Press Releases

Former Gov. Barbara Roberts joins dozens of prominent state and local leaders endorsing Jessica Vega Pederson for Multnomah County Chair

September 21, 2021

Former Governor Barbara Roberts has joined dozens of prominent state and local leaders endorsing Jessica Vega Pederson for Multnomah County Chair. Vega Pederson’s impressive list of endorsers reflects her record of collaborative and committed public service and a clear vision for the future. Since announcing her campaign earlier this month, Vega Pederson has earned the support of leaders across the county and state — everyone from Portland City Commissioner Carmen Rubio to Oregon Labor Commissioner Val Hoyle to thousands of frontline workers at UFCW Local 555. “From school board to County Commission to Governor, I’ve served at nearly every level of Oregon government,” said Roberts, who served as a Multnomah County Commissioner before going on to become Oregon’s first woman Governor. “I know first hand that meaningful change is driven locally. Jessica Vega Pederson shares that belief and works to make it happen. She’s a true champion for our community and that is why I believe she’s the right person to lead Multnomah County into a new chapter as County Chair.” As the County Commissioner for District 3 since 2016, Vega Pederson has been a progressive champion for her community and has successfully passed landmark policies, including Preschool for All and a 100% Clean Energy resolution. Vega Pederson got her start in public service in 2012 when she became the first Latina elected to the Oregon House of Representatives. In the legislature, she championed the renewal of the Clean Fuels Program and Paid Sick Time for All. Vega Pederson’s record of fighting for working families helped her to earn the endorsements of UFCW Local 555. The union represents thousands of frontline essential workers who serve Multnomah County, including grocery, retail, manufacturing, and healthcare workers. "Jessica is a tireless champion for Oregon workers both on the job and in our communities," said Thomas Mosher, Government Affairs Director for UFCW Local 555. "We always know that we can count on Jessica to fight for what's right, and she has shown up and spoken out for our frontline essential workers throughout the pandemic. She's the leader we trust to deliver real change for working families.” Vega Pederson’s full list of endorsers is below: Former Gov. Barbara Roberts Oregon Secretary of State Shemia Fagan Oregon Labor Commissioner Val Hoyle Oregon House Speaker Tina Kotek UFCW Local 555 Reynolds School Board Member Ana Gonzalez Muñoz Portland City Commissioner Carmen Rubio Portland Public Schools Superintendent Guadalupe Guerrero Multnomah Education Service District Chair Jessica Arzate Mt. Hood Community College Board Chair Annette Mattson Metro Chair Lynn Peterson Metro Councilor Juan Carlos González David Douglas School Board Hoa Nguyen Portland Public School Board Chair Michelle DePass David Douglas School Board Member Stephanie Stephens Former House Majority Leader Jennifer Williamson Former State Representative Alissa Keny-Guyer State Representative Andrea Valderrama State Representative Courtney Neron State Representative Dacia Grayber State Representative Khanh Pham State Representative Karin Power State Senator Kayse Jama State Representative Teresa Alonso León Washington County Chair Kathryn Harrington Washington County Commissioner Pam Treece Meyer Memorial Trust CIO Rukaiyah Adams City of Roses Disposal & Recycling owner Alando Simpson Community leader Ashton Simpson Community leader Candace Avalos Community leader Duncan Hwang Community leader Ernesto Fonseca Community leader Sarah Iannarone Business leader Tom Kelly Community leader Tony DeFalco Jessica Vega Pederson and her husband Aaron live in East Portland in the Hazelwood neighborhood where they are raising their two children. She is currently the Multnomah County Commissioner for District 3, serving southeast Portland between SE Cesar Chavez Boulevard and SE 148th Avenue. ####