Originally published in the Portland Mercury by the by Mercury Election Strike Force on October 14, 2026
“Multnomah County residents in District 2 deserve a representative in county government who’s thoughtful, action-oriented, and can articulate plans and policy goals based on where we want to be, not where we’re currently stuck. Nathan Ong Norris is best suited for the role. He’s data-driven and willing to evaluate programs based on the success of their long-term outcomes. That’s important in a county whose unhoused population continues to grow, despite millions spent on a variety of responses to homelessness. Ong Norris, a former hazardous waste technician with a master’s degree in emergency management, doesn’t bring the years of experience working at the county that some of his opponents do, but he brings clear vision and a robust knowledge of county systems and how they intersect with other local government sectors. Ong Norris is resolute in his promise to protect Preschool For All and provided specific, measurable goals to improve the program for children and providers. We also appreciate his strong commitment to the county’s climate justice work, particularly as climate issues have slipped down the county government’s agenda. In office, Ong Norris would likely push Multnomah County to do more to address the climate crisis and help its most vulnerable residents amid increasingly frequent and extreme weather events. He’s also got practical ideas for eviction prevention and would likely lend his voice to push the county to implement the long-overdue recommendations in the 2022 jail audit.”
