SECRETARY OF STATE

Shemia Fagan (DEM)

Occupation: State Senator, Civil Rights Attorney

Prior Governmental Experience: David Douglas School Board, State Representative

"Fagan stood out to us because she has a track record being straight with Oregonians when something isn’t working as it should."

- Bend Bulletin, 4/4/20

"A 38-year-old state senator and civil rights attorney ... Fagan is a force."

- Eugene Weekly, 4/23/20

Biography:

Shemia Fagan has spent nearly a decade in public service fighting to ensure fairness for Oregonians. She currently serves as a State Senator, representing Southeast Portland, Happy Valley, Milwaukie, and North Clackamas. She chairs the Committee on Housing and Development and she serves on the Healthcare Committee, and she previously served two terms in the State House. In 2018, she received the Independent Party’s nomination for her race for the Oregon Senate. A proud mother of two and civil rights attorney, Shemia is running for Secretary of State to bring a fair Oregon within reach for her children – and ours.

Growing up poor in rural Oregon – Dufur and The Dalles – opportunity seemed out of reach for Shemia. Her mother battled addiction and spent much of her life homeless, and her father struggled to support three kids on his own. Despite these challenges, Shemia’s 4th-grade teacher at Dufur Elementary School believed in her and showed her that a better life was within reach.

Shemia worked her way through college and law school to become a civil rights attorney. She was driven by the need to stand up for those who don’t have an advocate. Shemia has spent her career fighting for working Oregonians, holding big corporations accountable, and speaking truth to power. She’s been on the forefront of fights to stabilize housing costs for Oregonians statewide, make healthcare more affordable, expand voting rights, and create the Small Business Advocate within the Secretary of State’s office. She’s dedicated her career to ensuring that children growing up without much – like she did – still have the opportunity to get ahead and to dream of more. It’s why she’s running for Secretary of State – to bring progress within reach for all.

As State Representative and Senator, Shemia has:

Increased investment in our public schools,
Made housing and healthcare more affordable,
Expanded voting rights, and
Created the Small Business Advocate.

Throughout her career, she has shown incredible independence while being unafraid of taking on the establishment. As a State Senator, she has often broken with her party and advocated to close the “secret ballot loophole” that prematurely blocks solutions behind closed doors in the legislature.

Shemia has taken on and defeated entrenched incumbents, regardless of party: first, a decade ago when she ran for a seat on the David Douglas School District and unseated a 25-year incumbent; next when she unseated a Republican to win her seat in the House; and most recently when she unseated a three-term Democratic incumbent in the State Senate. She never runs from a fight, and always steps up to ensure that everyone has a voice.

As Secretary of State, Shemia will protect the integrity of:

Our elections, making sure every vote counts and every voter has faith that it does.
Our public investments, using audits to ensure efficient spending on critical funding for public health, civil rights, environmental protection, and access to reproductive healthcare.
Our state government, increasing transparency and holding our elected leaders accountable.

Endorsements

“Shemia is a once-in-a-generation leader at a time when we face once-in-a-lifetime threats to our democracy. Shemia has the courage and conviction to meet those threats head-on and win.”

- Former Secretary of State and Governor Barbara Roberts

"In her time in the state legislature, Shemia Fagan has been a public safety leader and advocate for Oregonians statewide. Shemia has an inspiring personal story that demonstrates her true strength."

- Oregon State Fire Fighters Council

“Shemia is a proven fighter for Oregon’s educators and kids. As a legislator in both the House and Senate, she has worked hard to increase investment in our public education system.”

- Oregon Education Association

I am proud to have earned the support of organizations across Oregon, including:

Bend Bulletin

Eugene Weekly

Oregon Education Association

American Federation of Teachers - Oregon

Oregon School Employees Association

Oregon State Building & Construction Trades Council

Oregon State Fire Fighters Council

NW Carpenters Union

Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors' National Association

UA Local 290 Plumbers & Steamfitters