Zane Emerson

Voraciously curious college student dedicated to uncovering hidden assumptions, challenging conventional wisdom, and seeking solutions to foster a world where everyone can thrive. Driven by a passion for the truth and a deep belief in the power of well-reasoned ideas to shape policy and improve lives, I aim to inspire meaningful change through scholarly research, thoughtful leadership, collaboration, and hard work.

Phonathon Ambassador at Lewis & Clark College (2023-09 – Present)

• Raising money for Annual Fund by calling alumni and building relationships

Canvasser at Fund for the Public Interest (2023-05 – 2023-08)

• Building public support for Environment Oregon and OSPIRG through door-to-door canvassing
• Fundraising, public education, membership building, and signature gathering

Financial Aid Office Assistant at Lewis & Clark College (2022-11 – 2023-05)

• Updating financial aid records
• Responding to incoming calls
• Assisting in financial aid projects
• Drafting emails for financial aid correspondence

Speech and Debate Competitor at McDaniel High School and Lewis & Clark College (2019-09 – Present)

Speaking and debating for McDaniel High School and Lewis & Clark College, competing locally, regionally, and nationally. Researching, writing, and memorizing speeches to deliver in competition, researching/preparing debate arguments, and mentoring teammates and younger debaters.

• Speech events: Impromptu, Extemporaneous, Informative, After Dinner Speaking
• Debate events: Policy, Public Forum, Lincoln-Douglas, IPDA
• Gold Medalist, IPDA, National Online Forensics Championship (2024)
• Winner, IPDA Round Robin, Nicholas Burnett Invitational Tournament (2025)

Research Assistant, Ranked Choice Voting Practicum at Lewis & Clark College (2024-08 – 2024-12)

Provided supplementary research for political science professors preparing empirical papers about Portland's newly implemented ranked choice voting system for city council and mayoral elections.

• Reviewed the empirical literature on ranked choice voting with an emphasis on measuring candidate quality
• Drafted memoranda summarizing research
• Collaborated with fellow research assistants on shared projects examining different hypothesized variables

Fellow, Hudson Institute Political Studies Program at Hudson Institute Political Studies Program (2026-06 – 2026-07)

Discussed texts of political philosophy and American history (including Plato, Abraham Lincoln, John Locke, and Alexander Hamilton) in seminar-style classes led my distinguished professors and intellectuals. Completed a variety of workshops led by professors, policy analysts, and government officials to gain real-world experience of American government and politics. Attended a distinguished speaker series by listening to speeches of high-profile intellectuals.

Legislative Intern at U.S. House of Representatives (2024-05 – 2024-06)

Provided administrative, research, and constituent support for the DC and Portland offices of OR-03 Representative, Congressman Earl Blumenauer.

• Compiled press clippings
• Logged voicemails
• Distributed casework
• Read and coded constituent communications
• Assisted legislative and communication teams with detailed research
• Led tours of the U.S. Capitol Building

B.A. in Political Science – Lewis & Clark College (2026-05)