Clackamas, Multnomah and Washington County Commissioners to select Senate District 18 replacement

November 22, 2021

Following the resignation of State Senator Ginny Burdick on October 31, 2021 from the Oregon State Senate, Clackamas County, Multnomah County and Washington County Commissioners will hold a joint virtual meeting on Monday November 29, 2021 at noon to interview candidates and select a replacement for the open position.

Oregon law requires that a legislative vacancy be filled by county commissioners representing the district in which the vacancy exists. Senate District 18 includes voters in Clackamas, Multnomah and Washington counties. The district includes portions of the cities of Portland and Tigard.

Since Senator Burdick was a registered Democrat, Oregon law provides for the state Democratic Party to nominate three to five residents of the district to be considered for the vacancy. The Democratic Party of Oregon has nominated:

  • Real estate developer and former Oregon State Representative Akasha Lawrence Spence
  • Healthcare administrator Sarah Lemley
  • Family physician Martin Mendelson

The meeting will be held virtually via zoom and broadcast live at: https://www.youtube.com/multcoboard. Members of the public are welcome to attend and up to 20 minutes are provided for public comment. To sign up to testify visit: https://www.multco.us/multnomah-county/about-board-meetings/testimony. The meeting agenda provides time for the candidates to make statements and for commissioners to ask questions of the candidates.

For more information, members of the media and public may contact: