Nick Walden Poublon
Candidate for:
State Representative - HD 52
What drives me to seek an elected position
I’m running because I know what it’s like to get by without a safety net—and I believe government should work for the people who are doing just that.
I grew up on a dairy farm and worked my way through college and graduate school. Along the way, I saw firsthand how hard it is to navigate systems that are supposed to help—especially healthcare. I’ve faced a serious health diagnosis myself, and I lost my mother young without the security of health coverage. Those experiences stay with you. They shape how you see the stakes.
That’s why my career in healthcare policy and education has been focused on making systems work for real people—not just on paper. And it’s why I approach this job the same way: solve the problem in front of you, be accountable for results and be honest about what it takes to get things done.
I also served this district as a legislative aide to our last Democrat representative Lori Kuechler, so I know how to navigate the system and where it breaks down.
I’m proud to have earned support from community groups like East County Rising and labor partners, including PCUN and UFCW Local 555.
Two years ago, we came within a few points of flipping this seat. I’m running to finish what we started—and finally deliver the representation this district deserves.
The first three priorities or issues I want to tackle
My top three priorities are healthcare access, education support and lowering the cost of living—and they have to work together to reflect how people actually live.
As an educator in this district, I see the overlap every day. When families can’t access care, when housing is unstable, or when commutes are too long, it shows up in the classroom. Students struggle, and schools are left filling gaps they weren’t designed to carry alone.
On healthcare, equity means access that people can actually use. Through my work with Health Care for All Oregon, I’ve focused on expanding provider access, reducing out-of-pocket costs and making sure coverage translates into real care.
On education, Democratic values mean targeted investment—stable funding paired with school-based health and mental health supports so students are ready to learn.
On the cost of living, equity means people can afford to stay in their communities by building housing where infrastructure exists and improving transportation options.
These priorities are connected. Delivering on them together is how we make equity real in people’s daily lives.
The experiences and insights I will bring to the office
I bring a combination of on-the-ground experience, policy knowledge and a proven ability to earn trust across this district.
I’ve worked inside the legislature as a policy aide for this district, so I understand how decisions get made—and where they break down locally. That means I can be effective from day one, not learning on the job.
At the same time, I’m an educator here. I see every day how state policy shows up in people’s lives—when healthcare isn’t accessible, when housing is unstable, when costs are too high. I often say: if more legislators spent time in our classrooms, managing 30 students and seeing those pressures firsthand, we’d move a lot faster toward getting school funding right.
Through my work with Health Care for All Oregon, I’m also actively engaged in advancing solutions to improve access and affordability.
I’ve built a campaign that reaches people across communities who don’t always feel heard. In 2024, we came within a few points of flipping this seat by showing up, listening and following through.
What I bring is the ability to connect policy to real outcomes—and to deliver results in a district where that hasn’t always been the case.
What being a Democrat in Multnomah County means to me
Being a Democrat in Multnomah County means turning values like equity, access, and fairness into results people can actually see and feel—and earning trust by delivering.
Being a Democrat in Multnomah County means turning values like equity, access, and fairness into results people can actually see and feel—and earning trust by delivering.
That starts with making public systems work: healthcare people can afford and access, schools that are fully staffed and supported, and housing and transportation policies that allow people to stay in their communities.
It also means accountability. It’s not enough to take positions—you have to show up, listen, and follow through, especially with people who don’t always feel heard. That’s how you build lasting engagement.
I’m seeking to serve in a district that spans multiple counties, and I’ve built this campaign by being present across all of them. Our values should be consistent, but applying them effectively requires understanding how people actually live and what will work in practice.
To me, being a Democrat means focusing on outcomes—being honest about tradeoffs, working across differences, and delivering results people can count on.