Shaunie Cousins

Shaunie Cousins earned a high school diploma from Spring Creek High School. Her career experience includes working as a consultant.[1]

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I’m Shaunie Cousins, a mother of eight in a blended family, a military wife, and a candidate for Oregon House District 34.

I know what it means to work hard, raise a family, and live with the consequences of decisions made by people far removed from everyday life.

My background in human services, healthcare policy, and regulatory work has shown me how often government fails the very people it is supposed to serve.

I’m running for office because Oregon cannot afford more of the same. Families need relief. Communities need safety. Parents deserve a stronger voice in education. Taxpayers deserve accountability. I’m running to restore trust, renew hope, and fight for the kind of leadership that puts Oregonians first.

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?

Accountability comes first. Before asking Oregonians for more, we need to take a hard look at how government is managing the money it already has. I will fight for transparency, responsible spending, and real oversight so taxpayers can trust that their dollars are being used effectively. Oregon should not be rewarding inefficiency or asking families to carry the burden of broken systems.Oregon families deserve relief. The cost of living is too high, and too many people feel like they’re falling behind. I will prioritize policies that make everyday life more affordable, support working families, and create conditions where small businesses and local communities can thrive. Government should make it easier to live and work in Oregon, not harder.Safer communities and stronger schools start with leadership that is willing to face reality. We need to restore public safety, support law enforcement, and ensure our education system is focused on real outcomes for students. Parents deserve a voice, and communities deserve systems that function. I will advocate for practical, results-driven solutions that put Oregon families first.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I am most passionate about fiscal accountability, affordability, public safety, and education. I believe in following every dollar, demanding transparency, and ensuring government is responsible with the money it already takes from taxpayers. Oregonians should not be asked to pay more for systems that are failing to deliver.

I care deeply about the cost of living and the pressure it places on families, workers, and small businesses. Government should focus on fixing what’s broken and creating conditions where people can actually get ahead.

I am also passionate about restoring public safety and strengthening education by focusing on real outcomes, parental involvement, and accountability at every level.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

I look up to people who lead with integrity and resilience, especially those who serve quietly and consistently in their families and communities. As a mother, much of what drives me comes from my children and the responsibility to lead by example. I respect leaders who are willing to tell the truth, ask hard questions, and stay focused on results rather than recognition. That is the kind of leadership I strive to model.

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

Integrity, accountability, and courage. An elected official should be honest, transparent, willing to ask hard questions, and focused on results. Public service is about serving the people, not protecting broken systems or preserving the status quo.

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

The core responsibilities are to represent constituents honestly, pass responsible legislation, and ensure government is accountable to the people it serves. That includes following every dollar, exercising strong oversight, and making decisions that prioritize affordability, public safety, and effective education. The role is to focus on results, not rhetoric, and to ensure government is working for the people, not against them.

What legacy would you like to leave?

I want to leave a legacy of restoring trust; proving that leadership can be honest, accountable, and focused on results. I want my children and my community to see that challenges don’t define us, they refine us, and that real change comes from the courage to stand up, speak out, and do the work.

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

My first job was in my dad’s machine shop, and I worked there throughout high school. While I mainly handled administrative tasks, I also learned a lot about gold mining, the machinery behind it, and even how to weld.

It was a unique way to grow up, and it taught me a lot about hard work, responsibility, and the value of learning skills from the ground up.

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

One of the greatest struggles in my life has been rebuilding after an abusive relationship and creating a stable, healthy path forward for my children and myself. It required courage, perseverance, and a deep commitment to breaking unhealthy cycles. That experience shaped my resilience, strengthened my sense of purpose, and continues to influence how I lead, serve, and advocate for others.

What do you believe is the ideal relationship between the governor and state legislature?

The ideal relationship between the governor and the legislature is collaborative but independent. Both have distinct roles, and both should serve as a check on the other. The legislature should not simply defer to the executive branch. Its responsibility is to ask hard questions, provide oversight, and ensure policies truly serve the people.

That relationship should be grounded in transparency, mutual respect, and a shared commitment to the public good rather than political agendas.

When both branches do their jobs well, it leads to better decisions, stronger policy, and greater public trust.

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

Oregon’s biggest challenges are affordability, lack of accountability, public safety, and declining trust in our institutions. Families are being priced out, communities don’t feel as safe as they should, and too many systems are underperforming without consequences.

If we don’t change course, these issues will compound. The next decade requires disciplined leadership that is willing to follow every dollar, fix what’s broken, and focus on outcomes that actually improve people’s daily lives.

Do you believe that compromise is necessary or desirable for policymaking?

Compromise can be necessary in policymaking, but it should never come at the expense of core principles or real outcomes. There’s a difference between working collaboratively to find solutions and agreeing to policies that don’t actually serve the people. I believe in being willing to work with others, but staying focused on results, accountability, and doing what’s right for the community.

What was the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember?

I remember watching the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster in my kindergarten classroom. It was one of the first moments I became aware that something significant and tragic was happening beyond my own world. It left a lasting impression on me and is still one of my earliest memories of a national event.