Meet Jennifer

Why Vote for Jennifer?

We are seeing a lack of integrity in Milwaukie campaigns this year. Two candidates are breaking spending records and taking big money from outside investors and special interest groups, knocking on every door, creating division, and sending out several expensive mailers to create a false narrative of City failure and the need to aggressively increase housing construction. Gentrification in the name of affordability will hurt current Milwaukie residents. Now is not the time for politics as usual. Now is the time to stand up with longtime local leaders to unapologetically push back and advocate for the residents of Milwaukie!

Recognized for her consistent attendance at City Council meetings over the past two years, Jennifer has earned a reputation as Milwaukie’s “Unofficial City Councilor.” Her deep engagement with the city led one Councilor to encourage her to run for office, followed by the endorsement of the rest of the Council.

But ultimately, Jennifer’s decision to run began with three simple questions: “What is my local government doing to protect and provide for my neighbors and all residents?” After two years of attending meetings, volunteering, serving on community boards, and working alongside neighbors, she saw serving on Council as the next meaningful way to contribute. Running a campaign fueled by friends and neighbors, she is now ready to bring her experience, perspective, and commitment into the public service work that leads Milwaukie forward.

Beyond civic engagement, Jennifer is a longtime community advocate whose diverse experience spans working as a bilingual public school teacher, managing rental properties, writing grants, and directing nonprofit operations. After being widowed ten years ago, she navigated the challenges of raising three young children as a single parent while remaining actively engaged in her community. Through those experiences, she has developed a reputation for being consistent, reliable, and resourceful - a creative problem solver with the dedication, ethics, morality, and heart that benefit our community.

How Will Jennifer Lead?

Milwaukie is a truly special place where residents care deeply for one another and the health of this community - Jennifer sees this. We love Milwaukie and that is why we live here.

This site’s Priorities page details Jennifer’s project ideas. While she is always exploring practical solutions for Milwaukie’s evolving needs, her approach to city governance is grounded in three core principles: Safety, Affordability, and Stability.

- Safety: A vision of prioritizing pedestrian and bicycle safety throughout neighborhoods, supporting social service collaborations, utilizing existing county shelters and treatment facilities while expanding care as able, filling public transportation gaps, strengthening emergency preparedness, and ensuring community resilience.

- Affordability: A commitment to provide more affordable housing, generate revenue through new sources (to minimize burden on residents), find ways for big business to pay their share of infrastructure needs, increase homeownership opportunities, evaluate utility rate structures to assist residents under financial pressure, demand fiscal analysis of state policy impacts on cities, and fill public transportation gaps.

- Stability: A plan for a balanced budget, public gathering spaces in each neighborhood, more bathrooms in parks, ease of connection to city leaders, increase government transparency, strong small businesses with local employment opportunities, providing higher-wage jobs, a city-wide tourism program, and shift to more affordable and efficient renewables-based energy systems.

Community Involvement & Credentials

Jennifer is not new to public service - she is already doing the work. Her current and recent community involvement includes:

- Historic Milwaukie Neighborhood Association (HMNDA) Secretary

- Clackamas County Community Action Board (CAB) Member

- Rotary Club of Milwaukie Member

- St. John’s the Evangelist Feed the Hungry Volunteer

- Elected Precinct Committee Person (PCP)

- City of Milwaukie Audit Committee Alternate

- OSU Metro Master Gardener

- Non-profit Grant Writer, Board Member, Media Coordinator, Secretary

- Spanish Translator & Interpreter

- School Teacher, Substitute, Volunteer

- Parent of Three Children in Milwaukie Public Schools

- Participant in Public Meetings & Committees: Downtown Alliance of Milwaukie (DAM), Housing Town Hall Series, Clackamas County Commission, Climate Action Committee (CAC), Rotary’s Sustainability Fair, Rotary’s (upcoming) Peace Symposium

Jennifer continues to work to earn your vote as she stands unapologetically to keep Milwaukie in the hands of residents and carry forward the powerful work of so many dedicated volunteers and leaders.

Thank you for being here and thank you for being our neighbor!