Martha Schrader Starts Bid for Clackamas County Commission

Says her “Heart is in helping Clackamas County”

(May 17, 2011—Canby, Oregon) Martha Schrader a former Clackamas County Commissioner who left in 2009 when she accepted an appointment to the State Senate, confirmed this morning that she intends to launch her campaign to return to her former role, position three of the Clackamas County Commission, after receiving encouragement from residents of Clackamas County.

“My heart is in helping Clackamas County, so when friends and neighbors began encouraging me to continue my service, I couldn’t say no,” said Schrader.

Schrader served as a Clackamas County Commissioner from 2003 through 2008 and as Board Chair in 2004 and 2007. She then served at State Senator, District 20 from 2009 through 2010, barely losing that bid by 227 votes.

“That experience helped me prioritize where I can help people the most,” said Schrader. “I feel my greatest accomplishments have been at Clackamas County and I have more to offer.”

As Commissioner, Martha was instrumental in revitalizing Clackamas County’s economic development program. Through her efforts, the county championed business retention and expansion, creating living wage jobs. Working with the Oregon National Guard and Clackamas Community College, Martha has remained active in creating job placement and family support systems for those returning from military service with a model that is being replicated nationally. Working with the Army Reserve and other reserve forces, she recently helped open the nation’s fourth Army Strong Community Center at Clackamas Community College to help veterans and their families.

Martha has a Bachelor’s of Science from Cornell University, a Master’s degree in Entomology from the University of Illinois and an additional Master’s degree in Education from Portland State University. She has also completed coursework toward a PhD. in Public Administration and Policy from Portland State University’s Hatfield School of Government. Schrader is a graduate of New York University’s County Leadership Institute, Portland State University’s Executive Leadership Institute, and is a Senior Fellow of the American Leadership Forum.

As a community builder, Martha has served on the Workforce Investment Council of Clackamas County, the board of Clackamas Heritage Partners, the Clackamas County Business Alliance, The Columbia River Girl Scout Council, and is currently a board member of the Oregon Trail Chapter of the American Red Cross. She was Clackamas County’s designated land use expert on the METRO’s Metropolitan Policy Advisory Committee (MPAC), and one of four voting members on Metro’s Regional Reserves Steering Committee.

Martha worked as a Chief Legislative Analyst for Kurt Schrader during his 7 years as a state representative. She has been a farmer, a school librarian, and a community grant writer.

She lives on Three Rivers Farm, a historic landmark outside of Canby. In her leisure time she enjoys going to the gym, gourmet cooking, entertaining, and visiting with her five adult children who live in various places across the country.

Share