Julia Brim-Edwards

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 byJessica Vega Pederson
Constituency3rd district
Personal details
Born
Julia Ann Brim

(1961-09-05)September 5, 1961
SpouseRandall Edwards[2]
Children3[2]
EducationOregon State University (BA)[2]

Early life and education

Brim-Edwards grew up in Mt Tabor and attended Glencoe Elementary and Washington-Monroe High School.[3] She played 6 sports as a high school athlete and was inducted into the Portland Interscholastic League Hall of Fame in 2015.[3]

Career

Portland Public School Board

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

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 3 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

Brim-Edwards and her husband, Randall Edwards, raised their 3 children in Southeast Portland where they both volunteer in the classroom and in school athletics.[2]

Electoral history
2023 Multnomah County Commission District 3 Special Election[9]
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%
2021 Portland Public Schools Board of Education Zone 6[10]
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%
2017 Portland Public Schools Board of Education Zone 6[11]
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
  1. "Julia Brim-Edwards sworn in as District 3 Commissioner". 14 June 2023. Archived from the original on 14 June 2023. Retrieved 7 August 2023.
  2. "Julia Brim-Edwards". 8 June 2023. Archived from the original on 2 July 2023. Retrieved 7 August 2023.
  3. "Board of Education / Julia Brim-Edwards". Archived from the original on 2023-03-06. Retrieved 2023-08-07.
  4. Jaquiss, Nigel (16 February 2023). "ulia Brim-Edwards Officially Enters Race for County Commission". Wilammette Week. Archived from the original on 22 March 2023. Retrieved August 6, 2023.
  5. 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.
  6. 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.
  7. 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.
  8. 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.
  9. "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.
  10. "Oregon Secretary of State". Oregon Secretary of State. June 17, 2021. Archived from the original on August 16, 2022. Retrieved August 6, 2023.
  11. "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.
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