From left, candidates for the Multnomah County Commission District 3 seat Julia Brim-Edwards, Ana del Rocío and Albert Kaufman.
Courtesy of the Campaigns / Provided
Julia Brim-Edwards, a Portland Public Schools board member and former Nike executive, was leading in early, unofficial returns in the special election to represent Southeast Portland’s District 3 on the Multnomah County Commission.
As of early Wednesday morning, Brim-Edwards had about 58% of the vote. Ana del Rocío, a former policy adviser to county and state legislators, trailed Brim-Edwards with just over 34%. Albert Kaufman, a digital marketing consultant, was a distant third with less than 7% of the vote.
The candidates were vying for a seat previously held by Jessica Vega Pederson, who was elected Multnomah County chair last fall. The position has been temporarily held by former state legislator Diane Rosenbaum since January.
Brim-Edwards centered her campaign on addressing the county’s homeless crisis with better collaboration with other jurisdictions, improving responses to property and gun crimes and supporting small businesses.
Brim-Edwards has served on the Portland Public Schools board for nine years. She has said that she plans on serving to the end of her current term in June 2025, if allowed.
Brim-Edwards will serve the remainder of the District 3 term, which ends in December 2024.