PORTLAND (Diya TV) – Multnomah County Commissioner Susheela Jayapal officially resigned from her position to run for Oregon’s 3rd Congressional District. The move comes following the retirement announcement of longtime U.S. Rep. Earl Blumenauer, creating a significant opportunity in this safe Democratic seat.
Jayapal is the first candidate to declare a run for this congressional district.
As a county commissioner, Jayapal championed causes related to immigration refugee services, racial justice programs, homelessness prevention policies, and eviction defense support.
In Congress, she aims to prioritize issues like gun control, access to abortion, LGBTQ+ civil rights, and combating climate change.
Her sister is well known Indian American Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal, chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus.
Jayapal’s decision to run for Congress has set in motion a series of changes at the county level. She has resigned from her county commissioner role, as per county charter rules that require commissioners to step down if they run for another political office before the final year of their term. In her place, she has designated Jesse Beason, the president and CEO of the Northwest Health Foundation.
Beason, who has an extensive background in both the nonprofit and public sectors, plans to continue the work initiated by Jayapal. Beason’s tenure as commissioner for District 2 is set to begin immediately, and a special election in May will decide the long-term successor to fill Jayapal’s seat.
Jayapal’s pursuit of the congressional seat leaves her with no immediate competitors, making her the frontrunner in the race to represent Oregon’s 3rd Congressional District. State Rep. Travis Nelson and Gresham City Council Eddy Morales are also considering entering the race.
