Jefferson Smith

Jefferson Smith is the Founding Chair of the Oregon Bus Project and has become one of the Northwest's foremost spokespersons on voter mobilization and developing new civic leadership. His work with the Bus Project—a grassroots political incubator—has engaged thousands of new people new to the political process and advocated for forward-thinking public policy.

Jefferson Smith is an Oregon native, graduate with honors of the University of Oregon Political Science Department, and magna cum laude graduate of Harvard Law School. He clerked for the Honorable Alfred Goodwin of the U.S. Court of Appeals before turning down offers from across the country to return home to Oregon to work as a lawyer and political activist. During his undergrad years at U of O he was twice selected a "Centurion," and during his senior year was president of his fraternity and was named "Greek of the Year."

The Bus Project was born in 2001 when a group of friends purchased a 1978 touring coach, filled it with mostly young volunteers, and drove to swing districts across Oregon in support of the "Six E's": Education, Environment, Economy, Equal Rights, Election Reform, and 'Ealth Care (with no "h"). From 2002-2004, Bus PAC volunteers knocked on over 200,000 doors, supported 10 State Senate candidates, and helped win 9 of those races. In 2006, the Bus PAC supported 10 State House candidates, and nine of those won as well. 50 Simple Things author Jon Javna dubbed Jefferson "a progressive hero," and former Oregon Governor Barbara Roberts called the Bus "the most exciting thing in Oregon politics in the last 20 years."

In addition, the Bus has registered thousands of voters, developed numerous young leaders, and launched over fifteen innovative programs and projects. The Bus Project launched Trick-or-Vote, a costumed Halloween canvass which turned out to be the biggest in Oregon history and earned ink in the Wall Street Journal. The online action site OnwardOregon.org has grown to 55,000 online members and is one of the State's fastest growing political efforts. In 2005, Jefferson Smith and the Bus Project launched PolitiCorps - a groundbreaking, ten week leadership boot camp. And in 2006, The Bus incubated Building votes, which registered over 20,000 voters and increased Oregon's youth electorate by 6%. White House speechwriter and Next Deal author Andrei Cherny dubbed the Bus "one of the most innovative political organizations in the country."

Portland Magazine named Jefferson one of Portland's Most Eligible Bachelors, the Oregonian has dubbed him "a brilliant speaker," and Portland UpClose named him one of the "Top 20 to Watch." A column headline from The Oregonian labeled Jefferson as having the "Vision, Youth To Help Us Find A New Path."

In May he was nominated in both the Democratic and Republican Party Primary to succeed Oregon House Speaker Jeff Merkely in the Oregon legislature, and is expected to begin representing the 47th District, located just west of Gresham, in January of 2009.