Me on the doors for Pam and Rachel!
It's almost Election Day, and while I was lucky enough to pass the voting threshold for Washington County Commissioner, District 2, back in May, I've still been spending plenty of time out door knocking for my favorite candidates.
If you haven't voted yet, the Oregon Secretary of State recommends you put your ballot in a ballot box instead of a mailbox to make sure it gets in and counted on time. Ballots are due November 3rd by 8pm!
Find your closest ballot box here.
If you are curious who I’m rooting for, here are the Washington County races I have endorsed in:
Team Arts
I recently attended the Oregon Youth: Collaborating and Creating Art Summit, which just happened to be organized by my former campaign intern Isabelle. What a pleasure to support her and chat with art leaders. Many of you might know I love dancing. I grew up dancing tap, jazz, and ballet, and now I’m all about partner dances like tango and salsa. I used to go out all the time until I fell in love with local politics. I still make time for lessons though, and it is such a delightful mental break from work and life.
I was invited to give opening remarks at the Summit. Here’s a snippet of what I shared: We know art of many kinds supports mental and physical health. Public health researchers have documented a growing movement to use music, visual art, movement, and creative writing to promote health and well-being. Art has been used to build vaccine confidence, to fight the opioid epidemic, and to encourage physical activity. Art is a public health tool, and the County is the public health provider.
Ride Along with Portland Street Response
I had the absolute honor of spending four hours on a ride along with my sister Marquea who works for Portland Street Response. While I don’t live in Portland, I’ve worked in Portland for years and have followed this innovative program. Of course I have all sorts of policy ideas and reflections after my ridealong, but more than anything I’m just super proud of my big sister who does such impactful work everyday caring for our community’s most vulnerable. This is an amazing resource Portlanders have! (If you are curious, in Washington County we have the Mental Health Response Team. It’s a different set up with similar goals.)
At the Bienestar Gala with some of my sheroes, Maria Caballero Rubio and Stefanny Caballero
Gala Season
One highlight for me this gala seasons was the Bienestar Gala. I have been following and donating to Bienestar for years, watching their growth and celebrating their amazing work building housing, hope, and community for the wellbeing of Latinxs, immigrants, and all families in need. Today, they serve over 2,500 of our neighbors with housing, resource fairs, know your rights trainings, rental assistance, and eviction prevention. I have a special place in my heart for all the organizations in the region who work to provide homes for our neighbors!
My Learning Journey Continues
This month I…
Met with the Oregon Media Production Association to learn about the opportunities and challenges facing film and commercial workers.
Met with the Reser Performing Arts Center, which just happens to be in District 2! I’ve attended some great shows and events there. Did you know they have had over 230,000 people through their doors in their first five years? Wowza!
Toured Touchmark in the West Hills, a beautiful neighborhood for the 55 and better that offers memory care and a very fun community—also in District 2!
Met with the Washington County Haulers Association. We talked about what impacts their final costs to customers, the prevalence of batteries mistakenly placed in garbage, and textile recycling.
Met with the Treekeepers of Washington County. I learned a lot about their advocacy across the region and their deep desire for more trees to benefit everyone.
Met with TriMet Director Kim about what they are facing financially. I’m hopeful the legislature is able to support our public transit infrastructure during the long session in 2027. I’ve lived within walking distance to a Max station most of my life and am forever appreciative of this infrastructure that helps people get to work, school, and play!
Attended a recent Board of Commissioners meeting where they discussed the County’s implementation of the Moderate Income Revolving Loan Fund (MIRL). MIRL is a $55 million funding tool administered by Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS). Excited to see where this goes!
Met with Washington County staff to discuss next legislative session priorities, federal grants, and the upcoming budget forecast.
Me at the Washington County Public Service Building where official Board of Director meetings are held. I’ve been there quite a bit this month!
Save the date!
January 5, 9 am will be my swearing in. I’d love to see you there!