Meet our new Oregon House representative Mari Watanabe

The Multnomah and Washington County Boards of Commissioners held a joint session on Wednesday, December 15, appointing Bethany resident Mari Watanabe to fill a vacant seat for Oregon House District 34. Watanabe will fill the seat vacated by former Oregon Representative Lisa Reynolds who was appointed in November 2024 to fill a vacant seat in the Oregon Senate. Oregon House District 34 includes the communities of Bethany, Oak Hills, Cedar Mill, and parts of Beaverton and Hillsboro. She took time during her busy first few days to answer our questions. 

How do you plan to stay in touch with your constituents? 

“I plan to stay in touch through my newsletter, the first one will be released on Monday with updates on my committees and bills I am working on. Constituents can sign up for my newsletter at Representative Mari Watanabe Home Page.

“Anyone in my district who has issues or concerns, can email me at Rep.mariwatanabe@oregonlegislature.gov or call me at 503-986-1434. I will be setting up regular coffee meetings for constituents as well. And, of course, through the Cedar Mill News, which I have been reading for a long time.”

What do you see as the top few issues or problems facing District 34 constituents? How can you work to solve them in the legislature?

“The Legislature has agreed that the state of our roads and bridges is a top priority for both Democrats and Republicans. In addition, I am interested in supporting our immigrant and refugee population through a state lens as the current Federal Administration continues to put forth half-baked executive orders, and prioritizing bills that support our aging populations. I have already started working with my colleagues and look forward to the collaborative nature of the work.”

Watanabe has lived in the Portland Metro area for over two decades. She spent 25 years working for several apparel manufacturers before serving as the first executive director of the Japanese Museum of Oregon in 2008. Watanabe later joined the Portland Business Alliance, serving as both the director of Leadership Portland and executive director of Partners in Diversity for over 11 years.

She has also served on several boards and commissions, including the Portland Community College Board of Directors, Oregon Commission on Asian and Pacific Islander Affairs, the Beaverton Diversity Advisory Board, the City Club of Portland, and the National Veterans Network.

Watanabe was one of three candidates considered for the position including Sarah Beachy, a nonprofit administrator and public policy professional, and Alexandria Goddard, a legislative director for members of both the Oregon House and Senate. The boards of Washington and Multnomah counties unanimously voted to appoint Watanabe to the position. Watanabe will serve the remainder of Reynold’s term in the House, ending in January 2027.