Editor's note: This article was corrected to note that Morales was a member of the Gresham City Council, not Portland's.
Eddy Morales, a rising star in the Oregon political scene, is hoping to win the Democratic nomination for 3rd congressional district in the May 21 primary. If elected, Morales would be the first openly LGBTQ+ member of Congress from Oregon, and he received a significant boost toward that goal from the Human Rights Campaign’s political action committee.
“Eddy Morales has proven to be a passionate organizer and tireless champion for LGBTQ+ equality, reproductive freedom, affordable housing, voting rights, and all other issues critical to the greater progressive movement,” John Gruber, national campaigns director for the Human Rights Campaign, said in a statement. “He will no doubt apply the same energized fight to serving in what we expect will be a return to a pro-equality majority in the U.S. House next year.”
Morales is battling other Democratic contenders to succeed retiring Democratic Rep. Earl Blumenauer, who has represented the Portland-centered district since 1996.
Born and raised in Portland, Morales has always had a passion for public service and social justice. His commitment to helping others and creating positive change in his community has led him to a career in politics.
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Morales, the youngest of nine children, was born to a single mother from Mexico and was raised in poverty. He told The Outlook that he worked three jobs at 15 to support his family. “It was tough but not uncommon,” Morales said. “People still struggle to make a dollar stretch. Having grown up poor, my motivation is to help people facing the same challenges we did.”
Before moving to Portland, the family settled among migrant farmworkers in Woodburn, a mostly Latino community. In an interview with Roll Call, Morales said his family’s experience has shaped his perspective on the debates over immigration and border security unfolding in Congress. “A lot of us are really tired of people playing political football with our communities, our families,” he said.
Morales first entered the political arena as a community organizer, working to empower marginalized communities and advocate for policies that would benefit those most in need. His work on issues such as housing affordability, health care access, and racial equity quickly caught the attention of local leaders, who encouraged Morales to run for office.
In 2018, Morales successfully ran for a seat on the Gresham City Council, becoming the first Latinx member. Since taking office, Morales has been a strong voice for underserved communities, working to address systemic inequalities and improve the quality of life for all area residents.
One of Morales’ top priorities as a council member has been addressing the city’s affordable housing crisis. He has championed policies to increase affordable housing options, protect renters from eviction, and support programs that help low-income families find stable housing. Morales has also been a vocal advocate for police reform, pushing for accountability and transparency in law enforcement practices.
In addition to his work on the council, Morales is also a dedicated community leader. He volunteers with local organizations that support immigrant and refugee communities and mentors young people interested in politics and public service.
“As a member of the LGBTQ+ community and the son of a Mexican immigrant, his lived experiences are invaluable to accomplishing real, tangible change that can’t be more urgently needed in our current political moment. We look forward to mobilizing our forces, getting equality voters to the ballot box, and sending him to Washington to advocate for a more inclusive America,” said Gruber.
“For as long as I can remember, my communities have looked out for and supported me. I learned that none of us can do this work alone and that to succeed, we must always do it together — that is the energy I hope to bring to Congress,” said Morales on his campaign’s website.
A version of this article was first published April 4 by the Latino News Network.
