Jessica Vega Pederson

Jessica Vega Pederson serves as Chair of Multnomah County, Oregon's largest and most diverse county. In 2012, she made history as the first Latina elected to the Oregon House of Representatives in its 163-year history. As chair of the House Energy and Environment Committee, she championed landmark climate legislation including the Clean Fuels Program and the Coal to Clean bill. After serving as County Commissioner (2016-2022), she was elected County Chair in 2022. She led the effort to pass Preschool for All in 2020, creating universal free preschool for all 3-4 year olds in Multnomah County.

Born in East Chicago, Indiana at the same hospital where her mother was born. Grandparents immigrated to Northwest Indiana in 1920. Raised in a large Mexican-American family in Crown Point, Indiana near Chicago. Father worked in the steel mills, mother stayed home with children and later worked part-time in childcare. Mother was a civil rights activist who inspired Jessica's early advocacy work. Oldest of three daughters. Married to Aaron with two children (daughter born 2008, son born 2010).