Oregon Swears In First Japanese American Lawmaker

Mari Watanabe became the newest member of the Oregon Legislature on Jan. 19—and also the state’s first-ever Japanese American lawmaker.

At a joint meeting of the Multnomah and Washington County boards Jan. 15, commissioners unanimously selected Watanabe to succeed state Rep. Lisa Reynolds (D-Tigard) in House District 34, which includes parts of both counties. Commissioners previously chose Reynolds to succeed her fellow physician, Dr. Elizabeth Steiner, in Senate District 17. In November, Steiner won election as Oregon state treasurer, becoming the first woman to hold that post.

Watanabe, a Democrat who served as executive director of the Japanese American Museum of Oregon for 11 years before retiring in 2023, won’t get much of a breather before starting her new job: The 2025 session kicks off Jan. 21.

“I am so proud to be the first Japanese American woman in the state Legislature,” Watanabe said in a statement at her swearing-in ceremony at the Portland Japanese Garden. “I am a third-generation Japanese American whose ancestors have been in America for over 120 years. This is historic.”

This story was produced by the Oregon Journalism Project, a nonprofit investigative newsroom for the state of Oregon. OJP seeks to inform, engage, and empower Oregonians with investigative and watchdog reporting that makes a significant impact at the state and local levels. Its stories appear in partner newspapers across the state. Learn more at oregonjournalismproject.org.