The Multnomah County Board of Commissioners witnessed a significant transformation as Meghan Moyer, Julia Brim-Edwards, and Vince Jones-Dixon were officially sworn into office on Monday, January 6, anchoring a new era of leadership in the region. The ceremony, held at the Multnomah Building's packed Boardroom, marked the beginning of their four-year terms and drew a notable ensemble of regional leaders, including members from the lately elected 12-member Portland City Council and Portland Mayor Keith Wilson.
Accompanied by the likes of Sheriff Nicole Morrisey O’Donnell, and County Auditor Jennifer McGuirk, the event was hailed by retired U.S. House Representative Earl Blumenauer as "perhaps, the most significant gathering of regional firepower" he'd ever seen. Blumenauer emphasized the high expectations placed upon the new board, a sentiment echoed by the commissioners, who addressed the county's urgent challenges head-on, according to an interview by Multnomah County News.
As reported by Multnomah County News, Brim-Edwards, who secured her position after winning a four-year term in May 2024, stated, "now is not the time to admire incremental progress. It’s time to double our efforts." Her resolve to disrupt the status quo by addressing the county's challenges in partnership with the city of Portland was clear. Jones-Dixon, the first Black man elected to the Board, shared a personal narrative of tragedy and resilience, vowing to honor his lost loved ones by contributing to solutions and community safety.
Moyer outlined her commitment to progress, stating her priorities included assuming good intent, remembering change is possible that requires work and dedication and striving to listen and learn. She urged others to hold her accountable to these goals, as she stepped into her role representing District 1. The event also included cultural performances and concluded with mingling, refreshments, and an invitation from Jones-Dixon to the attendees to get to know the new commissioners, as reported by Multnomah County News.
