Peter Courtney, a powerful figure in Oregon politics for decades and the state’s longest serving lawmaker and Senate president, has died at age 81 from complications related to cancer. “Peter Courtney will go down in history as one of the most influential and important leaders in legislative history,” Sen. Elizabeth Steiner, a Portland Democrat and budget co-chair, said in 2022 when Courtney announced he would retire from politics after 20 years presiding over the Senate and 38 years as an Oregon lawmaker. Courtney was known for his skills as a dealmaker and his insistence on bipartisan support for legislation. He was a talented but idiosyncratic speaker, colleagues say, and a decisive leader willing to leave bills on the cutting room floor when it came time to close down a session. Read more at the link in our bio. 📸: killendave #petercourtney #orsenate #oregonsenate #senatepresident #oregon #orpolitics #oregon #theoregonian #obituary