Bend pastor Morgan Schmidt launches run for Deschutes County commissioner

(Update: Adding statement from Adair)

Will seek Democratic nomination to unseat Republican Patti Adair

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Pastor and community leader Morgan Schmidt announced Monday she is filing to run for the Democratic nomination for Deschutes County Commissioner Position 3, the seat currently held by Republican Patti Adair.

Here's the rest of her news release announcing her candidacy:

Schmidt has been serving Deschutes County as pastor for Bend’s First Presbyterian Church. “I’ve been able to serve fifteen years in public service: reaching out to neighbors and vulnerable populations, building effective working relationships,” says Schmidt. “I want to serve our communities even more as County Commissioner.” 

In March 2020, Schmidt was the force behind the Facebook group Pandemic Partners to coordinate a community response to COVID-19. The group quickly grew to over 11,000 local members.

“We crowdsourced kindness to help our most vulnerable neighbors, and we continue to support one another in countless ways: from porch-dropping groceries to connecting folks with community resources to standing up interim emergency shelters when it has been too smoky, cold or hot,” says Schmidt. 

Schmidt is the Chair of the Homeless Leadership Coalition Community Engagement Committee, Co-Founder of Clergy for Justice Central Oregon and Chair of Presbytery of the Cascades Wildfire Response Committee.

Schmidt sees houselessness as one of the most critical issues. “I’ll advocate for dignified options for people experiencing houselessness,” Schmidt says. “In Deschutes County, leadership, local municipalities and nonprofits need to collaborate for long-term solutions, not Band-Aids.”

Schmidt’s priorities for Deschutes County Commission include incentivizing and advocating for affordable housing, improving our COVID-19 response, expanding behavioral and mental health services and community collaboration. 

“I’m running for commissioner so that everyone who lives here can thrive here,” says Schmidt. “I’ve seen extraordinary involvement from our communities in times of need, and I want to see that kindness towards neighbors reflected in our public policy.” 

For more information see MorganLovesOregon.com 

Adair provided this statement to NewsChannel 21:

Deschutes County is one the our nation's fastest-growing counties.  With growth comes significant challenges that must be addressed for the good of our citizens.  During my 2.5 years as County Commissioner, I have worked diligently and successfully to address many of these challenges.  They include affordable housing (and I'm pleased that SB 391 passed). We are now closely following SB 762 to implement the accessory dwelling unit workforce housing (SB 391) in rural Deschutes that could open up to ten thousand small homes.

The Court System has also been one of my important focuses.  Through my efforts two additional circuit court judges will be added to expedite trials and justice.  On behalf of our wonderful Veterans, their office to help solve problems is now open five days a week.  Now with the two additional judges, I am hoping the Veteran's Court can be improved to better serve this important community.  Throughout my term, I have understand the critical importance of Representing All Our Citizens--and appreciate the encouragement of people across the political spectrum and especially hard-working county taxpayers.