New Oregon House member will serve portions of Portland, Washington Co.

Published 5:00 am Thursday, January 23, 2025

Leaders in Multnomah and Washington counties have selected Mari Watanabe to serve in House District 34, which straddles the county line. She takes her seat just in time for the 2025 legislative session, which began Tuesday, Jan. 21.

She is the first Japanese American woman to serve in the Oregon Legislature.

“My sleeves are already rolled up, they have been for decades,” Watanabe said.

Watanabe replaces Lisa Reynolds, who moved from that House Seat to the Senate. Reynolds, in turn, replaces Maxine Dexter, who was elected to Congress in November.

Watanabe a third-generation Japanese American and longtime community advocate. She was sworn in on Sunday, Jan. 19, at the Jordon Schnitzer Japanese Arts Learning Center.

Watanabe’s parents underwent forced internment during World War II. She graduated from Washington State University. Her career has included championing diversity, equity and inclusion in nonprofit leadership roles. She has worked as executive director of the Japanese American Museum of Oregon and Partners in Diversity.

Attending the swearing-in ceremony were, among others, Nadia Hasan, Beaverton City councilor, Washington County Commissioner Nafisa Fai and State Rep. Thuy Tran.