Currently holds the office of Oregon House of Representatives - District 43 until January 13, 2025.
Candidate for Oregon House of Representatives - District 43 in 2024 Oregon General Election.
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Get StartedTawna knows that our community has changed. Over half of the children who live in district 43 are from diverse communities of color, including the immigrant and refugee community. Tawna is committed to bringing all of the voices of her district to the table and inviting the folks with deep expertise in their communities to help create the solutions. Learn more
Oregon has taken important steps to curtail mandatory minimums and cut recidivism, but there is more work to do. We must continue the work to stop racial profiling and the unnecessary use of force by law enforcement. Everyone in our community must receive fair and equal treatment under the law. Learn more
A good education is the foundation for a better future, but too many of our students are struggling to succeed in our schools. Tawna will push hard to raise achievement, particularly for students of color, students living in poverty, and students still learning the English language. That includes full funding for schools, smaller class sizes, and more professional development so that teachers can adapt to students’ needs. Learn more
Climate change is the greatest threat to our future – Oregon must lead the way to a carbon-free future. We also must do more to reduce air pollution and diesel emissions that are compromising the health of children, families, and the elderly living in North and Northeast Portland. Learn more
Big contributors have too much influence over our political system. Tawna will support limits on campaign contributions and creating a publicly financed elections so that people without access to rich donors can still run for office. Learn more
Tawna will push our state to make long-term investments in affordable housing that equitable, inclusive, and reach all parts of our community. She has worked to create affordable homeownership opportunities and low-income rental properties that serve victims of domestic violence, elders, and families. She understands how state-level policies can help and hurt communities if they are not created in partnership with the community. Learn more
In addition to her hands on expertise, Tawna will work with our elder community to create a vision for broader policy reforms that best support the needs of our growing elder populations. Learn more
CREATING AN ACCOUNTABLE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES Our most vulnerable community members deserve an inclusive government that is responsive and accountable to meeting the needs of children in foster care, families in crisis, and people living with disabilities. Learn more
Working to improve outcomes in our child welfare system remains a priority, as well as pushing for a more thoughtful and fair criminal justice system, and building our behavioral health workforce for youth, which I hope to do with the recent passage of legislation to support bringing additional mental health services into our schools. Learn more
She knows that creating shared prosperity requires dedication and a commitment to collaboration. Tawna will work closely with local businesses, unions, non-profit organizations and community groups to create better opportunities for workers stuck in low-wage jobs. She will push for a higher minimum wage and strong protections for workers’ rights. Learn more
View your personalized ballot, check your voter registration, make a plan to vote, and research every name and measure on the ballot with BallotReady.