Raquel Moore-Green has been picked to become the next state representative of southeast Salem and portions of western Marion County.
The Marion County Board of Commissioners chose Moore-Green on Tuesday morning to succeed Rep. Denyc Boles, who last month was named to take over the Senate seat of late Sen. Jackie Winters.
Moore-Green, who runs her own consulting business, won out over two other candidates: Becky Mitts, chief of staff for state Rep. Mike Nearman, R-Independence; and Brad Nanke, a Salem City Councilor for nearly two decades.
She won each of the three Marion County commissioners’ votes, who all noted the importance of picking a candidate they felt could strongly campaign in a general election.
“I thought Raquel, frankly, ran the best campaign,” said Commissioner Colm Willis. “To a certain extent, this is a tryout. What kind of campaign are you going to run in the fall? And you ran a very good campaign.”
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Commissioner Kevin Cameron said he has seen Moore-Green’s qualifications first hand. The two have worked together on his campaigns since 2010, back when he held the seat in question. Cameron served as a representative from 2005 to 2014, before starting his stint at Marion County.
“Everybody here knows that I’ve known you, you’ve actually worked with me since 2010. Actually I’ve worked for you, to be truthful,” Cameron said.
Commissioner Sam Brentano said all three candidates scored well in his eyes, being conservative Republicans who are pro-life, pro-Second Amendment, representative of their constituents and could strongly campaign in a general election.
“You hear that every time ‘Oh any one of you,’ but I really mean it. You’re all acceptable and I think would be competent in the position,” he said.
During her interview, Moore-Green touted her relationships with disparate community groups.
“The time is right for me to step up and lead,” Moore-Green said during the hourlong interview with commissioners. “I have relationships throughout the business, faith, municipal, nonprofit and political communities. I’ve demonstrated time and again my ability to listen, to participate in strategies and solutions, and to persevere when the going gets tough.”
After being picked, Moore-Green told Salem Reporter she was elated.
“I am honored, I am privileged and I’m incredibly humbled by the whole process.”
Moore-Green said she plans to get started by reaching out to mayors in various cities in western Marion County to hear their thoughts on important regional issues.
Have a tip? Contact reporter Troy Brynelson at 503-575-9930, [email protected] or @TroyWB.
