Jamie McLeod-Skinner

Jamie McLeod-Skinner is running to replace Greg Walden in the U.S. House. She ran an impressive grassroots, people-powered campaign to win the Democratic primary in May. 

About Jamie:

Jamie has a lifelong commitment to public service. After earning degrees in Civil Engineering and Regional Planning, Jamie faced a decision: follow her classmates into the private sector or commit herself to public service. She chose service, and continues to follow the advice her mom gave her: “Always leave a place better than you found it.”

Jamie is committed to refugees and our Veterans. She has managed reconstruction projects in war-torn Bosnia and designed water systems in rural Kosovo, where she worked with our troops to secure the peace. When she returned to the US, the International Rescue Committee appointed her Regional Director of their San Jose office, where she led efforts to help refugees achieve self-sufficiency.

Jamie has experience in the practical side of government. In the public sector, Jamie served as a Senior City Planner in Silicon Valley, where she developed public policy to address climate change and affordable housing. She later worked as an Environmental Planner for a regional water agency serving over two million customers in both urban and rural areas.

Jamie has run successful campaigns and held elected office. While living and working in Silicon Valley, Jamie was encouraged to run for City Council. She ran as an underdog and won. While in office, she developed a reputation for being socially progressive, fiscally responsible, and a champion for government ethics. During her eight years as a Councilwoman, Jamie received multiple awards for her service. She led her city to aggressively increase its renewable energy portfolio, provide greater affordable housing opportunities, improve economic development, and create a safer and more welcoming community. After terming out of office, Jamie returned home to earn a Juris Doctorate degree from the University of Oregon, focusing on Natural Resource and Water Law.  Since returning to Oregon, Jamie has worked for the US Army Corps of Engineers, on Klamath water rights, and as a city manager.

Jamie has strong Oregon roots and family ties throughout the district. Jamie was born in Wisconsin, the birthplace of popular Oregon Senator Wayne Morse. She moved to Ashland for high school – she still holds a track record at Ashland High, more than thirty years later. While in school, Jamie helped her family make ends meet by cleaning horse stalls and bucking hay. Married and a step-mom to four kids, Jamie and her wife have family throughout southern, central, and eastern Oregon. They help her keep her ear to the ground, bringing perspectives from Medford to Crooked River Ranch, from Ashland to Jordan Valley.