Occupational Background: Lane County Commissioner since 1997. Oregon State Senator (4 years), Attorney in private practice in Eugene (15 years), Special Assistant to U.S. Secretary of Agriculture (Carter Administration, Washington, D.C., 3 years ), Legislative Assistant to U.S. Rep. Jim Weaver (D-Oregon, Washington , D.C., 3 years).

Education: Program for Emerging Political Leaders, University of Virginia 1996;JD degree in Law, University of Oregon, 1982; MA degree in Geography, University of Oregon, 1979; BA degree in Geography, University of Oregon, 1973; AA degree from Southwestern Oregon Community College, 1972. Pete graduated from North Bend (Coos County, Oregon ) High School in 1970.

Prior Public Service: Volunteer prosecutor at the Lane County District Attorney's office; Lane County Democratic Central Committee and budget committee chair; Oregon delegate to the 1996 Democratic National Convention; Eugene City Club charter member; Lane County Redistricting Task Force; Lane Community College board chair and budget committee member; Oregon Community College Association board member; Lane Community College Senior Companion Program advisory committee member; 4th Congressional District Democratic Committee, vice-chair; candidate for Democratic Nomination for Governor of Oregon

Community Service: Volunteer assistant Kidsports soccer coach, volunteer assistant YMCA basketball coach, and volunteer board member of Wayne Morse Historic Park Corporation. Commissioner Sorenson was also a coach at the Mock Trial Team and was Adjunct Professor at the University of Oregon Law School.

Committees:  Lane County Domestic Violence Council, Cascade-Pacific RC&D Regional Committee, Eugene Chamber of Commerce, Metropolitan Policy Committee, Lane County Legislative Committee, EmX Advisory Committee, Victims Impact Panel Steering Committee, Commission on Children and Families, Long Tom Watershed Council, Community Health Advisory Committee, Resource Recovery Advisory Committee, Law Library Advisory Committee, Building Appeals Advisory Board, Board of Property Tax Appeals, Lane County Planning Commission, LCOG Senior Advisory Council, SAVE Committee.

Interests and Hobbies: Hiking, travel, history, and geography.

Family: Commissioner Sorenson is married to Kim Leval. They live in Eugene. Pete has two children, Jennifer and Erik.

Jennifer works with abused children in the Portland area. Erik is a senior at DePaul University, where he plays goalie for the Big East Blue Demon soccer team. Commissioner Sorenson’s father passed away in March 2006 after living in Lane County for a number of years. His mother continues to live in Eugene.