Posted
UPDATE:
Stream the full meeting from the Washington County YouTube channel using this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gLnZ1Btxzt8
ORIGINAL RELEASE:
The Multnomah County and Washington County Boards of Commissioners held a joint session on Wednesday, December 15, appointing Mari Watanabe to fill a vacant seat for Oregon House District 34. Watanabe will fill the seat vacated by former Oregon Representative Lisa Reynolds who was appointed in November 2024 to fill a vacant seat in the Oregon Senate.
Oregon House District 34 includes the communities of Bethany, Oak Hills, Cedar Mill, and parts of Beaverton and Hillsboro.
Watanabe has lived in the Portland Metro area for over two decades. She spent 25 years working for several apparel manufacturers before serving as the first executive director of the Japanese Museum of Oregon in 2008. Watanabe later joined the Portland Business Alliance, serving as both the director of Leadership Portland and executive director of Partners in Diversity for over 11 years.
She has also served on several boards and commissions, including the Portland Community College Board of Directors, Oregon Commission on Asian and Pacific Islander Affairs, the Beaverton Diversity Advisory Board, the City Club of Portland and the National Veterans Network.
Watanabe was one of three candidates considered for the position including Sarah Beachy, a nonprofit administrator and public policy professional, and Alexandria Goddard, a legislative director for members of both the Oregon House and Senate. The boards of Washington and Multnomah counties unanimously voted to appoint Watanabe to the position.
Watanabe will serve the remainder of Reynold’s term in the House, ending in January 2027.
Oregon law requires that a legislative vacancy be filled by county commissioners representing the district in which the vacancy exists. Legislative appointments must be made from the same political party as the previous legislator.
Contacts:
Philip Bransford, Communications Officer, Washington County Administrative Office, 503-846-8685, [email protected]
Julie Sullivan-Springhetti, Multnomah County Communications Director, 503-502-2741, [email protected]