East Multnomah County voters have some decisions to make as to who will represent them in Salem.
Election Night Tuesday, Nov. 5, will include the race for House District 50, featuring incumbent Rep. Ricki Ruiz, D-Gresham, and a challenge by Paul Drechsler, the Republican nominee.
The Outlook reached out to all the candidates running for office in Salem.
Ruiz has lived in East Multnomah County his entire life. The 30-year-old works as the Community Services Coordinator for the city of Gresham,
He volunteers with SnowCap Community Charities, giving back to the nonprofit food pantry his family relied on when he was in elementary and middle school. He is a supporter of El Programa Hispano, who aided his parents since the 1980s when they worked on a farm, and he recently became involved with the Center for the Arts Foundation.
Ruiz first took office in 2020, taking the seat after his predecessor, Carla Piluso, decided not to seek reelection. He reclaimed his seat after the 2022 election. He is also a former Reynolds School Board member.
Why are you running for state office?
Ruiz: “I’m running for re-election because I want to continue serving our communities and ensure every family has access to the opportunities they deserve. I understand the struggles many working families face in making ends meet. That’s why I’m committed to fighting for affordable housing, quality education, lowering the cost of living, and protecting workers' rights. My goal is to build a future where our children and neighbors can truly thrive. With nearly seven years of experience in elected office, I’ve seen the positive impact that strong advocacy can bring, but there’s still much more work to be done.
What are your priorities as a candidate?
“Address affordable housing, improve education and childcare access, tackle the cost of living for all, and continue our work to fix the homelessness issue. I’ve seen how rising costs and lack of resources can push families to the edge. I believe everyone deserves access to a safe home, quality education for their children, and opportunities to thrive. I am committed to working with local governments, developers, and nonprofits to create more affordable housing units and preserve existing affordable housing stock. I believe that by streamlining the process and offering incentives to developers, more homes can be built. I am advocating for increased funding for schools and early childhood programs, including expanding state support for childcare subsidies. I plan to push for policies that prioritize wage growth and better worker protections. I recognize the need to reduce the financial strain on families by ensuring access to affordable healthcare, utilities, and essential services. I am focused on a comprehensive approach that includes increasing access to mental health and addiction services, as well as providing more permanent supportive housing.”
How will you be able to work with others in Salem to enact those priorities?
“The best solutions come from working together, and I’ve built a strong reputation for collaboration during my time in the Oregon Legislature. A vast majority of the bills I have introduced have passed in a bipartisan way. For example, HB3583 in 2023 - relating to how schools cannot take more than 24 hours to communicate to parents, guardians, school employees, and students regarding a safety threat that had occurred in a school.
What sets you apart as a candidate?
“My deep personal connection Gresham and East Portland, combined with a proven track record of public service. Over the past seven years in elected office (as a State Representative and School Board Member), I’ve successfully built coalitions and passed policies that directly benefit our communities. My experience spans from advocating for affordable housing, securing funds to get Gresham their much needed school health based center, expanding youth violence prevention services, and supporting the growth of our businesses through gain share with the strategic investment program. I am deeply rooted in my community, and my lived experience mirrors the challenges many people face. That’s why our campaign is supported by Gresham’s Mayor Travis Stovall, along with former mayors Karylinn Echols and Shane Bemis.”
How will you support business/industry in the region?
“Advocating for policies that promote economic growth, innovation, and a skilled workforce. I believe in creating an environment where small businesses can thrive, which includes reducing unnecessary regulations, providing access to affordable capital, and offering tax incentives for companies that invest in local communities. Programs like Gain Share directs a portion of the new state income tax revenue back to cities and counties when jobs are created from the Strategic Investment Program (SIP) projects. I’ll work to ensure industries like manufacturing, renewable energy, and agriculture — key to our region’s economy — have the resources they need to grow and adapt. This includes investing in infrastructure improvements, workforce development programs, and expanding access to affordable housing so workers can live near their jobs.”
Is more housing needed locally?
“Yes more housing is urgently needed. The rising cost of living and limited availability of affordable homes are pushing many families and individuals into housing insecurity. This shortage affects not only low-income families but also working professionals who are finding it increasingly difficult to afford housing close to their jobs. The lack of sufficient housing is contributing to our homelessness crisis as well. To address this, we need to increase housing supply across the spectrum—affordable, workforce, and market-rate housing. That is why I helped secure a $3 million housing infrastructure investment that will prepare Gresham for the future housing projects across our region.”
What is your stance on addressing homelessness/livability?
“My stance is rooted in compassion and practical solutions that tackle the root causes. We need to prioritize a comprehensive approach that includes expanding affordable housing, increasing access to mental health and addiction services, and ensuring economic opportunities. I support providing more transitional and supportive housing, along with wraparound services to help individuals get back on their feet. I believe in creating safe, clean, and vibrant communities where everyone can thrive. This means investing in public spaces, improving infrastructure, and addressing public safety concerns while still upholding the dignity and rights of all residents, including those experiencing homelessness.”
Stark Street Bridge is out of commission with structural damage. What investments need to be made to infrastructure/transportation across the region?
“Immediate attention should be given to repairing and upgrading the bridge to ensure safety and reliability. Beyond that, the region requires comprehensive improvements, such as reinforcing other aging bridges and roads to prevent future disruptions. Expanding public transportation options, including bus and light rail services, can help ease congestion and provide alternatives to bridge traffic.”
Mt. Hood Community College is trying for a historic bond, how could you help in Salem? What else is needed for education?
“(MHCC) is long overdue for a bond to address critical infrastructure and safety concerns. As both a State Representative and a proud Mt. Hood alumnus, I fully support this bond measure and am committed to doing my part to ensure its passage. It’s essential that the state plays an active role in allocating resources to help schools and community colleges across Oregon with infrastructure improvements. Many of these institutions struggle to pass bonds, so we need to get creative in finding ways to step up and provide the support they need.”
How would you support parks and recreation/youth services?
“Since 2015 we’ve built nine outdoor mini soccer courts across Gresham, Fairview, and Wood Village, which have become a major attraction. While parks, recreation, and youth services are in a much better place than they were a year ago, there’s still more work to be done. In the most recent legislative session, I helped secure over $5 million for over 10 community-based organizations focused on youth violence prevention, benefiting not just Gresham but all areas east of 82nd Ave. Additionally, we secured over $2 million to advance the next phase of Gradin Community Sports Park, which will bring two more softball fields, two soccer fields, eight pickleball courts, two dog parks, and more amenities to the Gresham community. We also obtained resources to add pickleball courts at Gresham High School and Aspen Highland Park, resurface basketball courts at Red Sunset Park and Yamhill Park, and create community gardens across Rockwood and greater Gresham.”
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