Washington, DC – Today, Equality PAC Co-Chairs Chairman Mark Takano (D-CA) and Congressman David Cicilline (D-RI) announced the endorsement of Jamie McLeod-Skinner for Oregon’s 5th Congressional District. McLeod-Skinner is the Democratic nominee.
“Equality PAC is proud to endorse Jamie McLeod-Skinner for Congress in Oregon’s 5th district,” said Equality PAC Co-Chair Chairman Mark Takano. “Jamie is a powerful champion for equality and she will fight to protect and expand our community’s rights in Congress. From her work mentoring LGBTQ students to helping pass a local anti-discrimination ordinance, Jamie understands the power of lifting up and looking out for our community — and we know she will proudly continue this work in Congress.”
“Jamie McLeod-Skinner is a proven leader across Oregon and we’re thrilled to support her campaign and the voice she will bring to Congress,” said Equality PAC Co-Chair Congressman David Cicilline. “As LGBTQ communities face rising levels of hated-driven crimes… and as extremist politicians threaten our hard-earned rights, we need leaders like Jamie in Congress now more than ever. We are proud to support Jamie’s campaign and look forward to welcoming her to Congress next year.”
“Oregonians deserve leaders who represent our diverse district — and I’m proud to receive Equality PAC’s endorsement today,” said Jamie McLeod-Skinner. “My wife and I are proud rural Oregonians, supported by family and friends — every member of our community deserves this same unequivocal support and protection from their elected leaders. As extremists push anti-LGBTQ legislation and threaten our rights, we need people in positions of power who will focus on common-sense protections for equality. In Congress, I will stand up to bigotry, support the Equality Act, and work tirelessly to protect the rights of all marginalized communities. I want to thank Equality PAC Co-Chairs Chairman Mark Takano and Congressman David Cicilline for supporting our campaign and I look forward to working alongside them in Congress.”
Jamie McLeod-Skinner is a small business owner and emergency response coordinator. Raised by a single mom when she was young, Jamie watched her mom work three jobs at times to put food on their table. Jamie paid her own way through college and law school — so she knows how tough it is to make ends meet. That’s why she focused her career on rebuilding communities and protecting our natural resources. A former union member, she is an outspoken advocate for Oregon’s working people, family farmers, and urban and rural communities. Jamie began her public service managing the repairs of schools and hospitals in Bosnia and Kosovo before returning to the U.S. to manage refugee resettlement programs, work in city and regional planning and serve on a city council. She has led organizational change, mediated community disputes, helped develop affordable housing, and managed teams through crises. In 2021, Jamie led wildfire recovery efforts as Talent’s Interim City Manager, bringing in millions of dollars in aid and emergency housing.
Jamie holds a bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering, a Master’s in Regional Planning, and a law degree with a focus on Natural Resources Law. She serves as an elected board member of the Jefferson County Education Service District and was appointed by Governor Brown to serve on the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board.
Jamie is a stepmom and lives with her wife in Central Oregon where they raise dogs, goats, and chickens. In her spare time, she enjoys hanging out with family and hiking with her dogs.
Equality PAC is the political arm of the Congressional LGBTQ Equality Caucus and is dedicated to the full legal and societal equality for LGBTQ Americans. All funds raised into Equality PAC are spent supporting and electing openly LGBTQ individuals and strong LGBTQ allies to the United States Congress who are committed to passing the Equality ACT and to ensuring full civil rights and protections for all LGBTQ Americans.
To learn more about Jamie McLeod-Skinner and her campaign, please visit her website here.
