East Multnomah County voters have some decisions to make as to who will represent them in Salem.
Election Night Tuesday, Nov. 5, will include the race for House District 50, featuring incumbent Rep. Ricki Ruiz, D-Gresham, and a challenge by Paul Drechsler, the Republican nominee.
The Outlook reached out to all the candidates running for office in Salem.
Ruiz has lived in East Multnomah County his entire life. The 30-year-old works as the Community Services Coordinator for the city of Gresham,
He volunteers with SnowCap Community Charities, giving back to the nonprofit food pantry his family relied on when he was in elementary and middle school. He is a supporter of El Programa Hispano, who aided his parents since the 1980s when they worked on a farm, and he recently became involved with the Center for the Arts Foundation.
Ruiz first took office in 2020, taking the seat after his predecessor, Carla Piluso, decided not to seek reelection. He reclaimed his seat after the 2022 election. He is also a former Reynolds School Board member.