Jessica Vega Pederson is Making History at Multnomah County

Five things you didn't know about the newest county commissioner.

Two Multnomah County Commission contests appear on the November ballot. But the third new member of the county board is already set: State Rep. Jessica Vega Pederson (D-Portland) ran unopposed in May to fill the seat of Multnomah County Commissioner Judy Shiprack, who's been term-limited out.

Here are five things to know about Vega Pederson.

1. She was the first Latina elected to the Oregon House.

Vega Pederson, 41, earned that distinction when she won the East Portland seat formerly occupied by Jefferson Smith. "It was such an honor," Vega Pederson says of her breakthrough. "It was also a shame that it took until 2012."

2. She will be only the fifth person of color to be elected to the Multnomah County Commission.

The first was Gladys McCoy, who won office in 1978.

3. Her first job in Oregon was in the deli at the Safeway near the Portland Art Museum.

After moving to Portland from Indiana in 1996, she held the job for just six days before moving to a new one at a computer lab at Portland State University. That job launched her on a career in computer technology, including a stint at Microsoft.

4. She got her political start in 2004 with the local chapter of the Sierra Club.

As chairwoman of the political committee that endorsed candidates for elected office, Vega Pederson in 2004 interviewed newbie candidates like Sam Adams and Tina Kotek. "It was such a good experience," she says now. "It humanized the entire world of politics."

5. She's a self-declared sci-fi geek.

She's watched the Joss Whedon TV series Firefly three times.

Willamette Week

Willamette Week’s reporting has concrete impacts that change laws, force action from civic leaders, and drive compromised politicians from public office. Support WW's journalism today.