Primary Election Date: 05/15/2012
General Election Date: 11/06/2012

Who Am I?

I am a native Oregonian who has committed much of my life to serving my community. I have successfully balanced family, career and community service. I understand first-hand the struggles facing families in this economy.
I picked strawberries as a young girl and later earned college degrees funded by loans, scholarships, and job earnings after my father passed away my freshman year. After graduating from the University of Oregon in English I obtained a Master’s degree in sociology at Washington State University. My doctorate in sociology of education (Ed.D.) at UCLA focused on interracial group process. I worked at UCLA in several administrative positions including planning for large construction projects, supervising employees, and overseeing millions of dollars in expenditures. I taught classes on women’s careers at UCLA and on introductory sociology and minority relations at community colleges
Having raised two boys as a single mom, I know what it’s like to work full time while making sure my kids thrive. When I returned to Oregon, I worked at Oregon Health and Science University as a faculty member and Director of Education for the Public Health and Preventive Medicine department. Recently retired, I continue to be active with local and statewide groups that promote the success of children and youth.
I know that independent leaders and bipartisan solutions are needed to protect our schools, our communities and our families. I am an accomplished leader who has impacted Washington County as a volunteer. As Past Chair of the Washington County Commission on Children and Families, I coordinated the development of the county’s Comprehensive Community Plan. This plan addresses education, juveniles, housing, volunteering, seniors, libraries, foster care, child care, and food programs. These issues affect every citizen in the county.
As an active member of the Oregon Public Health Association I chaired their health policy committee involvement in legislative advocacy and then served as President. Other leadership activities included service on the board of the Northwest Regional Education Service District.
As liaison from the County Commission on Children and Families to the county Juvenile Crime Prevention subcommittee for many years and as a member of the Governor’s State Agency Team on Juvenile Crime Prevention, I promoted programs that emphasized prevention and early intervention with youth to help them grow into productive citizens. I also helped organize community programs on Latina domestic violence and incorporated the topic of domestic violence into my Women’s Health class. I now serve on the United Way Domestic Violence Prevention Mobilization Team and the board of Hillsboro Empowers Youth.
My dedication to citizen involvement has led to service on the steering committee of the Washington County Citizen Action Network and opposition to a liquefied natural gas pipeline going through some of Oregon’s forests and best farmland. I am also a member of the Washington County Children’s Opportunity Fund Initiative.
I am strongly pro-choice and support Planned Parenthood and NARAL. I serve on the board of the Oregon Foundation for Reproductive Health, which promotes planning for pregnancies and women’s health.

Why Am I Running?

My district is currently represented by an anti-choice, Tea Party conference sponsor. Community members are not heard unless they hold that same ideology and their emails and phone calls are not returned. My leadership experience with service organizations has allowed me to advocate for children and families who have little or no voice in the community and I would like to help them on a larger scale as a State Representative. Experience as a faculty member and recognized leader in public health would also make my advocacy valuable on health issues. Oregon needs representatives who will stand up to the big money interests who advocate for the 1%. I am a strong advocate who will provide that voice with perseverance.

Hold Me Accountable!

We need to stimulate investment in people to build a thriving economy that will support assistance for those who cannot support themselves. The dignity of being self-supporting is desired by most people. I will take the following actions:
• Introduce legislation that will stimulate small business hiring including providing incentives for businesses to hire people who are unemployed and live in the community.
• Review current state and federal tax exemptions that could be discontinued to maximize revenue for schools and needed human services.

My DFA values:

My campaign embodies DFA values by focusing on grassroots contact with every voter in the district. I am currently walking and seeking to talk with every registered voter. I am responsive to everyone who contacts me. I have a long history of advocating for the protection of those who are vulnerable and who have been exploited and seek to implement strategies and programs that will benefit and empower them over time.

My Campaign is People-Powered!

I have already personally walked to over 2,970 doors and collected information on issues of importance to the district. These issues are highlighted in my monthly neighborhood newsletter and in opinion pieces submitted to local newspapers. I authored an article on the education crisis that was published in a local newspaper and is included on my website: http://www.katieriley.org
A small business advisory committee has been formed to advise me on removing barriers and providing incentives to promote job growth in the community.
I attend community events and local city and school organizations regularly where I listen and seek out information on concerns and areas of success.
As I walk, attend neighborhood meetings and meet with small business owners, I am always reminded of the diversity which exists in Washington County and the needs of the various communities I hope to represent.