Lisa Fragala

Lisa Fragela earned a bachelor's degree from Binghamton University in 1990, a graduate degree from Oregon State University in 2001, and attended Lane Community College. Her career experience includes working for the United States Forest Service on the Endangered Species, as an educator for public K-12 schools and Pacific University in the College of Education.[1]

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Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I've lived in House District 8 for over 30 years and worked as an educator for close to 25. I'm an education champion, a community organizer & a housing advocate.

As an elementary teacher I've worked to improve learning outcomes for the next generation & advocated for investments in the resources students need to be successful. In my current role as a partnership coordinator at Pacific's College of Education, I'm working to solve the teacher shortage and dedicated to diversifying the teacher workforce.

I've serve on the Lane Community College Board of Education since 2018 and was the chair for 2 years during the Pandemic. At LCC, I'm bringing more resources to career & technical education and workforce development. I've championed the college's Community Benefits Agreement which provides for good paying jobs & full-family healthcare on bond projects.

I've served on the City of Eugene Planning Commission since 2018 and have been actively working to expand a stable affordable housing supply in our community. In this role, I make it a priority to advocate for solutions to address our community's climate crisis and support walkable and bike friendly community planning.

I’m inspired to run for this seat by a vision of working towards a better future for everyone and dedicated to making this community and all of Oregon a great place to live, work, play and raise a family.

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?

Oregon is facing a crisis due to a lack of stable and affordable housing. This is one of the most critical issues I’d work to address in Salem. We need state policies that align our housing supply to our community needs. In the legislature I'll work towards solutions that target diverse housing types, affordable rental opportunities, and pathways to homeownership. I will advocate for solutions that include climate friendly housing and strong engagement with local communities. Addressing the housing crisis includes finding solutions to support our unhoused community. I’ll create innovative programs that bring all levels of government together to address the homelessness crisis with housing opportunities and supportive services.As a public school teacher for more than 25 years, I know firsthand that our public schools are critical pathways to opportunity and cornerstones for preparing the next generation. I also know they need support. I’ve championed investments in the resources students need to be successful and I’ve been partnering with school districts to solve teacher shortages. We need to address class sizes and invest in staffing for schools, including specific opportunities for mental and behavioral health. I'll champion increased investments in early learning opportunities for students, including expanding early literacy efforts and social & emotional supports. It's time for universal preschool and I'll work to make this a reality.We need a strong local economy for working families and small businesses. At LCC, I’ve advocated for a workforce hub to create good paying jobs. In Salem, I will advocate for investments in job retraining and workforce opportunities. Homeownership remains a critical pathway to intergenerational wealth. I'll identify solutions that increase opportunities for first time home buyers. Investments in education are important strategies to increase economic mobility, and I will champion efforts in this area. We also need a more progressive tax system in Oregon to address income inequality and I'll make this a priority. As your representative I’ll identify opportunities to strengthen our local economy so everyone does better.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I'll fight for access to Healthcare for All Oregonians. Last year I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I fought hard to beat it and today I'm a strong breast cancer survivor. I'm thankful to the nurses & doctors who got me through this struggle. They work incredibly hard everyday in service to patients like me.

I know what it means to navigate a healthcare system with limited opportunities for care, that burns out healthcare workers, and is dominated by insurance companies. Corporations shouldn’t be able to make decisions for us about life saving care. I’ll fight for a healthcare system that prioritizes people & frontline workers not profits. This includes championing access to reproductive healthcare.

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

Integrity is the first thing that comes to mind as an important characteristic in an elected official. This is critical because constituents need to know they can count on you to be honest and follow through on your commitments. I also think it is important for elected officials to have compassion and a sense of humor. It is essential to be engaged and connected to your constituents as an elected official. This is something I've always worked to do. I have deep relationships in my community and I will continue to build on these as a state representative. We also need collaborative leaders who are solution oriented and can work on a variety of issues. There are so many complex challenges facing our state and there is no time to waste in finding positive outcomes for Oregon's communities. I also think that experience matters. I've served my community for over two decades, served on the Lane Community College Board of Education since 2018, and was the board's chair for two years during the pandemic. This experience means I have the policy experience to be ready to start on day one in Salem.

