian-dr-abner-a-adams/125189007/ |access-date=2023-05-23 |via=Newspapers.com}} His wife, Mildred, died on March 21, 1993.
Electoral history
{{Election box open primary begin no change|title=26th House District Position 1 Election, 1968{{Cite web |title=Elections Search Results - November 1968 General - September 1968 Primary |url=https://www.sos.wa.gov/elections/results_report.aspx?e=43,44&c=&c2=&t=&t2=4&p=&p2=&y= |access-date=2023-05-23 |website=Washington Secretary of State}}}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change|party=Washington Republican Party|candidate=Homer Humiston|votes=8,929|percentage=52.58}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change|party=Washington Democratic Party|candidate=A.A. Adams|votes=5,068|percentage=29.84}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change|party=Washington Democratic Party|candidate=Don Smith|votes=2,985|percentage=17.58}}
{{Election box total no change|votes=16,982|percentage=100.00}}
{{Election box open primary general election no change}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change|party=Washington Democratic Party|candidate=A.A. Adams|votes=15,053|percentage=51.96}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change|party=Washington Republican Party|candidate=Homer Humiston|votes=13,918|percentage=48.04}}
{{Election box total no change|votes=28,971|percentage=100.0}}
{{Election box end}}
References
{{reflist}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Adams, A. A.}}
Category:Politicians from Bellingham, Washington
Category:Democratic Party members of the Washington House of Representatives
Category:American chiropractors
Category:Health professionals from Washington (state)
Category:20th-century members of the Washington State Legislature