Blayne Soleymani-Pearson (Washington County Commissioner, District 2, Oregon, candidate 2026)

Blayne Soleymani-Pearson (Democratic Party) is running for election to Washington County Commissioner, District 2 in Oregon.^[1]

Elections

2026

Ballotpedia survey responses

Blayne Soleymani-Pearson completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Soleymani-Pearson's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

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Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I live in the Cedar Mill area with my wife, Nilofar, and our two children, and we’ve proudly called Washington County our home for nearly 12 years. I currently serve as a Deputy District Attorney, and for the last two years, I have worked as a domestic violence prosecutor. It’s a role I am deeply committed to, and I am grateful for the opportunity to fight for justice for some of the most vulnerable members of our community.

Before practicing law, I worked in the local real estate market, at Apple, and as a waiter. These experiences grounded me in the everyday lives and challenges of the people who make this county what it is. I earned my law degree from Georgetown University Law Center and my undergraduate degree from Portland State University.

When I’m not working, my family and I usually enjoy taking walks around our beautiful neighborhood, visiting our nearby parks, the zoo, or venturing out to the coast. I have really enjoyed learning to play guitar, though I’ll be the first to admit my skills are a work in progress. I am an avid reader (books and audiobooks), catching up on my favorite TV shows, and learning Persian (Farsi).

Washington County has given my family so much, and I want it to feel like home for every family, a place where neighbors support each other, and everyone has a chance to thrive. Our local business community is vital to achieving this goal, which is why I am seeking your endorsement

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

As Commissioner, my goal is to make overall living costs affordable by focusing on both housing supply and household financial stability. I will lead the effort to fundamentally change zoning rules to allow for greater diversity and supply of housing, including mixed-use developments, triplexes, duplexes, and tiny home pods. This is the most practical way the County can increase supply and reduce costs for the long term. I will champion the continuation of downpayment assistance programs to promote homeownership, expand that program to renters, and implement targeted rental and mortgage emergency assistance to help those impacted by major layoffs. I will advocate for universal Pre-K and/or daycare access.
We must stop asking officers to do the job of social workers. I will invest in Mental Health Response Teams (MHRT) that utilize non-sworn clinicians for non-dangerous calls, freeing up our deputies for core crime issues and ensuring individuals in crisis receive the appropriate clinical care. I will secure greater investment in victim assistance, shelters, and transition homes to provide safe pathways and necessary support for survivors leaving dangerous situations. The success of our justice system depends on retaining quality staff. I will advocate for investment and pay parity for parole and probation to help ensure the success of individuals on probation.
I will lead the effort to strategically expand the number of electric charging stations throughout the county, helping residents and businesses transition to cleaner, sustainable transportation options that reduce our carbon footprint. will champion funding for essential sidewalks, particularly in the unincorporated areas of our county where safety is most compromised. Furthermore, I will push for greater transit connectivity and the installation of covered bus stops to improve the dignity and reliability of our public transit system. My legal background provides the discipline to ensure our infrastructure investments are transparent and accountable. I will fight for policies that guarantee the efficient use of county resources.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Economic policies that strengthen the poor and working classes gain more security. Civil rights policies that protect our residents and demand that our leaders fight back against federal government overreach.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Integrity, courage, and a desire to serve others.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

Providing the most benefit to the most people and reducing harm as much as possible.

What qualities does this office possess that makes it a unique and important part of the state government and legal system?

Washington County specifically, has such a huge amount of unicorporated land, that it takes on the role that cities take on in most other parts of the state and country. This unique feature means that the county commisioners are in a unique situation to directly benefit people's lives in a way that other counties may not be able to do.

Do you believe that it's beneficial for holders of this office to have previous experience in government or politics?

Knowledge of how law functions and how laws impact people are more important than previous experience in government.

What kind of skills or expertise do you believe would be the most helpful for the holders of this office to possess?

Currently, this board does not have a renter or an attorney. I think these two unique perspecives would help provide fresh new perspectives to Washington County's problems.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

I sold popcorn and ice cream at a theme park. I worked there for a copule summers in high school.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

I vaguely remember Desert Storm happening when I was very young. But the first, most impactful historical event that ocurred in my lifetime was 9/11. I was in 10th grade and I still remember sitting watching the coverage before going to school.

What legacy would you like to leave?

I would like my children to be proud to call Washington County their home. I would like the residents of Washington County to know that I fought for them against the federal government when ICE was raiding our homes.

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

Watching my mom be abused by her then-husband when I was around 3 or 4 is one of my earliest memories. That incident, and the continuous abuse my mother faced throughout my childhood, shaped who I am today. More recently, losing my mom unexpectedly to Diabetes was the most gut-wrenching experience of my life.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

Multnomah County Prosecuting Attorneys Association, Mari Watanabe - Oregon Rep HD 34, Lesly Muñoz - Oregon Rep HD 22, Travis Nelson - Oregon Rep HD 44, Nadia Hasan - Beaverton City Councilor, Jamie Dunphy - PDX City Councilor Dist 1, Kipperlyn Sinclair - Hillsboro City Councilor, Barbie Minor - THPRD, Mai Vang - Salem City Councilor Ward 6

What is an accomplishment that you are proud of?

Hands down, being a dad. I knew I was going to love it, but it is even better than I could have ever imagined.

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