Cye Sterling
Candidate for:
State Representative - HD 43
What drives me to seek an elected position
I’m running because we don’t need more career politicians—we need real people who are willing to listen, adapt and evolve with the communities they serve. I am a Democratic Socialist. For me that simply means that those that do not struggle to survive each day, help those that do.
Every Oregonian has value. They have ambitions and goals. Too often, these goals go unrealized due to the ever-increasing cost of living and the erosion of support systems for the average citizen. This is unacceptable. You deserve the tools you need to achieve as many goals as you want, so that you and Oregon benefit.
If elected, I do not promise to be a politician. I promise to simply be human, and my policy reflect that. This is what drives me to run for office: you. I would never forget that.
The first three priorities or issues I want to tackle
Voters often feel disconnected from the legislative process. I would address this by creating a transparent constituent polling platform that shows my daily legislative work, while allowing constituents to provide feedback and participate in ongoing polls on active issues. This creates a co-governance between self and constituents.
I would elevate the growing impact of data center development on local communities, including energy demand, environmental strain and land use concerns. I would push for stronger legislative review and policy discussion to ensure these projects are balanced with community needs, infrastructure capacity and environmental protections.
I would focus on identifying and reducing the bureaucratic barriers that slow the use of housing vouchers across Oregon. In many areas, housing funds go unspent while units remain vacant or delayed. There should never be unhoused Oregonians while homes sit empty. It is unacceptable.
These priorities reflect Democratic values in Multnomah County by focusing on housing stability, environmental stewardship and transparent, participatory government. Together, they center equity, sustainability and community voice in the policymaking process.
The experiences and insights I will bring to the office
I bring experience in management and crisis de-escalation, which has strengthened my ability to stay grounded in high-pressure situations and focus on practical solutions. I am not coming from a traditional political background, but from a systems-aware, community-focused perspective.
My experience is shaped by both lived experience within public systems and a practical understanding of how those systems function on the ground. I understand how bureaucratic delays and fragmented programs affect real people.
My approach centers on making government more responsive, transparent and effective in delivering essential services like housing, healthcare and food security, while ensuring constituents have a direct and ongoing voice in the decisions that affect them.
What being a Democrat in Multnomah County means to me
Being a Democrat in Multnomah County means being responsive to the evolving needs and values of the community we represent, rather than being disconnected from them. It means recognizing shifts in the political climate and ensuring that those changes are reflected in how we approach policy at the state level.
It also means upholding the Oregon Constitution, protecting state sovereignty and advancing policies that support Oregonians’ ability to build stable, fulfilling lives.
Fundamentally, it means not advancing legislation that harms residents or limits their ability to pursue opportunity and well-being.