Anna Lee Williams

[{"question": "Video for Ballotpedia", "answer_html": "<div style=\"float:left\">\n<table cellpadding=\"5\" cellspacing=\"0\" class=\"wikitable\" width=\"205\">\n<tbody><tr>\n<td><div class=\"thumb embedvideo autoResize\" style=\"width: 258px;\"><!--\n--><div class=\"embedvideo autoResize\" style=\"\"><!--\n--><div class=\"embedvideowrap youtube\" style=\"width: 250px\"><iframe allow=\"accelerometer; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" frameborder=\"0\" height=\"141\" loading=\"lazy\" modestbranding=\"1\" src=\"//www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/Ivyk8xNH2_g\" width=\"250\"></iframe></div><!--\n--></div><!--\n--></div><span style=\"font-size:80%\">Video submitted to Ballotpedia<br/>Released April 17, 2020</span>\n</td></tr></tbody></table></div>\n<div style=\"clear:both;\"></div>", "answer_text": "Video submitted to Ballotpedia Released April 17, 2020"}, {"question": "Ballotpedia survey responses", "answer_html": "<p>See also: <a href=\"/Ballotpedia%27s_Candidate_Connection\">Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection</a></p>\n<div class=\"row\"><div class=\"col-xs-10 col-md-6 col-xs-offset-1 col-md-offset-3\"><p><a href=\"https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia%27s_Candidate_Connection\"><img align=\"middle\" alt=\"Candidate Connection\" src=\"https://cdn.ballotpedia.org/images/8/88/Candidate_Connection_Logo.png\" width=\"90%\"/></a></p></div></div>\n<p>Anna Williams completed <a href=\"/Ballotpedia%27s_Candidate_Connection\">Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection</a> survey in 2020. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Williams' responses.</p>\n<p><span class=\"expand-all\">Expand all</span> | <span class=\"collapse-all\">Collapse all</span></p>\n<div aria-multiselectable=\"true\" class=\"panel-group\" id=\"accordion\" role=\"tablist\"><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-bio-78524-2020-05-09\" id=\"heading-bio-78524-2020-05-09\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse-bio-78524-2020-05-09\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-bio-78524-2020-05-09\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWho are you? Tell us about yourself.\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading-bio-78524-2020-05-09\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse-bio-78524-2020-05-09\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tI'm a rural, progressive Democrat running for re-election to continue representing Oregon's 52nd House District in our State Legislature. I'm an academic advisor, a social worker, and a mom to two wonderful boys. I grew up in Wyoming, went to college in Kansas, and spent a few years working in Montana before moving to Oregon in 2007 to raise my family. \n<p>I'm passionate about social justice and making sure that every person in our communities has the things they need to survive and thrive. I love our environment, our beautiful state, and my community. My life's work has been centered around achieving positive outcomes for others, and I'm committed to serving for the greater good of my district. \n</p><p>I've always wanted to run for office, but I made the decision to do so in 2016 after seeing all of the injustices our communities were facing both nationally and in my own backyard. So many families were hurting and struggling at the mercy of inequality. I decided our community needed a representative who would seek to understand the needs of all of its members and work to advance their interests in Salem. \n</p>\n</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-key-message-78524-2020-05-09\" id=\"heading-key-message-78524-2020-05-09\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse-key-message-78524-2020-05-09\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-key-message-78524-2020-05-09\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tPlease list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading-key-message-78524-2020-05-09\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse-key-message-78524-2020-05-09\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\"><ul><li>I support a middle class economy and small business. I've partnered with businesses to bring sustainable high paying jobs to rural communities across Oregon. In Salem, I will continue to protect District 52's small business and agriculture economy, which includes carefully managing development to preserve our quality of life. When the economy reopens, I will work to help support small businesses so they are able to fully recover. I will continue to ensure corporations pay their fair share and will continue to stand for living wages and affordable housing for all Oregonians.</li><li>I will continue to advocate to keep healthcare accessible and affordable to all Oregonians. To keep healthcare affordable, I support the state's Medicaid expansion and lowering the price of care and prescription drugs. I will continue to defend women's access to reproductive healthcare. Now more than ever before, it's essential that legislators ensure that every Oregonian has access to affordable healthcare.</li><li> I am a passionate advocate for clean water, clear air, and protecting District 52's natural beauty, all of which is vital to our public health and economy. My work with Montana Conservation Voters showed me how a healthy environment is crucial for a healthy economy. I will continue to advocate for progressive environmental legislation that cuts carbon emissions and supports a thriving economy in my district.</li></ul></span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse1-78524-2020-05-09\" id=\"heading1-78524-2020-05-09\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse1-78524-2020-05-09\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse1-78524-2020-05-09\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading1-78524-2020-05-09\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse1-78524-2020-05-09\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tI'm passionate about domestic violence and child abuse prevention, something that stems from my experiences as a Social Worker, having worked at HAVEN from Domestic &amp; Sexual Violence and with Children's Advocacy Centers, which take a trauma-informed approach to supporting victims of child abuse and streamline the process of reporting abuse by eliminating added barriers often faced by victims. I've seen the difference between when a survivor of interpersonal violence gets the care they need and when they don't, and