Susheela Jayapal steps down from Multnomah County Board to run for Congress

Multnomah County Commissioner Susheela Jayapal is stepping down from office to pursue a run for Congress.

Jayapal, 60, is the first candidate to announce her run for Oregon’s 3rd Congressional District since its longtime leader Rep. Earl Blumenauer announced his retirement Monday. A Democrat who represents North and Northeast Portland on the county board, Jayapal said she believes the moment calls for her to enter the race.

“I truly believe this is a pivotal time for the district, for the state, for the country in so many different ways,” Jayapal told OPB. “We came through the pandemic, and where we have landed is in a place where there is more divisiveness than before. At the same time, we’ve got these challenges here locally where we need federal action and federal help.”

Oregon’s 3rd District stretches from inner Portland to Hood River and is considered one of the safest Democratic seats in the U.S. House.

Jayapal believes her pragmatic approach to governance is right for the job, despite having only four years of experience in politics. If elected, she’d be in rare company serving alongside her younger sister, Pramila Jayapal, who is a member of the U.S. House from Washington state and chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus.

Jayapal was elected to represent District 2 on the county board in 2019, making her the first Indian American to win an elected county office in Oregon. She won a re-election campaign last year. Before joining the board, Jayapal worked as a corporate lawyer, most recently working as the general counsel for Adidas America.