- What does integrity mean to you, and how would you build public trust?
Integrity means doing the right thing even when no one is watching — and sticking to your word when it’s hard. I believe public trust is earned through transparency, consistency, and personal accountability. I’ve spent the past five years on the Yamhill County Budget Committee and currently serve as an elected board member for the Chehalem Parks and Recreation District. In both roles, I’ve built a reputation for asking hard questions, standing by my principles, and showing up for the work, not for the spotlight. I’ve also knocked on nearly 4,500 doors across the county to have real conversations with residents — because trust is built person to person. - Can you provide examples of working with political opponents, and how do you compromise?
Yes. On the CPRD board, we’ve had spirited debates on how to use donated land for recreation — including differing views about balancing hiking, equestrian, and biking uses. I voted to remove mountain biking from one park, not because I opposed it, but because honoring the donor’s intent mattered more in that case. Afterward, I advocated to find alternative spaces where biking could work. That’s how I approach disagreement: listen, find the shared goal, and look for solutions that honor everyone’s interests. I’ve worked alongside people of every political stripe. I focus on common ground and leave labels at the door. - What impact do you hope for during your term?
I want to bring practical, people-first leadership to the Commissioner’s office — someone who listens, solves problems, and shows up. I hope to strengthen core county services like public safety, roads, and parks — and I want to help the county find new ways to generate revenue without raising or introducing new taxes. One idea I’ve proposed is a year-round amphitheater at the Yamhill County Fairgrounds that could host concerts, festivals, and events, bringing in sustainable revenue to support services like dog control, parks development, and community safety. I want to be remembered as the commissioner who worked harder than anyone and always put the county first. - Learning from the past, what would you like to see happening in the future and why?
From the past, I’ve learned that public policy must balance ambition with real-world constraints. I’ve also learned that clear, early communication with the public builds trust even when outcomes are disappointing. In the future, I want to see more proactive planning — especially around facilities, infrastructure, and parks — so that we aren’t reacting to crises, but building toward sustainability. That’s why I supported $100,000 in county funding for a Parks Master Plan — because good planning opens the door to future success. I’ve also seen how the prudent fiscal decisions of past county commissioners have made a difference in Yamhill County’s affordability. Our county has a lower cost of living overall than neighboring Metro counties due to past Boards that resisted tax hikes and risky grants, but instead focused on core services, balancing needs, and prioritizing savings. Those decisions have enabled Yamhill County to weather many economic ups and downs and have protected families and seniors living on fixed incomes. Going forward, we need a Board that continues this tradition of fiscal restraint and respect for Yamhill County taxpayers. - How would you handle the issue of homelessness?
Homelessness is complex, and there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. But I believe in addressing it from the standpoint of human dignity and community safety. I support working with service providers to expand transitional housing, mental health resources, and recovery programs. But I also believe cities and counties need to be empowered to enforce time, place, and manner restrictions to protect public spaces. I believe we need to distinguish between people who are down on their luck and trying to get back on their feet — and those choosing lawlessness and addiction without accountability. The county can and should be a strong partner in both compassion and public order. - How would you handle pressure from major donors or special interest groups that might conflict with your constituents’ best interests?
I’ve been very clear from the beginning: I don’t sign pledges that give away my decision-making authority. I’ve been pressured in the past to commit to positions that weren’t right for the county, and I refused — publicly. That kind of pressure doesn’t sway me. My loyalty is to the people who live and work here, not outside groups or political machines. I will work for the taxpayers, not for interest groups. - Where do you see yourself four years from now?
Four years from now, I hope I’m wrapping up a first term where I’ve made real progress on fiscal stability, public trust, and strengthening the services that people count on every day — law enforcement, public health, infrastructure, and parks. I hope I’ve made headway on bringing in creative revenue streams without new taxes. And most of all, I hope people say: “Jason showed up. He worked hard. He kept his word.” - Who or what inspires you? What makes you do what you want to do?
I was raised in poverty, spent time in foster care, and started working at age 10. I’ve had to earn every step forward in my life, with no shortcuts and no favors. That upbringing gave me a deep respect for personal responsibility and community support. What inspires me is the idea that someone like me — who didn’t grow up with connections or resources — can stand up and fight for others in a real, meaningful way. I want to make life better for the people who’ve never had a voice in the process. - Where do your beliefs come from? Family? Faith? Culture? Work?
My beliefs are shaped by a lifetime of hard work, struggle, and community. I’ve worked in the trades, built a business from scratch, and supported my family through sheer persistence. My faith grounds me, and my love for this county drives me. I’ve seen how government can either help or hinder everyday people — and I’m running to make it more helpful, more accountable, and more focused on the basics. - Do you think we have any words or phrases that divide Yamhill County, and do you think we have any communicative information that can bring Yamhill County together?
Unfortunately, phrases like “urban vs. rural,” “progressive vs. conservative,” or “status quo vs. change” can quickly divide our community if we’re not careful. But what unites us is far greater. People across the county care about safety, affordability, fairness, and opportunity for their families. What brings us together is authentic communication — not sound bites, but real conversations. That’s why I’ve knocked on nearly 4,500 doors. Because we don’t solve anything unless we listen to each other. - Are there people in other counties and cities where you can talk about how they handled similar issues and the success of their decisions?
Yes — one of the advantages of serving as a county commissioner in Oregon is being part of the Association of Oregon Counties (AOC). Through AOC, commissioners regularly engage with counterparts from across the state to share challenges, solutions, and strategies that work. Whether it’s budget issues, homelessness, land use, or economic development, AOC offers a deep well of institutional knowledge and peer support that commissioners can lean on. In addition, Yamhill County Commissioners have established a liaison system, where each commissioner is assigned to attend certain city council and community meetings throughout the county. This helps keep lines of communication open between county and city governments — and offers constant opportunities to hear what’s working in other jurisdictions. Commissioners also maintain close contact with state legislators, who are valuable partners in shaping and responding to policy challenges at the local level. The combination of local collaboration, regional networks, and statewide access ensures that no commissioner has to face big decisions in isolation — and I would absolutely use those resources to make informed, thoughtful choices. - How do you define leadership, and how do you compare yourself with that description?
Leadership is showing up, making the hard decisions, and taking responsibility — even when it’s not popular. It’s listening more than you talk, and being willing to shift strategies when something isn’t working. I believe I’ve modeled that. I’ve done the work on the ground — knocking doors, showing up to every budget meeting, asking tough questions, and standing for fiscal responsibility. But I’ve also shown heart — from singing for seniors in our assisted living facilities to listening to families struggling to make ends meet. That’s leadership — grounded, humble, and focused on the people.
Jason Fields
Candidate
WE Endorse
Bio
Prior Government Experience
Yamhill County Budget Committee, Appointed Member, 2021-Current
Chehalem Park & Recreation District, Elected Board Member, 2023-Current
Precinct Committeeperson
Endorsements
House Minority Leader, State Representative Lucetta Elmer
State Representative Anna Scharf
Senate Minority Leader, State Senator Bruce Starr
Yamhill County Chair, Commissioner Kit Johnston
Yamhill County Commissioner Mary Starrett
Former Yamhill County Commissioner Lindsay Berschauer
Key Issues
Key priorities include maintaining the policies of fiscal restraint and savings of past Boards of Commissioners, supporting the redevelopment of the county fairgrounds and building an amphitheater for year-round events that generate revenue to fund parks, dog control and other services without dedicated funding streams, prioritizing public safety budgets, defending private property rights and local control policies, and improving communication of county practices with residents.
