“I’m running because Deschutes County deserves a leader who is committed to tackling housing affordability, stewarding our rural lands, safeguarding communities against wildfire, and ensuring public health services. Because everyone who lives here should be able to thrive here. ”
Priorities
Housing
We have a housing crisis in Deschutes County. Our top priority must be to collaborate with city governments to thoughtfully build more housing that can support local businesses, families, and our Central Oregon way of life.
Wildfire Resilience
Our communities face increased wildfire risk every year. We must work together to prepare, mitigate risk, and support the fire professionals who keep our homes safe.
Public Health
The County Commission is the public health authority, tasked with keeping our families safe and well. Morgan will ensure we continue providing essential mental health, public health, school clinics, family support, and environmental health services.
Land & Water
Deschutes County is one of the fastest growing counties in the nation. 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.
Fiscal Responsibility
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.
Homelessness
Every year, more people are experiencing homelessness in Deschutes County. No one wants people living in tents on the street or in the forest. The only way that continues is if we do nothing. We must take action with data-driven, proven approaches that will actually help decrease homelessness and help people get back on their feet.
Learn more about how your concerns will be Morgan’s priorities as County Commissioner.
Meet Morgan
Morgan Schmidt currently serves as the Executive Director for the Red Cross of Central & Eastern Oregon. She deploys regularly as a chaplain for mass casualty natural disaster operations. She spent the past seventeen years in public service, reaching out to neighbors and vulnerable populations, building effective working relationships, and coordinating coalitions of stakeholders.
Morgan has dedicated her career to community building and collaboration as an ordained pastor at First Presbyterian Church in Bend, Founder of Pandemic Partners, Chair of the City of Bend’s Neighborhood Leadership Alliance, Chair of the Homeless Leadership Coalition’s Community Engagement Committee, and Chair of the Presbytery of the Cascades Wildfire Response Committee.
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. Morgan has the experience and knowledge to lead Deschutes County into a future where everyone in our community can thrive.
