Nafisa Fai, a current Washington County commissioner, is running for the at-large seat on the Washington County Board of Commissioners in the Nov. 3, 2026, general election. The nonpartisan race also includes Pam Treece.
Fai has served as the District 1 commissioner since 2021. According to the county's board of commissioners page, she made history in 2020 as the first Black and first Muslim commissioner elected to the board. On her campaign website, Fai said she wants to invest in housing, transportation and community safety while making county government more transparent.
Candidate information
- Name: Nafisa Fai
- Race: Washington County Commission - At Large
- Party: Nonpartisan
- Residence: Aloha, Oregon
- Education: Portland State University
- Endorsements: John Kitzhaber, Oregon Working Families Party, The Mother PAC, Washington County Democrats, Oregon League of Conservation Voters
Experience and public service
Fai is a refugee from Somalia who has lived in Oregon for approximately 30 years, according to the county's commissioner page. She is president of Gaston Sales, Inc., a small business based in Beaverton, and founded the Pan African Festival.
Before joining the commission, Fai worked in public health. She served as a chronic disease prevention program manager at Upstream Public Health from 2014 to 2017 and as a program coordinator at the Multnomah County Health Department from 2010 to 2014. She also worked as a laboratory technician at the American Red Cross from 2003 to 2011.
On the issues
The following positions are based on Fai's responses on her campaign priorities page and through a questionnaire.
Housing: Fai said she would increase housing supply by streamlining permitting and allowing more diverse housing options. She said she would expand workforce housing so essential workers can live where they work and invest in energy efficiency and utility assistance to lower monthly bills.
Transportation: Fai said she supports investing in safer roads and sidewalks, expanding bus routes and centering housing and employment opportunities around transit lines. She said the transportation system should work for everyone, not just those who own a car.
Public safety: Fai said she wants the county to invest in community safety teams composed of trained mental health professionals, medics and peer responders. She said law enforcement officers are often sent to situations better handled by experts in mental health, addiction or trauma.
Economy: Fai said she would cut red tape by speeding up permits and simplifying regulations. She said she supports small business growth and equity-centered programs that create good-paying, green jobs and expand workforce training.
Budget: Fai said she would strengthen oversight and improve public access to budget information. She said she would explore ways to increase revenue without overburdening taxpayers, including updating service fees and considering local option levies for public safety and libraries.
Responses are based on public data and answers to a Surround Sound Media questionnaire if they were provided.
