Lawyer Marisha Childs Joins Race for Commissioner Jules Bailey's Multnomah County Seat

She pledges to work with city and state officials to build more affordable housing.

By Beth Slovic

Marisha Childs, an elder and family lawyer, is the latest candidate in a crowded field seeking to replace Multnomah County Commissioner Jules Bailey.

A member of Emerge Oregon's class of 2012, Childs brings experience working as an attorney for youth and the elderly to the campaign.

In a press release, Childs says she'd focus on three priorities if elected: reducing food insecurity, especially among children; improving mental-health care for senior citizens; and working with city and state officials to build more affordable housing.

Bailey, of course, is running for Portland mayor.

Childs faces Mel Rader, executive director of Upstream Public Health; Eric Zimmerman, chief of staff to Commissioner Diane McKeel; Dr. Sharon Meieran; and businessman Brian Wilson, who ran against Bailey in 2014.

Gwen Sullivan, president of the Portland Association of Teachers union, had previously mulled a bid but decided not to join the race.

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