An uncommon course
for the common good.

We are City State.

A public affairs consultancy helping mission-driven businesses, civic agencies, and community organizations distill winning strategy, build powerful coalitions, navigate complex policy, and execute across teams.

Today’s ever-evolving opportunities demand the best in partners. Backed by over two decades of cross-sector expertise, City State transforms your strategic relationships into measurable results.

Services

This is why people come to City State.

Strategy

Crafting policy, advocacy, and engagement strategies and plans.

  • Communications & Messaging

  • Campaign & Project Management

  • Strategic Partnerships

Public Affairs

Working at the intersection of policy, politics, and strategic communications.

  • Policy Development

  • State & Local Government Relations

  • Strategic Communications

Community Engagement

Building coalitions and partnerships across leaders and organizations to influence policy and deliver on cross-sector goals.

  • Stakeholder Engagement

  • Cross-sector Collaboration

  • Association Management

Leadership Development

Developing executive capacity and strategic board governance to guide organizational direction and impact.

  • Strategic Planning & Facilitation

  • Team Development

  • Succession planning

Values

Guided by our values.
True to our course.

Dare to be true.

Advocacy must be bold and rooted in integrity. No two projects are the same. Unique engagements deserve original strategies.

Raise the sails.

You can’t wait for perfect conditions. A good plan executed with initiative is essential to navigate shifting landscapes.

Deliver joyful impact.

Exceptional results and impact depend on a sense of humor and genuine connection. We take our work seriously — not ourselves.

About

For over 20 years, Cameron Smith has worked at the center of Oregon policy and politics. Respected on both sides of the aisle, he brings trusted expertise and relationships to help mission-driven organizations craft winning strategies, build impactful coalitions, navigate complex policy, and execute across teams.

Cameron is a strategist and advisor known for delivering advocacy results.

At the state level, he helped champion a constitutional amendment to dedicate lottery revenues to better serve veterans and their families. 

As a regulatory leader, he helped launch a nation-leading reinsurance program to stabilize health insurance rates for Oregon consumers and businesses. 

In the private sector, he helped envision and implement a strategic merger to create a six-state trade association focused on advocacy for credit unions.

Before establishing City State, Cameron served for over ten years as a senior advisor to three Oregon Governors and as the chief of staff to a Secretary of State. 

He has also led at the executive level as the director of two state agencies and as a chief growth officer in the private sector. A graduate of Carleton College, Cameron is also a proud Marine who served three tours overseas.

A Boston native and long time Oregonian, Cameron lives in Southeast Portland with his wife and two children. When he isn’t collaborating and problem solving with clients, you can most likely find him coaching his son’s soccer team or running the clock at his daughter's basketball games.g

Connect

Let’s Work Together

Connect for a coffee, happy hour, or call to discuss your project and how we can chart a course together.

Reach out and we’ll get right back to you.