Jun 06, 2019 12:00 PM
Commissioner Jessica Vega Pederson
Jessica Vega Pederson was raised in Northwest Indiana and moved to Portland in the 1990’s. A former technology professional, she graduated from Loyola University Chicago with a degree in informational systems management and philosophy.

Before being elected to the Multnomah County Board of Commissioners, Jessica served as a state representative in the Oregon legislature where she was the first Latina elected to the House. In the legislature, Jessica fought for issues such as paid sick time and pay equity to improve the lives of working Oregonians. As chair of the House Energy and Environment committee she championed the renewal of the Clean Fuels Program and passage of a bill to remove coal from Oregon's energy mix.

As a County Commissioner, she has championed the County’s efforts to combat climate change and build a just renewable energy economy. She also represents the County at various regional transportation tables and has focused on expanding access to early childhood education through initiatives such as the SUN program and the newly-established Multnomah County Early Education Task Force, which she chairs.

She serves on the board of Portland State University’s Center for Women’s Leadership and NARAL Pro-Choice Oregon, and lives in east Portland with her husband and two children.