Barbara Smith Warner

Barbara Smith Warner (born 1967) is an American Democratic politician from the U.S. state of Oregon. She served as a member of the Oregon House of Representatives for the 45th district from 2014 to 2022.

Barbara Smith Warner
Majority Leader of the Oregon House of Representatives
In office
July 19, 2019 – January 16, 2022
Preceded byJennifer Williamson
Succeeded byJulie Fahey
Member of the Oregon House of Representatives
from the 45th district
In office
January 15, 2014 – January 9, 2023
Preceded byMichael Dembrow
Succeeded byThuy Tran
Personal details
Born1967 (age 55–56)
Erie, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
EducationGannon University (BA)

Early life and education

Born Barbara Smith in Erie, Pennsylvania, she is a graduate of Gannon University.[1]

Career

Warner worked as a labor organizer in Washington, D.C., ran the Oregon House Democratic Caucus, and served as a labor liaison for Senator Ron Wyden and has been active as a community organizer for affordable health care and education access.[1]

In November 2013, Michael Dembrow resigned from his seat in the Oregon House of Representatives when he was appointed to fill Jackie Dingfelder's seat in the Oregon Senate.[2] Multnomah County Commissioners appointed Smith Warner to fill Dembrow's seat in the Oregon House a few weeks later.[3] She was sworn in on January 15, 2014, shortly before the 2014 Legislative Short Session.[4] In July 2019, she was elected as Majority Leader by the Oregon House Democratic Caucus,[5] and served until January 2022.

On March 7, 2022, Smith Warner announced she would retire from the legislature.[6] She was succeeded by optometrist Thuy Tran, a fellow Democrat and a former member of the Parkrose School Board.[7]

In February 2023, Smith Warner was named executive director of The National Vote at Home Institute.[8]

Personal life

Smith Warner and her husband Chris Warner, who served as chief of staff to former Portland City Commissioner Steve Novick, live in Portland's Rose City Park neighborhood with their two children.[9]

References
  1. House, Kelly (December 20, 2013). "Barbara Smith Warner, new Oregon state representative, discusses priorities". The Oregonian. Retrieved February 4, 2014.
  2. House, Kelly (November 18, 2013). "Rep. Michael Dembrow to replace Jackie Dingfelder in state Senate". The Oregonian. Retrieved February 4, 2014.
  3. House, Kelly (December 19, 2013). "Barbara Smith Warner to replace Michael Dembrow in Oregon state House". The Oregonian. Retrieved February 4, 2014.
  4. "New lawmaker joins at midway point". Statesman Journal. Retrieved 2023-03-08.
  5. "Oregon House Dems Elect Barbara Smith Warner as New Majority Leader". Willamette Week. Retrieved 2019-12-09.
  6. "Former House Majority Leader Barbara Smith Warner Won't Seek Reelection". Willamette Week. Retrieved 2023-03-08.
  7. Oregonian/OregonLive, Jamie Goldberg | The (2022-05-18). "Optometrist Thuy Tran wins primary for open House seat representing NE Portland". oregonlive. Retrieved 2023-03-08.
  8. Wilkes, Tyra (2023-02-16). "NVAHI Announces Barbara Smith Warner as Executive Director". National Vote at Home Institute. Retrieved 2023-03-08.
  9. "Meet the Team". City of Portland, Oregon. Retrieved February 4, 2014.
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