“I’m running for County Commissioner because I believe in us. The current political climate wants to set us against one another and fill us with fear - I don’t buy it. It’s time to hope again, and put that hope into action so that everyone who lives in Deschutes County can thrive here. Working together, we can be a force for good.”
Priorities
Housing
We have a housing crisis in Deschutes County. This is a stunning place to live, work, and play - but none of it can happen without our people. Our top priority must be to collaborate with city governments to thoughtfully build more housing that can support local businesses, families, communities, and our Central Oregon way of life.
Homelessness / Houselessness
Every year, more and more people are experiencing homelessness in Deschutes County. None of us want people living in tents on the street or in the forest; no one wants to “become Portland.” The only way that will happen is if we do nothing. So we must take action with data-driven, proven approaches that will actually help decrease homelessness and help folks get back on their feet.
Mental Health
Tragically, our county has one of the highest youth suicide rates in the state. The need for support is outpacing our ability to respond, leaving vulnerable people waiting for appointments and wraparound services. We must make behavioral health a priority and forge partnerships with local organizations and mental health care providers so our whole community can be well. Morgan will collaborate with the experienced professionals who have been doing this work in our community for a long time to champion programs that will have significant impact.
Land Use & Growth
Deschutes County is one of the fastest growing counties in the nation. This has brought benefits to our community, as well as challenges like soaring house prices, traffic jams, strained infrastructure, and unsustainable pressure on our lands, waters, and wildlife. Our lands and water are irreplaceable, and the county’s role is to align with the integrity and intent of our land use system: planning for affordable, livable cities while preserving the forests, farmland, waters, and open spaces that we all love.
Investing in Deschutes County
A growing county has growing needs. We must invest in our future. Taxpayers deserve to have public funds managed carefully so that people get the services they need. Being fiscally responsible means being fiscally strategic, and Morgan is ready to invest wisely.
Learn more about how your concerns will be Morgan’s priorities as County Commissioner.
Meet Morgan
Morgan Schmidt has spent the past fifteen years in public service, reaching out to neighbors and vulnerable populations, building effective working relationships, coordinating coalitions of stakeholders. She regularly speaks on caring for our neighbors and engaging our community with curiosity and openness.
She has dedicated her career to community building and collaboration as the Leader of Pandemic Partners, former Director of the Bend Youth Collective, Chair of the Homeless Leadership Coalition’s Community Engagement Committee, Chair of the Presbytery of the Cascades Wildfire Response Committee, and Co-Founder of Clergy for Justice of Central Oregon.
The Deschutes County Commission impacts every area of our lives - from housing to public health and mental health, to roads and forest management, to land use and landfills. The Commission has an expansive impact, and electing Morgan will make it a Force for Good.
