Speaking for the Senator

Courtney Warner Crowell, a Baker City native, works for U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., as deputy communications director.

Crowell, 28, handles media inquiries for the senator. She is one of four people with this responsibility.

“I love my job — it’s great,” she said. “My role as a spokesperson is to answer questions when he’s not available."

And there always are questions. About legislation: how each piece would affect locals and how her boss plans to vote on each proposal. Or why a federal road hasn’t been repaired yet. Even highly specific queries come up daily, such as why someone can’t fish somewhere or whom to call to help a military veteran.

It has been a learning experience. Just some of the topics Crowell has obtained on-the-job training about: energy, economics, health care and veterans’ issues. What she’s learned about political campaigns and how Oregon’s political-governmental apparatus works has been incredibly valuable, she said.

Crowell also writes press releases and travels with the senator when he visits constituents around the state. Reporters attend most of these events, and questions usually will surface that require detailed answers and research. Making these telephone calls, conducting online searches and checking other resources also can be part of her job.

Before Crowell joined Merkley’s staff, she worked for former Oregon Gov. Ted Kulongoski, where she focused on the Obama administration’s stimulus package and on the governor’s Economic Recovery Team. And she worked to help raise funds for Kulongoski’s gubernatorial campaign.

Crowell graduated from the University of Oregon at Eugene with a degree in political science.

Among her earlier political endeavors: interning for U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., and the Democratic National Committee. She also spent one college summer working for her father, Baker County Commission Chairman Fred Warner Jr., in his office.

For free.

She has watched her father balance a full workload and family time for years.

“My dad is an elected official. I know how hard it is,” she said. “But it’s a great way of being part of your community.”

The Warner family’s interest in civics isn’t limited to her parents or even to holding an elected office.

Crowell’s uncle, Chris Warner, has worked in elected officials’ offices and in government for more than 20 years. He was Kulongoski’s legislative director, Wyden’s state director and political director, and a high-ranking official for Democratic Reps. Peter DeFazio and Elizabeth Furse. He worked for the Oregon Legislature as well. 

Chris Warner works now for Loretta Smith, a Multnomah County commissioner.

Crowell’s grandfather, Fred Warner Sr., is a retired rancher who used his clout to help push for such things as the Interpretive Center and Mason Dam.

Community involvement “is something my family believes in,” she said.

Crowell is happy working behind the scenes to help  Merkley do his job. Running for political office isn’t a burning ambition, but, she explained, “I would never rule anything out.”

Crowell’s interest in government goes back more than a decade: She was the Associated Student Body president during her senior year at Baker High School. Part of her responsibility, as a member of the Class of 2001, was to report about activities at BHS to the school board.

“I just loved it,” she remembered. “I loved to interact with the adults.”

Her government teacher, Anthony Johnson, also helped her find this professional passion.

His academic influence also proved instrumental, she said.

“A lot of people in my generation aren’t engaged politically,” she said. “But these are things that affect them.”

Many people toy with the idea of somehow getting involved, but most often stay out because they view civics as too complicated.

Crowell has advice on how to begin: “Just dive into an issue, or a cause, that interests you.” 

Crowell and her husband, Adam, live in the Portland area.