Willy Chotzen

Willy Chotzen was born in Ashland, Oregon. He earned a bachelor's degree from the Washington University in St. Louis in 2013 and a law degree from Harvard Law School in 2019.

His career experience includes working as a public defender.[1]

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I am a dad, an optimist, and a problem solver. Born in Ashland, Oregon, I’ve spent my adult life fighting for equity and working to uplift communities around me as a public school teacher and as a public defender.

I see that many of our systems are broken, but I believe that we can solve big problems by working together. I am honored to represent House District 46 and work toward a brighter future for Oregon.

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?

Our economy should be centered around people, not big corporations. In the legislature, I’ve combatted wage theft, ensured businesses pay their fair share of taxes, and protected homes from being bought by Wall Street investors.

I will fight for everyone’s right to earn a living wage, afford a home, access healthcare, and take time for their loved ones. Through supporting unions and fair labor standards, I will fight for a future of economic justice where opportunity is not limited by zip code or background.Education is one of the most powerful tools for a well-functioning democracy and thriving economy, and it remains the highest return on investments of government dollars. As a former teacher, I know that Oregon’s future requires every Oregonian to have the right to a high quality and free education. I am working urgently to improve Oregon’s educational outcomes by consciously investing in our education and youth—prioritizing what works and creatively solving what doesn’t.In 2026, I led the legislature’s federal response and immigrant justice package to protect our communities from harmful and hateful federal overreach. I helped pass laws that require ICE agents to unmask; alert families of ICE presence on school campuses; strengthen protections for reproductive healthcare; allow Oregonians to sue federal agents who break into their homes; strengthen anti-discrimination laws; and more.

Two more years of the Trump administration means more attacks on our state, our values, and our democracy. I am continuing to lead our work to protect Oregonians’ civil rights.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I care deeply about criminal justice reform, increasing affordability, protecting privacy, strengthening public education, and defending our democracy.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

I have received endorsements from the Oregon Labor Federation, Oregon Education Association, Portland Association of Teachers, Oregon School Employees Association, American Federation of Teachers, Pro-Animal Oregon, AFSCME, SEIU, Sierra Club, OLCV, Ron Wyden, and Jeff Merkley.

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I am a dad, a public defender, and a former public school teacher. I'm running to represent House District 46 to create a brighter, more equitable Oregon.

Born in Ashland, I'm a lifelong Democrat who has always chosen public service over personal gain.

As a middle school math teacher at an under-resourced public school, I worked with students in historically marginalized communities. Watching firsthand as hard-working, good-hearted kids struggled to rise above their circumstances, I learned what a difference it makes if students can access the support they need.

Hoping to make a difference at a broader level, I attended Harvard Law School and worked at a legal aid clinic to fight evictions, wage theft, and foreclosures for families who couldn’t afford a lawyer. After graduation, I passed up private practice to return home to Oregon to join Portland’s Public Defender Office, where I serve as a chief attorney today.

Working on the front lines of Portland’s public safety, addiction, mental health, and homelessness crises, I know how our system is failing both vulnerable people and working families. Building a more equitable, safe, and just community is possible, but it will take leaders who understand the complexity and urgency of the challenge.

I’m ready to rise to that challenge, and I hope to become the next State Representative for HD 46.

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?

I WILL EXPAND ACCESS TO MENTAL HEALTH CARE AND ADDICTION TREATMENT. Oregon currently ranks last in the country in access to treatment and we are in the midst of a devastating addiction and overdose crisis. As a public defender, I work to help my clients access mental health and addiction treatment. Many clients sit for months in jail or on our streets waiting for healthcare and help because there are no treatment beds available. I’ll work to increase investments in behavioral health infrastructure and workforce development to ensure that Oregonians have access to mental health and addiction treatment facilities that are fully staffed by highly qualified compassionate individuals.I WILL ADDRESS HOMELESSNESS AND SUPPORT CONSTRUCTION OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING. Oregon has been underbuilding housing for decades and is increasingly unaffordable. We have systematically failed thousands of Oregonians who are forced to live on the streets every single day. I have fought to keep families in their homes by defending against foreclosures and evictions. As a public defender, I have extensive experience helping clients transition from homelessness into shelters and pathways to long-term stability. We need to significantly increase the rate of construction of affordable housing so that we can start seeing housing prices lower. I believe every person in Oregon deserves to have a roof over their head.I WILL ENSURE A WORLD-CLASS PUBLIC EDUCATION FOR EVERY CHILD. The Oregon public education system is dramatically underfunded. Many families struggle to access early childhood education, and higher education costs continue to rise. I started my career as a 6th grade math teacher in a public middle school. I saw the inequity created by disinvestment in public schools, and I saw the difference that a great education makes. My wife is a career educator. We need to increase our funding for public education while ensuring those dollars go directly to supporting teachers and students. Our kids deserve to have access to the resources they need- from cradle to career- to have a fair shot at a brighter future.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I am passionate about public education and improving our legal systems. I am passionate about pursuing economic justice, racial justice, and climate justice.

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

Integrity, Vision, Accountability, Transparency, Coalition-Building, Listening, and Creative Problem-Solving.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

I pair relentless optimism with detail-oriented pragmatism. I can listen deeply, creatively problem-solve, and build broad coalitions to deliver substantive results.

What legacy would you like to leave?

I would like to make Oregon a more fair place, where every person has the support and opportunity to thrive. I want to be part of Oregon's movement toward racial justice, climate justice, and economic justice.

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

My first job was scooping ice cream at Ben & Jerry's.

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

Baby Beluga by Raffi. My three-year-old is obsessed!

Do you believe that it’s beneficial for state legislators to have previous experience in government or politics?

I believe experience is crucial to being an effective leader and advocate, but we should look for leaders with on-the-ground experience in the systems we are trying to improve. I believe my experience as a public school teacher and as a public defender have given me a unique and valuable perspective on the urgency, opportunity, and details of improving our public education and public safety systems.

Do you believe it’s beneficial to build relationships with other legislators? Please explain your answer.

Absolutely! Nothing important can get done alone. I have a deeply relational approach to leadership and plan to build broad coalitions to improve the lives of Oregonians.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum, Incumbent HD 46 Representative Khanh Pham, Oregon League of Conservation Voters, Oregon Education Association PAC, Portland Association of Teachers, Oregon AFL-CIO, APANO Action Fund, Oregon AFSCME, Oregon Building Trades Council, Ironworkers Local 29, IBEW Local 48, UFCW 555, LiUNA, SMART Local 16, PCUN, East County Rising, Working Families Party, Bernie PDX, Next Up Action Fund, The Street Trust Action Fund, Sunrise PDX, Metro Councilor Duncan Hwang; State Representatives Hoa Nguyen, Mark Gamba, Zach Hudson, Tom Andersen, Farrah Chaichi, and many other local and state leaders!

What committees interest you?

Judiciary, Early Childhood and Human Services, Education, and Housing and Homelessness.

What are your views on financial transparency and government accountability?

I strongly support financial transparency and accountability. Our leaders and government should be accountable to our communities.