24 Facts About Peter Courtney

Peter Michael Coleman Courtney was an American politician, lawyer, and professor who was a Democratic member of the Oregon State Senate, representing the 11th District from 1999 until 2023.

Peter Courtney served as President of the Senate from 2003 to 2023.

Peter Courtney was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on June 18,1943.

Peter Courtney grew up in Moorestown, New Jersey, West Virginia, Rhode Island, and Virginia, the son of a life insurance agent.

In high school, Peter Courtney played on the school's football team.

Peter Courtney attended college at the University of Rhode Island where he earned a bachelor's degree in political science in 1965 and a master's in public administration the following year.

Peter Courtney graduated from Boston University's law school, and then moved to Oregon in 1969 to become the law clerk of William S Fort of the Oregon Court of Appeals.

Peter Courtney arrived in Salem and stayed at the YMCA for two years.

Peter Courtney was first elected to the Oregon Legislative Assembly in 1980 as a Democrat representing Marion and Polk counties in the Oregon House of Representatives.

Peter Courtney gave up his House seat to run for the US House of Representatives, 5th district, in the 1984 primary.

Peter Courtney narrowly lost to state senator Ruth McFarland, who had been the 1982 nominee.

Peter Courtney served as minority leader during the 1997 session.

Peter Courtney avoided term limits by moving from the House to the Senate in 1999, representing only Marion County.

In 2003, Peter Courtney was selected as the President of the Oregon State Senate.

Peter Courtney was the longest-serving legislator and Senate President in Oregon's history.

In January 2022, Peter Courtney announced he would not seek reelection to the Oregon Senate due to health issues.

Peter Courtney served as co-chair of the Legislative Counsel Committee, the Legislative Policy and Research Committee, and the Legislative Administrative Committee.

Peter Courtney taught speech at Western Oregon University, and served as an administrator at the Monmouth school.

Peter Courtney married Margie Courtney in 1976; they had three sons.

Peter Courtney worked as a political commentator for KPTV television and KSLM radio.

Peter Courtney appeared in the documentary film Running Forward: Conquering Oregon's Hood to Coast Relay, that was released in 2011.

Peter Courtney served on several boards of directors, and was a member of the Oregon State Bar.

In 2021, Peter Courtney had one of his kidneys removed due to his ureteral cancer.

Peter Courtney died from complications of cancer in Salem, on July 16,2024, at the age of 81.