Andrew Scott for Zone 1

In his first term on the School Board, Director Scott has built his relationship with PAT and learned to view us as a partner. He is a strong advocate for increased  funding and new funding models for public schools, and is ready to join us in Salem to fight for it. In his endorsement interview he told us, “[The] $9.9 billion [that Governor Kotek is proposing for the state education budget] is not a win, it’s a cut.” This endorsement is a commitment to partner with him to keep that promise moving forward.

Michelle DePass for Zone 2

Director DePass has demonstrated tremendous growth in her four years on the School Board. She regularly reaches out to PAT for feedback, both about issues teachers are dealing with and for constructive criticism about her own leadership. We appreciate that openness and look forward to continuing to work with her in her second term.

Eddie Wang for Zone 7

Eddie was a teacher for 20 years, including at Benson Polytechnic High School 

in PPS. He knows what it’s like in the trenches and is ready to center teacher voices. Eddie has a deep understanding of the importance of academic freedom, authentic community engagement, and holding district leadership accountable.  We look forward to working with him to build great public schools for all students.

CITY COUNCIL POSITION 3: JO ANN HARDESTY

In her first term on Portland City Council, Jo Ann Hardesty has been a fierce advocate for programs that improve the lives of Portland residents, including PAT members and PPS families. She has taken the lead on programs like the Portland Street Response, and on improving transportation with a focus on underserved areas like East Portland.

MULTNOMAH COUNTY CHAIR: JESSICA VEGA PEDERSON

There are several highly qualified candidates in the race for Multnomah County Chair, including incumbent County Commissioners Sharon Meieran and Lori Stegmann, who have been solid allies to educators. However, Commissioner Jessica Vega Peterson stood out, in large part because of her work on making the Preschool for All program a reality. She is a strong voice for public education, housing, and a just economic recovery from the covid pandemic, and is ready to partner with educators to improve services to all children.

HOUSE DISTRICT 28: DACIA GRAYBER

Dacia Grayber is a firefighter, union member, and PPS parent. Dacia comes from a family of teachers and union supporters, and has repeatedly demonstrated her impeccable union values. In her first term in the Oregon legislature, she has been a strong advocate for working people, and we look forward to continuing that work with her.

HOUSE DISTRICT 33: MAXINE DEXTER

Maxine Dexter is a Pulmonary and Critical Care doctor, a first-generation college graduate, and a PPS parent. Having grown up lacking resources, she attributes her own success to her public school teachers, and to a union job which allowed her to fund her own education. In Salem, she is a powerful advocate for public health and affordable health care, revenue reform to fully fund public services, and labor rights. 

HOUSE DISTRICT 43: TAWNA SANCHEZ

Representative Tawna Sanchez is a lifelong advocate for her community, and her commitment to public education makes her an asset in the Oregon House. She is a champion for Indiginous families as a co-founder of Native American Youth and Family Services (NAYA), and has proven her dedication to young people by serving as a foster parent to more than 18 children. She will continue to work tirelessly to make sure our underserved students’ perspectives are heard in Salem.

HOUSE DISTRICT 44: TRAVIS NELSON

There are two very strong candidates in this race, and North Portland will be lucky to be represented by either of them. That said, Travis Nelson, a leader in the Oregon Nurses Association, stands out for his strong union values. In his first term in office, he has already shown his support for Portland teachers: He was a leader in the effort to push back against the district’s proposed staffing cuts by helping to collect signatures from his fellow members of the BIPOC caucus. We look forward to continuing to work with Rep Nelson on this and other issues.

HOUSE DISTRICT 45: THUY TRAN

This is another race with two excellent candidates, but optometrist Thuy Tran has earned our endorsement. A former member of the Parkrose School Board, she has an excellent grasp of the current issues in education. We expect her to be an effective advocate in Salem for educators, as well as for the diverse community of Northeast Portland.

HOUSE DISTRICT 46: KHANH PHAM

As a long-time community advocate, Khanh Pham believes that the best policy work is accomplished with input from our communities. She is a working mom, a PPS parent, and a relentless advocate for the diverse communities of the Jade District. In Salem, she is a leader in Oregon's transition to a renewable economy, and will fight for the revenue reform we need to build a more just society.

SENATE DISTRICT 17: ELIZABETH STEINER HAYWARD

As a practicing family medicine physician, Sen Steiner Hayward has long been committed to improving access to affordable healthcare. She sees how issues like healthcare, education, racial justice, housing, and climate are all interconnected, and works to bridge all gaps so that Oregon can be the healthiest state in the US.