Candidate Name:
William Miller
Candidate’s Preferred Pronouns
He/Him/His
What office are you running for?
Oregon State Representative, House District 50
With which party are you running for office?
Democratic Party
Election Date
May 19, 2020
Why are you running for office?
My drive to run for this position comes from my deep connection to the many issues facing my community. From experiences in my own life, I have witnessed how the Gresham community struggles with the School to Prison pipeline, with access to mental and addiction services, with the right to quality education, and with finding stable and affordable housing. These are things I have struggled with in my own life, within my family, and with my friends. My desire to push for bold new policies and investments in things that can help my community and others across the state thrive, and to do so by sharing my own lived experiences and lifting the voices of others. These issues aren’t only issues for the Gresham community either, I seek to work openly and widely to deliver change for my community.
What is the biggest issue facing your community and how do you propose helping?
The biggest issue facing the East County region is access to safe and affordable housing. Stable housing is the core of increased outcomes for social determinants of health. Lack of stable housing leads to a decrease in ability to access employment, overall health outcomes, and ultimately can lead to homelessness. The solution to this issue will not be solved one way. We must work to build additional funding for the Local Innovation and Fast Track (LIFT) Housing Program through the Oregon Housing and Community Services Department. Additionally, we need to make sure our communities are housed and have the resources necessary to stay housed. We can accomplish this through direct services, resources, and a wraparound approach to serving our communities who are most vulnerable.
How do we fix the partisan divide in our country and start working together again?
The partisan divide is ruining our democracy and tarnishing our ability to serve all communities. We must center the needs and issues of the community at the forefront of policy and decision making and move away from being a partisan echo chamber. If we all center the needs of our communities at the forefront, we can shift to a more robust and cohesive democracy. I’m committed to this.
Who is your hero?
My hero is my Mother. Growing up, I always witnessed her strength, determination, and passion to ensure her family and those around her had the resources necessary to thrive. It is her strength that I call upon each day.
What are your hobbies?
I love snowboarding, hiking, reading, and enjoying time with family and friends.
What is the most recent book you read?
Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates
Do you have any kids/pets/talking houseplants?
I have a 10-month-old puppy, Oakley! He brings lots of joy and energy to my life.
How can our readers get involved in your campaign?
There are many ways to get involved. Visit www.William4Oregon.com. You’ll join the growing number of supporters, volunteers, and community members. It’ll be great to have your support!
What question do you wish we’d asked, and what is your answer?
What legislation would you work to pass when you first get to Salem?
One of the first things I would do is introduce legislation to allow for increased support services to individuals seeking addiction services. All too often, when someone wants to seek recovery, there isn’t a bed or facility that is able to take them. Therefore, their window of opportunity to get clean closes. I want to champion legislation which would fix this.
Candidate Social Media:
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