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

I was raised by a single mom and our family struggled to make ends meet. The thing that stands out most in my memory were the times when our family was homeless. I still remember what that uncertainty felt like as a child. As a classroom teacher I’ve seen up close how housing & food insecurity impacts the families I've worked with.

That’s why I’ve organized and advocated for investments in education, housing, and good paying jobs to make a difference in the lives of kids like me.

What do you perceive to be your state's greatest challenges over the next decade?

Through every single issue that is critical to our state, the economic vitality of our community, access to a strong education system, building a stable affordable housing supply, the climate crisis is something that needs to be considered and prioritized. It is not a single issue but one that encompasses everything we need to be thinking about.

I first moved to Oregon to work for the US Forest Service on the Endangered Species Program and have a degree in Environmental Sciences. I quickly fell in love with Oregon’s forests, wild spaces, and coastline like many Oregonians. Protecting these important resources will always be a priority for me.

I’ll keep fighting for climate friendly housing policy and the multi-modal transportation networks we need to tackle the climate crisis. In Salem I will prioritize solutions that bring people together and be a strong voice for a just transition. We need to ensure historically marginalized communities and working families have a seat at the table as we work towards a clean energy economy.

Are you interested in running for a different political office (for example, the U.S. Congress or governor) in the future?

This position is not a stepping stone for me. I am interested in serving the people in this community in the Oregon Legislature for many years. I'm dedicated to work towards making Oregon a great place for everyone to live, work, play and raise a family.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

Congresswoman Val Hoyle

Former Congressman Peter DeFazio

State Representative Paul Holvey

State Senator Floyd Prozanski

County Commissioners Laurie Trieger & Heather Buch

Eugene Mayor Lucy Vinis

Former Mayor Kitty Piercy

Oregon League of Conservation Voters (OLCV)

Oregon Education Association (OEA)

Oregon AFL-CIO

Oregon AFSCME

Oregon Nurses Association (ONA)

Young Democrats of Oregon

Oregon Trial Lawyers Association (OTLA)

Eugene Education Association

LCC Education Association

Lane Professional Fire Fighters 851

Western States Carpenters

Ironworkers Local 29

IBEW 280

Plumbers and Pipefitters UA290

Lane, Coos, Curry, Douglas Building Trades

Lane County Central Labor Chapter AFL-CIO

Eugene Tenant Alliance

What committees interest you?

I'm interested in serving on the House Education Committee. I can bring both a higher education and a K-12 background to the state legislature with me. My service as an elected leader means I have the experience and skills needed to get things done in Salem. I’ll continue standing up for a Strong Education System for all Oregonians at all levels. It’s a critical pathway to opportunity and I will champion investments in the resources, support and staffing all students & all employees need to be successful.

I'd also be interested in serving on the House Business and Labor Committee. I’ll fight for a fair economy for all families. No one should have to decide between paying rent and putting food on the table. Oregon's workers need access to good paying jobs, pay equity, and workplace safety. Small businesses need both state and local government to help them build back from the impacts of the COVID pandemic. I’m committed to building an economy that benefits working families and small businesses.

I'd also be interested in committees that allow me to make a difference on housing advocacy and healthcare since I passionate about both of these issues.

What are your views on financial transparency and government accountability?

I am a strong supporter of financial transparency and government accountability. Oregonians need to be well informed about how government is functioning, especially when it comes to the state's budgeting process. It is also important that stakeholders and community members are engaged with and have access to a strong public input process to inform decision making in both their local and state government. My views on financial transparency and government accountability also include supporting some of the recent changes that the state legislature made to campaign finance reform in the 2024 legislative session.