Wes Cooley (politician)

Wes Cooley (1932-2015) was an American politician who served as a Republican U.S. Representative for Oregon's 2nd congressional district from 1995 to 1996.

Cooley, a rancher and businessman from Powell Butte, Oregon, initially gained attention as a conservative activist. He ran for Congress in 1994, defeating Democratic incumbent Mike Kopetski.

His term in office was short-lived and marred by controversy. It was revealed that Cooley had falsely claimed to have served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War in his official biography and campaign materials. This misrepresentation became a major issue, leading to a criminal investigation.

In 1996, Cooley was indicted on charges of making false statements. He pleaded guilty to one charge of making a false statement to the Oregon Voters' Pamphlet. He was sentenced to probation and fined.

Due to the scandal, Cooley did not seek re-election in 1996. The seat was subsequently won by Republican Greg Walden.

Following his departure from Congress, Cooley largely retreated from public life. He passed away in 2015.