Friends,
Between now and Election Day in May, we will highlight the 30 Emerge Oregon alumnae appearing on primary ballots throughout the state.
In previous emails we focused on our alumnae at the top of the ticket, those who are running for re-election to the Oregon State Legislature and first-time candidates for the state legislature.
Today we focus on candidates who are running for county commission seats!
Sincerely,
Emerge Oregon
Heather Buch, Lane County Commission, District 5 (East Lane County):
“As the mother of a young child, an owner of a successful small business and an expert in providing stable housing for vulnerable communities, I will bring a perspective not currently represented on the board. I want to work for all that live here, both urban and rural. We need to find new ways to provide access and affordability to housing, help support and grow small businesses, and ensure quality, low cost healthcare to improve the lives of all people in Lane County.”
Kathryn Harrington, Chair, Washington County:
“I love Washington County. After serving as a Metro Councilor for over a decade, I’m running to be Washington County Chair to continue my work to improve transportation, jobs, and housing for everyone in our community.”
Kimberly Culbertson, Washington County Commission, District 4:
“Washington County is changing. We are more diverse and more populous than ever before. I am running because when things are changing, the Commission should be looking at the county with a fresh eye, listen to the people, both rural and urban, learn from the successes and failures of other counties, and plan ahead to serve our people. I am the candidate who is not shackled to the way things have always been done. I have been building community in Washington County for 25 years and can bring a fresh perspective to the commission.”
Sonya Fischer, Clackamas County Commission, Position 5:
“Much of my life experience directly relates to the critical role county government plays in the life, health and safety of our community. As a young mother of a child with severe disabilities and with family members impacted by mental health issues, I understand the importance of a safety net. As someone who has run her own law firm, I understand the needs and priorities of small businesses, which create the greatest number of jobs in our county. I am focused on ways to make county government work effectively and respectfully, internally, in its relationships with citizens and the 15 cities and unincorporated areas that make up Clackamas County.”
Susheela Jayapal, Multnomah County Commission, District 2:
“I have spent the last 20 years working to build a community where all people, all families, and all children can thrive. I’m running for the Multnomah County Commission because the county is where the major issues facing our most vulnerable residents intersect. And where I can bring my passion and focus on economic, social, and racial justice where it’s needed most — putting opportunity and equity at the forefront of the agenda, the conversation, and public policy.”