believe that ensuring our families have access to these high-quality resources is absolutely essential to the overall betterment and success of our state. <br/><br/>\nI'm also passionate about environmental and land use policy, which stems from my personal experiences having grown up in a rural community as well as from my time with environmental advocacy groups. There's a sense of urgency among our communities right now to pass legislation combating the climate crisis, which has already caused irreparable damage to our global ecosystems. There's clear evidence that we need to address climate change as our top priority. As we look to cut greenhouse gas emissions in the long-run, however, we need to be cognizant of the impacts that any policies passed may have on our vulnerable rural communities, agricultural communities, and the low-income families in our state. Our natural resources are a treasure and they must be protected. <br/></span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse2-78524-2020-05-09\" id=\"heading2-78524-2020-05-09\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse2-78524-2020-05-09\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse2-78524-2020-05-09\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading2-78524-2020-05-09\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse2-78524-2020-05-09\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tI'm straightforward, compassionate, and am not afraid to have difficult conversations with my colleagues, across the aisle, or within my community. My constituents have shared with me the appreciation they have for my honesty and accessibility; and they know that I look for real, tangible solutions to the problems they have every single day. I stand by my values, even when my colleagues disagree; and always keep the needs of my constituents close to heart when making decisions. <br/><br/>\nI have experience both as a legislator and as a true member of the community here in House District 52. My work as a mom, educator, and social worker keep me grounded; and the stories and experiences of my students and clients inform my work in Salem. My career has been spent serving others, and while we've made great progress over the past two years, I know there's still much to do to make our communities and state work for everyone. I'm committed to working for a more fair and prosperous future for the people of my district and of Oregon. \t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse3-78524-2020-05-09\" id=\"heading3-78524-2020-05-09\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse3-78524-2020-05-09\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse3-78524-2020-05-09\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading3-78524-2020-05-09\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse3-78524-2020-05-09\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tThe core responsibilities for someone elected to this office are to dutifully represent the community that elected them, and to show up to work and vote on legislation. I believe strongly that an elected representative is responsible for reaching out to community members, regardless of party affiliation, to learn about their priorities and concerns and to bring those concerns to the governing body in which they serve with integrity and honesty. \t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse4-78524-2020-05-09\" id=\"heading4-78524-2020-05-09\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse4-78524-2020-05-09\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse4-78524-2020-05-09\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading4-78524-2020-05-09\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse4-78524-2020-05-09\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tThe first historical event I can remember happened when in 1986 I was in Kindergarten. It was the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster that unfortunately killed teacher Christa McAuliffe and the others on board. I remember that I loved my Kindergarten teacher so much, and that I was incredibly grateful that she was not the teacher in the shuttle. I invited her to dinner at my house to celebrate her livelihood, which my mother still laughs about to this day!<br/></span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse5-78524-2020-05-09\" id=\"heading5-78524-2020-05-09\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse5-78524-2020-05-09\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse5-78524-2020-05-09\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat is your favorite book? Why?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading5-78524-2020-05-09\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse5-78524-2020-05-09\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\"><br/>\nMy favorite book is James &amp; The Giant Peach by Roald Dahl. I love this book because it explores family, friendships, adventure, imagination, and it has a very happy ending!<br/></span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse6-78524-2020-05-09\" id=\"heading6-78524-2020-05-09\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse6-78524-2020-05-09\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse6-78524-2020-05-09\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tDo you believe that it’s beneficial for state legislators to have previous experience in government or politics?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading6-78524-2020-05-09\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse6-78524-2020-05-09\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tAs an incumbent, I do think it's beneficial for state legislators to have previous experience in government or politics, and believe that my prior experience as a legislator will aid in my ability to effectively represent my community at our State Capitol. That said, a lack of experience shouldn't be a reason for disqualification or dismissal of someone's candidacy, so long as basic knowledge of government or politics and a willingness to learn and adapt is possessed. The most important and beneficial quality for state legislators to have is to share similar upbringings, values, and experiences with the community they are representing. Oregon has a citizen legislature, and with that, we're able to bring the voices of many different communities to the table to pass comprehensive legislation that works for all Oregonians. Career politicians, though very experienced, in many cases lack the grassroots connection needed to truly represent the ever-evolving needs of their constituents. \t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse7-78524-2020-05-09\" id=\"heading7-78524-2020-05-09\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse7-78524-2020-05-09\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse7-78524-2020-05-09\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tDo you believe it’s beneficial to build relationships with other legislators? Please explain your answer.