Barbara Smith Warner


Barbara Smith Warner is a Democratic politician from the U.S. state of Oregon. She serves in the Oregon House of Representatives representing District 45, which includes northeastern Portland, Maywood Park and Parkrose.

Early life and career

Born Barbara Smith in Erie, Pennsylvania, she is a graduate of Gannon University. She worked as a labor organizer in Washington, DC, 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.

Political career

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. Multnomah County Commissioners appointed Smith Warner to fill Dembrow's seat in the Oregon House a few weeks later. In July 2019, she was elected as Majority Leader by the .

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.