Dacia Grayber
Candidate for:
State Representative - HD 28
What drives me to seek an elected position
As a firefighter, I spend my life serving my community, one call at a time, working hard to make things better for people on the worst day of their lives. My job gives me an incredible privilege in being called to people’s most desperate and vulnerable moments. As a legislator, I am honored to carry that dedication to service forward to a larger community.
The past six years of serving in legislative office have been challenging—and rewarding to know that we’ve worked together to make a major positive impact on people’s lives. But there’s still work to do. Keeping Oregon resilient against President Trump’s hack-and-slash budget decisions, his authoritarian overreach and the wealth hoarding of the billionaire class means new problems every day.
We need strong leaders. Ones with a vision of an Oregon that robustly supports its workers and residents and who know how to get difficult policy across the finish line. I believe that I have been—and can continue to be—that legislator for the constituents of my amazing district.
The first three priorities or issues I want to tackle
The first issue I am tackling in the upcoming biennium is a reform and expansion of Oregon’s Public Workforce Development system. Unfortunately, conversations about economic development can fall prey to the failed strategies of trickle-down economics. I believe that—instead—investing in talent pipelines and partnerships between employers, unions and educational institutions can create the type of highly skilled and trained workforces that simply cannot be ignored by businesses, and can provide a framework that is equitable in centering the experiences of our workers first and foremost.
My next priority is a follow up to the POWER Act, which separated the cost of power usage by data centers from impacting residential power bills. This biennium I am hoping to partner with representatives across the political spectrum to provide similar protections in the way data centers consume and treat water.
Finally, I look forward to continuing the work that I’ve done to support Oregon’s firefighters and paramedics, by expanding the list of cancers that are considered occupational health hazards and are therefore covered by Workers Compensation and other health insurance plans.
The experiences and insights I will bring to the office
My family and I have had experiences—both joyous and tragic—that I believe make me a stronger fighter for the people of Oregon.
With over 25 years under my belt as a firefighter and paramedic, I know what it means to work as a team, to sacrifice and do as much good for as many people as you possibly can. As a former educator, the daughter of public school educators and the parent of four children who came up through PPS, I know the value of our public schools and our teachers in shaping the health and future of our next generations. As the wife of a cancer survivor, I know what it means to be bogged down in needless and cruel bureaucracy when what you really need at that moment is a helping hand from our public systems. And as the parent of a smart, sensitive, beautiful stepdaughter that tragically took her own life with a firearm, I understood all too painfully the need for strong gun-sense reforms, coupled with a robust mental and behavioral health support system regardless of where you’re at in life.
I believe all of these experiences make me a better leader for the people of Oregon. They have shaped me, and the policies that I have helped pass, during my time in elected office; as I’m sure they will for many years to come.
What being a Democrat in Multnomah County means to me
Being a Democrat in Multnomah County means being someone who welcomes and uplifts the voices of those who have struggled to be heard. Being someone who champions the causes of people who are often silenced by those who have egregious wealth, power and influence. It means never shying away from the generational fights that will shape our present and future, just because they’re “too big” or “too hard.” Above all I believe being a Democrat in Multnomah County means caring deeply about your neighbors, your family, your friends, and—as exhausting as it can be at times—always showing up for them when they need you most.