Jefferson Smith (Oregon politician)
| Jefferson Smith | |
|---|---|
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| Smith in 2008 | |
| Member of the Oregon House of Representatives from the 47th district |
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| Incumbent | |
| Assumed office 2009 |
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| Preceded by | Jeff Merkley |
| Personal details | |
| Born | June 29, 1973 Portland, Oregon |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Alma mater | University of Oregon Harvard Law School |
| Profession | Attorney |
Jefferson Smith (born June 29, 1973) is an Oregon Democratic politician and the founder of the Bus Project. In 2008, he was elected to the Oregon House of Representatives representing District 47 in east Portland. He is seeking election as Mayor of Portland in 2012.[1]
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[edit] Early life and career
Smith was born in Portland in 1973 to attorney and former Umatilla County district attorney R. P. Joe Smith and family therapist Suzanne Peck.[2] He was named for U.S. President Thomas Jefferson.[2] He is a great-great-great grandnephew of Joseph Smith, founder of Mormonism. His parents split before his second birthday, and he moved with his mother to South Pasadena, California.[2] He returned to Portland during his seventh-grade year, and later became class president at Grant High School.[2][3] His mother died of breast cancer when Smith was a teenager.[2]
Smith earned a bachelor's degree in political science from the University of Oregon, where he was a member of the Beta Theta Pi fraternity.[2] At his father's insistence, he took a year off during college, serving as a youth counselor in Lane County and then running youth sports programs in Washington, D.C.[2] Smith went on to earn a law degree from Harvard Law School, where he finished in the top five percent in his class.[2][4][5]
Following law school, Smith took a job at the New York City law firm Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz. His second day on the job, he was asked to take a case defending tobacco companies.[2] He declined, and returned to Oregon.[3] He took a job with Stoel Rives, but became motivated to establish an organization dedicated to engaging young people with progressive politics, reportedly often working until midnight.[2] He soon left the law firm, founding the Bus Project in 2001.[5]
[edit] Political career
In 2008, Smith was elected with no opposition to the Oregon House of Representatives representing House District 47. The seat was vacated by Jeff Merkley who was running for the United States Senate.[6]
In April 2011, Smith released the results of a video he compiled of Oregon state representatives reciting the lyrics of Rick Astley's 1980s pop hit "Never Gonna Give You Up".[7]
In September 2011, he announced he would run for Mayor of Portland in 2012.[1]
[edit] Personal
Smith is married to Katy Lesowski, also a Portland native and a co-founder of the Bus Project.[5][8] His stepmother, Meredith Wood Smith, is chair of the Oregon Democratic Party.[2]
[edit] See also
- Joseph Fielding Smith, Smith's grandfather
[edit] References
- ^ a b Slovic, Beth (September 13, 2011). "Jefferson Smith announces he will run for Portland mayor, challenging Eileen Brady and Charlie Hales". The Oregonian. http://blog.oregonlive.com/portlandcityhall/2011/09/jefferson_smith_announces_he_w.html. Retrieved September 13, 2011.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Law, Steve (March 26, 2009). "Mr. Smith goes to Salem". Portland Tribune.
- ^ a b Collins, Cliff. "Jefferson Smith: Active in the Forum". Oregon State Bar. http://www.osbar.org/publications/bulletin/06jun/profiles.html. Retrieved 2008-11-13.
- ^ "Jefferson Smith". Project VoteSmart. http://www.votesmart.org/bio.php?can_id=103196. Retrieved 2008-11-13.
- ^ a b c "Meet Jeff". JeffersonSmith.com. http://www.jeffersonsmith.com/meet_jeff/. Retrieved 2008-11-13.[dead link]
- ^ "Oregon Legislature Results". OregonLive.com. http://www.oregonlive.com/special/index.ssf/2008/11/legislature.html. Retrieved 2008-11-13.
- ^ "How one Oregon lawmaker convinced his colleagues to 'Rick Roll' the state legislature". Yahoo News. http://news.yahoo.com/s/yblog_theticket/20110408/ts_yblog_theticket/how-one-oregon-lawmaker-convinced-his-colleagues-to-rick-roll-the-state-legislature. Retrieved 2011-04-08.
- ^ Law, Steve (2008-03-21). "Timely moves set up races". East County News. http://www.eastcountynews.com/news/story.php?story_id=120605145569515300. Retrieved 2008-11-13.