\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading7-78524-2020-05-09\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse7-78524-2020-05-09\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tI absolutely think it's beneficial to build relationships with other legislators. As the Representative for House District 52, my priority will always be to serve and protect the interests of my community. Despite this, the policies I help pass with my community's best interest at heart are statewide, and in most cases will have implications for the rest of the state, where needs within the same sub-communities may differ from in my own district despite facing a similar, fundamental problem. Collaborating with other legislators is not only essential to getting good policy passed, it's the only way we can ensure that our most vulnerable community members do not slip through the cracks. I have learned that the best state-wide policies are passed when legislators around the state can come together and talk about the issues that the stakeholders in their community are facing and coming up with a policy that benefits those stakeholders throughout the state.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse8-78524-2020-05-09\" id=\"heading8-78524-2020-05-09\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse8-78524-2020-05-09\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse8-78524-2020-05-09\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tIf you are a current legislator, what appealed to you about your current committees?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading8-78524-2020-05-09\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse8-78524-2020-05-09\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tI love my current committees! I currently serve as Vice Chair of the House Human Services Committee, which creates human services policy and provides oversight of human service agencies. This committee allows me to use my perspective and expertise as a social worker and advocate for older adults and caregivers to lead on drafting and implementing strong housing and human services policy, with a focus on rural equity. I also serve on the House Agriculture &amp; Land Use Committee. This committee allows me to combine my passion for conservation (Oregon's Land Use system is a groundbreaking network of policies which support conservation and protection of agricultural lands) and my passion for affordable housing development, as well as to continue to deepen my relationships with the farmers, ranchers, farm workers, and other agricultural community members.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div></div>\n<div class=\"small\" data-nosnippet=\"\"><p><i><b>Note:</b> Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.</i></p></div>", "answer_text": "See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection\n\nAnna Williams completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2020. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Williams' responses.\nExpand all | Collapse all\nWho are you? Tell us about yourself. I'm a rural, progressive Democrat running for re-election to continue representing Oregon's 52nd House District in our State Legislature. I'm an academic advisor, a social worker, and a mom to two wonderful boys. I grew up in Wyoming, went to college in Kansas, and spent a few years working in Montana before moving to Oregon in 2007 to raise my family. I'm passionate about social justice and making sure that every person in our communities has the things they need to survive and thrive. I love our environment, our beautiful state, and my community. My life's work has been centered around achieving positive outcomes for others, and I'm committed to serving for the greater good of my district. I've always wanted to run for office, but I made the decision to do so in 2016 after seeing all of the injustices our communities were facing both nationally and in my own backyard. So many families were hurting and struggling at the mercy of inequality. I decided our community needed a representative who would seek to understand the needs of all of its members and work to advance their interests in Salem. Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office? I support a middle class economy and small business. I've partnered with businesses to bring sustainable high paying jobs to rural communities across Oregon. In Salem, I will continue to protect District 52's small business and agriculture economy, which includes carefully managing development to preserve our quality of life. When the economy reopens, I will work to help support small businesses so they are able to fully recover. I will continue to ensure corporations pay their fair share and will continue to stand for living wages and affordable housing for all Oregonians. I will continue to advocate to keep healthcare accessible and affordable to all Oregonians. To keep healthcare affordable, I support the state's Medicaid expansion and lowering the price of care and prescription drugs. I will continue to defend women's access to reproductive healthcare. Now more than ever before, it's essential that legislators ensure that every Oregonian has access to affordable healthcare. I am a passionate advocate for clean water, clear air, and protecting District 52's natural beauty, all of which is vital to our public health and economy. My work with Montana Conservation Voters showed me how a healthy environment is crucial for a healthy economy. I will continue to advocate for progressive environmental legislation that cuts carbon emissions and supports a thriving economy in my district. What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about? I'm passionate about domestic violence and child abuse prevention, something that stems from my experiences as a Social Worker, having worked at HAVEN from Domestic & Sexual Violence and with Children's Advocacy Centers, which take a trauma-informed approach to supporting victims of child abuse and streamline the process of reporting abuse by eliminating added barriers often