PRIORITIES
As your next Washington County Commissioner for District 2, my goal is to bring people together, ask tough questions, and make sure county government is working for everyone, from Banks to Tigard to Reedville. Washington County is home to over 600,000 people, with 16 cities and nearly 200,000 neighbors living in unincorporated areas.
So, what does a Washington County Commissioner do?
The county is responsible for a wide range of essential services: maintaining roads, running the sheriff’s department, managing Hagg Lake, setting garbage rates, overseeing land use and growth, and providing social services for some of our most overlooked populations: seniors, veterans, and people with disabilities.
Washington County is home to over 600,000 people, with 16 cities and nearly 200,000 neighbors living in unincorporated areas. The county employs over 2,600 staff: sheriff’s deputies, nurses, road crews, court clerks, animal shelter staff, and more who provide the services we all rely on every day. The county also works alongside several special service districts, including fire departments, utilities, school boards, and parks districts, to keep our community running smoothly.
The five-member Board of Commissioners sets the direction for all of this work. Commissioners establish values and priorities, ensure staff are responsive and innovative, and so much more. It’s a challenge, but it’s also an incredible opportunity and privilege to serve such a diverse and growing area.
Neighbors know me as someone who doesn’t just talk about problems: I go out and see them for myself. I’m known for getting into the weeds when it matters, whether it’s tackling parking ordinances on new builds, bringing local leaders together to learn about the impact of statewide and federal decisions on our local budgets, or understanding tree canopy requirements around urban growth. That’s the kind of commissioner I’ll be: approachable, hands-on, and committed to making sure everyone has a voice.
Learn about some of my priorities for Washington County here:
Community-Centered Problem Solving
County government should be transparent, accessible, and rooted in the community. Too often, people don’t know where to turn with their questions—or they feel like their input doesn’t matter. I want to change that.
Open Communication: As your next Commissioner, I’ll start a regular newsletter and host joint town halls that bring together different levels of government, so neighbors can get their questions answered without worrying about whose job it is. I will also knock doors outside of election cycles to find out what’s important to the community.
Listening and Acting: When I was at THPRD, I visited all 100+ parks during our award-winning community visioning process, then turned that feedback into concrete results, including new restrooms and a community-driven levy.
Collaborative Leadership: During COVID, I co-founded a biweekly convening of local elected officials including city leaders, legislators, and school board members so we could coordinate and problem-solve in brand new territory together.
Accessible Budgeting: At THPRD, we won awards for a budget that was accessible and clear. I will take those lessons learned - of ensuring complex spreadsheets are digestible - to the second biggest county in the state with our $2 million budget. This will empower our constituents to weigh in with their priorities—and I’ll make sure that feedback is actually used in shaping the budget.
I’ve built a reputation for being approachable, detail-oriented, and responsive, whether that means putting my direct email address online, working across jurisdictions to solve problems, or walking a soccer field myself to check safety issues.
Housing & Homelessness
Everyone deserves a safe, stable place to call home. Washington County has made important progress, but we still face big challenges.
Affordable Housing: On the THPRD board, I led the effort to jump into this issue and waive our fees for new affordable housing projects, removing a major barrier to construction. That decision helped 450+ units (and counting!) get built in Washington County at lower cost.
Smart Growth: As Vice Chair of the Washington County Planning Commission, we make recommendations on ordinances for unincorporated portions of the county. I balance protecting our wetlands and natural resources with the need to grow and welcome new neighbors. We can - and must - do both.
Keeping Our Neighbors Housed: As a member of Metro’s Supportive Housing Services Committee, I’ve worked to prevent evictions, expand shelter beds, and keep our most vulnerable community members stably housed. Between July 2024 and June 2025, in Washington County alone, these services have resulted in:
Almost 2,000 people receiving care in a shelter
3,000+ people receiving one-time eviction prevention payments
2,679 formerly homeless folks have received ongoing rental assistance
383 shelter beds funded
Homelessness is a complex problem, but it’s less overwhelming when each level of government does its part. I’ve shown I can make local systems more responsive, and I’ll keep fighting for practical solutions that keep people housed.
Public Safety & Community Well-Being
Public safety is about more than responding to emergencies; it’s about preventing harm and making sure everyone feels secure in their daily lives.
Prevention: People who are housed, fed, and have their needs met are less likely to commit crimes. Investing in social services and prevention now reduces the need for costly interventions later.
Mental Health Response: Many crises don’t require handcuffs. They require care. We must continue to invest in our mental health response teams so everyone has someone they feel safe calling in a crisis.
Everyone Deserves to Feel Safe: Washington County employs sheriff’s deputies, court staff, mental health professionals, and so many more folks that are part of the justice system. I bring empathy for everyone involved, including those who have committed crimes. I believe each and every one of our community members deserve to feel safe.
We can see it in the wildfires, extreme heat, and shifting seasons: the impacts of climate change are already here. Washington County must lead with practical, forward-looking solutions that keep people safe and protect the place we call home.
Climate & Sustainability
Countywide Accountability: Every county department should have a climate plan, with clear goals and progress reports. In partnerships with the cities within, the county should create a space to share strategies, troubleshoot challenges, and celebrate successes.
Resilient Communities: When I was at THPRD, I secured the district’s first ever federal funding to upgrade the HVAC system at Cedar Hills Rec Center, preparing it to serve as a wildfire shelter. That’s the kind of forward-thinking action we need countywide to protect our community.
Sustainable Growth: As we expand housing and transportation, we must protect wetlands, tree canopies, and natural resources. Thoughtful land use means planning for both people and the environment.
Climate action is about keeping families safe, protecting our natural beauty, and making sure our county remains livable for generations to come.