About Peter Buckley

Peter has been involved with politics and political discussion since he was thirteen years old. His family has a history of service to others, and throughout his adult life he has always volunteered his time and energy to help others. In 2002, he was the Democratic candidate for Congress in Southern Oregon, raising the level of discussion when others shied from the challenge. Since 2004, he has served our interests in the State House of Representatives, and is currently the Assistant Democratic Leader.

Peter has been involved in the management of nonprofit organizations for the past 20 years. He turned around the financially struggling Ferndale Repertory Theatre in the 1980s into a successful local art center. He added staff, increased salaries and added health care benefits for the first time in the organization's history.

As an extension of his administrator's role for Dell'Arte International in Northern California, Peter worked with federal, state, county and city elected officials to improve cultural tourism and create jobs in Humboldt County.

He was a 5-year member of the Blue Lake Chamber of Commerce and served as their vice president for two of those years.

He helped to develop and implement the second phase of the nationally recognized Arts Plus programs for K-8 classrooms through work with the National Endowment for the Arts in Washington, DC. The programs he helped define continue to have national impact.

Peter's community service has focused on helping organizations raise funds to provide more services or programs for their clients. Those he helped include: Boys & Girls Club, Hospice of Humboldt, KEET-TV, (PBS), KHSU (NPR), Humboldt Senior Center, Arcata Children's Center, Pacific Art Center, the Ink People and Head Start.

Peter has 15 years of experience as a political commentator for NPR affiliates, listening to people, analyzing events and discussing important issues in a down to earth, everyday way.

Peter moved to Ashland, Oregon, in 1997 to raise his three sons with his wife, Joan Langley, the Education Director of the Oregon Shakespeare Festival. When not engaged in political conversation or working to support and strengthen the Democratic Party in the state of Oregon, Peter enjoys spending time with family and friends, and running with his dog at least three times a week. He has been described as an "optimist with realistic expectations" and someone whose fresh ideas and dynamic attitude can help turn things around in Salem for all of us in House District 5.