faced by victims. I've seen the difference between when a survivor of interpersonal violence gets the care they need and when they don't, and believe that ensuring our families have access to these high-quality resources is absolutely essential to the overall betterment and success of our state. I'm also passionate about environmental and land use policy, which stems from my personal experiences having grown up in a rural community as well as from my time with environmental advocacy groups. There's a sense of urgency among our communities right now to pass legislation combating the climate crisis, which has already caused irreparable damage to our global ecosystems. There's clear evidence that we need to address climate change as our top priority. As we look to cut greenhouse gas emissions in the long-run, however, we need to be cognizant of the impacts that any policies passed may have on our vulnerable rural communities, agricultural communities, and the low-income families in our state. Our natural resources are a treasure and they must be protected. What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder? I'm straightforward, compassionate, and am not afraid to have difficult conversations with my colleagues, across the aisle, or within my community. My constituents have shared with me the appreciation they have for my honesty and accessibility; and they know that I look for real, tangible solutions to the problems they have every single day. I stand by my values, even when my colleagues disagree; and always keep the needs of my constituents close to heart when making decisions. I have experience both as a legislator and as a true member of the community here in House District 52. My work as a mom, educator, and social worker keep me grounded; and the stories and experiences of my students and clients inform my work in Salem. My career has been spent serving others, and while we've made great progress over the past two years, I know there's still much to do to make our communities and state work for everyone. I'm committed to working for a more fair and prosperous future for the people of my district and of Oregon. What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office? The core responsibilities for someone elected to this office are to dutifully represent the community that elected them, and to show up to work and vote on legislation. I believe strongly that an elected representative is responsible for reaching out to community members, regardless of party affiliation, to learn about their priorities and concerns and to bring those concerns to the governing body in which they serve with integrity and honesty. What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time? The first historical event I can remember happened when in 1986 I was in Kindergarten. It was the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster that unfortunately killed teacher Christa McAuliffe and the others on board. I remember that I loved my Kindergarten teacher so much, and that I was incredibly grateful that she was not the teacher in the shuttle. I invited her to dinner at my house to celebrate her livelihood, which my mother still laughs about to this day! What is your favorite book? Why? My favorite book is James & The Giant Peach by Roald Dahl. I love this book because it explores family, friendships, adventure, imagination, and it has a very happy ending! Do you believe that it’s beneficial for state legislators to have previous experience in government or politics? As an incumbent, I do think it's beneficial for state legislators to have previous experience in government or politics, and believe that my prior experience as a legislator will aid in my ability to effectively represent my community at our State Capitol. That said, a lack of experience shouldn't be a reason for disqualification or dismissal of someone's candidacy, so long as basic knowledge of government or politics and a willingness to learn and adapt is possessed. The most important and beneficial quality for state legislators to have is to share similar upbringings, values, and experiences with the community they are representing. Oregon has a citizen legislature, and with that, we're able to bring the voices of many different communities to the table to pass comprehensive legislation that works for all Oregonians. Career politicians, though very experienced, in many cases lack the grassroots connection needed to truly represent the ever-evolving needs of their constituents. Do you believe it’s beneficial to build relationships with other legislators? Please explain your answer. I absolutely think it's beneficial to build relationships with other legislators. As the Representative for House District 52, my priority will always be to serve and protect the interests of my community. Despite this, the policies I help pass with my community's best interest at heart are statewide, and in most cases will have implications for the rest of the state, where needs within the same sub-communities may differ from in my own district despite facing a similar, fundamental problem. Collaborating with other legislators is not only essential to getting good policy passed, it's the only way we can ensure that our most vulnerable community members do not slip through the cracks. I have learned that the best state-wide policies are passed when legislators around the state can come together and talk about the issues that the stakeholders in their community are facing and coming up with a policy that benefits those stakeholders throughout the state. If you are a current legislator, what appealed to you about your current committees? I love my current committees! I currently serve as Vice Chair of the House Human Services Committee, which creates human services policy and provides oversight of human service agencies. This committee allows me to use my perspective and expertise as a social worker and advocate for older adults and caregivers to lead on drafting and implementing strong housing and human services policy, with a focus on rural equity. I also serve on the House Agriculture & Land Use Committee. This committee allows me to combine my passion for conservation (Oregon's Land Use system is a groundbreaking network of policies which support conservation and protection of agricultural lands) and my passion for affordable housing development, as well as to continue to deepen my relationships with the farmers, ranchers, farm workers, and other agricultural community members.\nNote: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it."}]