Portland’s newest state senator sworn in

Published 9:14 am Tuesday, December 10, 2024

Portland’s newest senator took her oath of office on Monday, Dec. 9, but that doesn’t make her a newcomer to the Capitol.

Lisa Reynolds gave up her seat in the Oregon House of Representatives to run for the Senate office vacated earlier this year by Elizabeth Steiner, who will become Oregon’s newest state treasurer in January.

Reynolds is a pediatrician with a practice at The Children’s Clinic in Washington County. Senate District 17 stays in “medical hands” — Steiner is a family medicine physician.

Reynolds, a Democrat, will serve out the remaining two years of Steiner’s term and can run for the office in 2026.

“As a mom, a pediatrician and a leader in our community, I see the challenges we face and how all levels of government can and must do more to make life easier for Oregon families,” Reynolds said Monday.

District 17 includes portions of Northwest Portland and stretches westward into Washington County, including the communities of Bethany and Oak Hills, and parts of Beaverton and Hillsboro.

Monday’s unconventional swearing-in ceremony was officiated by Gov. Tina Kotek during the 2024 Oregon Business Plan Leadership Summit at the Oregon Convention Center.

“I am excited to continue working with her, especially on children and family issues that support safer and healthier communities for everyone,” Kotek said.

Reynolds served two terms in the Oregon House and was elected to a third, before making the switch to the upper chamber.

In the House, Reynolds chaired the Committee on Early Childhood and Human Services, and served on the Judiciary Committee and the budget-writing subcommittee for Human Services.

For the coming session, she is the driving force behind the so-called “Momnibus 2025,” a portmanteau word that takes in “mom” and “omnibus bill.” The package of proposed bills would focus on safe and stable housing during pregnancy and 12 months postpartum; access and improved outcomes for maternal mental health and substance use disorder; means-tested poverty reduction strategies for pregnant and postpartum Oregonians; and efforts to expand, diversify and support perinatal workforce including doulas, peer support, behavioral health workers and lactation specialists.