Tualatin councilor jumps into state House District 37 race

Joelle Davis, who has been on the Tualatin City Council since 2008, hopes to fill the seat being

By Ed Johnson

The Times, Dec 10, 2009

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Joelle Davis, a Tualatin city councilor, announced Sunday that she will run to represent Oregon House District 37 in next year’s election.

Davis will be vying for the democratic nomination to represent the district that includes Tualatin, West Linn and Stafford area. Also after the democratic ticket are West Linn resident Will Rasmussen and Tualatin resident Gerritt Rosenthal.

Davis has lived in Tualatin for 10 years and served on the Tualatin City Council since 2008. She also serves on the board of the Human Rights Council of Washington County and was recently appointed to the League of Oregon Cities General Government and Human Resources Policy Committees.

“One of the reasons that I decided to do this was that an open seat doesn’t necessarily come along every day,” Davis said. “I feel that the voters have a great opportunity to let someone who has lived here for 10 years represent them.”

Rep. Scott Brunn, who currently holds the District 37 seat, decided not run again because he is seeking to represent Oregon’s 5th Congressional District in the next Congress.

Davis said that key points on her agenda include stabilizing funding sources for schools and public safety, finding ways to address transportation issues in the district and economic development.

Davis said she feels she has a good chance at securing the democratic nomination, and feels like people in the community are excited about having someone from Tualatin running for the position.

According to a campaign announcement press release, Davis has already been endorsed by every one of the Tualatin city councilors and State Labor Commissioner Brad Avakian.

Davis said she is planning a campaign kickoff event on Jan. 16 at the Tualatin Historical Society.