Julia Ann Brim-Edwards (born September 5, 1961) is an American businesswoman and politician. She has served as a county commissioner for Multnomah County, Oregon since June 12, 2023,[1] representing district 3. She has also served on the Portland Public Schools Board of Education since 2017, where she previously served as board chair from 2001 to 2005.[3] In 2016 she was appointed to the Oregon State University Board of Trustees.[2] Prior to 2022 Brim-Edwards worked as a senior director at Nike.[4]
Julia Brim-Edwards | |
|---|---|
| Multnomah County Commissioner | |
| Assumed office June 12, 2023[1] | |
| Preceded by | Jessica Vega Pederson |
| Constituency | 3rd district |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Julia Ann Brim September 5, 1961 [citation needed] |
| Spouse | Randall Edwards[2] |
| Children | 3[2] |
| Education | Oregon State University (BA)[2] |
Early life and education edit
Brim-Edwards grew up in Mt Tabor and attended Glencoe Elementary and Washington-Monroe High School.[3] She played six sports as a high school athlete and was inducted into the Portland Interscholastic League Hall of Fame in 2015.[3]
Career edit
Portland Public School Board edit
On September 5, 2023, the school board unanimously passed a resolution introduced by Brim-Edwards to take control of the Grant High School field and expedite repairs to its damaged artificial turf.[5] The field, owned by the Portland parks bureau, had been abruptly closed just days before the start of the school year, prompting significant criticism from parents.[5]
Multnomah County Commissioner edit
In July 2023 Brim-Edwards opposed a plan by the county health department to distribute tin foil and straws to fentanyl users, stating "there is no compelling evidence that it is comparable to safe needle exchanges or that the county currently has capacity to connect individuals to treatment who want it".[6] The plan was suspended by chair Vega Pederson three days after it was first reported.[7]
In September 2023 Brim-Edwards criticized a decision to replace the county's former sobering center, which closed in 2020, with a stabilization center intended for longer-term treatment.[8] Unlike the previous center, which accepted drop offs from first responders and was often described as a "drunk tank", the replacement would provide 30–60 days of transitional housing and stabilization treatment for patients leaving other sobering programs.[8] Brim-Edwards emphasized the need for a new crisis treatment center, arguing that the original sobering center had seen over 5,000 patients during its final year in 2019.[8]
Personal life edit
Brim-Edwards and her husband, Randall Edwards, raised their three children in Southeast Portland where they both volunteer in the classroom and in school athletics.[2]
Electoral history edit
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nonpartisan | Julia Brim-Edwards | 20,389 | 55.64% | |
| Nonpartisan | Ana del Rocío | 13,686 | 37.35% | |
| Nonpartisan | Albert Kaufman | 2,346 | 6.40% | |
| Other | Write-ins | 223 | 0.61% | |
| Total votes | 36,644 | 100.00% | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nonpartisan | Julia Brim-Edwards | 75,279 | 80.69% | |
| Nonpartisan | Mathew (Max) Margolis | 10,866 | 11.65% | |
| Nonpartisan | Libby Glynn | 6,615 | 7.09% | |
| Other | Write-ins | 530 | 0.57% | |
| Total votes | 93,290 | 100.00% | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nonpartisan | Julia Brim-Edwards | 63,356 | 67.11% | |
| Nonpartisan | Trisha D Parks | 15,087 | 15.98% | |
| Nonpartisan | Joseph L Simonis | 8,005 | 8.48% | |
| Nonpartisan | David Morrison | 2,889 | 3.06% | |
| Nonpartisan | Ed Bos | 2,446 | 2.59% | |
| Nonpartisan | Zach Babb | 2,063 | 2.19% | |
| Other | Write-ins | 565 | 0.60% | |
| Total votes | 94,411 | 100.00% | ||
References edit
- ^ a b "Julia Brim-Edwards sworn in as District 3 Commissioner". 14 June 2023. Archived from the original on 14 June 2023. Retrieved 7 August 2023.
- ^ a b c d e "Julia Brim-Edwards". 8 June 2023. Archived from the original on 2 July 2023. Retrieved 7 August 2023.
- ^ a b c "Board of Education / Julia Brim-Edwards". Archived from the original on 2023-03-06. Retrieved 2023-08-07.
- ^ Jaquiss, Nigel (16 February 2023). "Julia Brim-Edwards Officially Enters Race for County Commission". Wilammette Week. Archived from the original on 22 March 2023. Retrieved August 6, 2023.
- ^ a b Lucas, Manfield (July 10, 2023). "Two County Commissioners Demand Health Department Delay Plans to Distribute Foil to Fentanyl Smokers". Willamette Week. Archived from the original on July 28, 2023. Retrieved October 1, 2023.
- ^ Lucas, Manfield (July 10, 2023). "Two County Commissioners Demand Health Department Delay Plans to Distribute Foil to Fentanyl Smokers". Willamette Week. Archived from the original on July 28, 2023. Retrieved October 1, 2023.
- ^ Manfield, Lucas (July 10, 2023). "Multnomah County Reverses Plans to Distribute Foil to Fentanyl Smokers". Willamette Week. Archived from the original on July 28, 2023. Retrieved October 1, 2023.
- ^ a b c Parfitt, Jamie; Dooris, Pat (September 27, 2023). "Some Multnomah County commissioners displeased with proposed replacement for Portland's long-shuttered sobering center". KGW. Archived from the original on October 2, 2023. Retrieved October 1, 2023.
- ^ "Multnomah County Election Results - Update #12" (PDF). Multnomah County. May 16, 2023. Archived (PDF) from the original on August 7, 2023. Retrieved August 7, 2023.
- ^ "Oregon Secretary of State". Oregon Secretary of State. June 17, 2021. Archived from the original on August 16, 2022. Retrieved August 6, 2023.
- ^ "Multnomah County Election Results - Update #7" (PDF). Multnomah Count. May 16, 2017. Archived (PDF) from the original on August 7, 2023. Retrieved August 7, 2023.