Kathleen Taylor (politician)

For other uses, see Kathleen Taylor.

Kathleen Taylor (born 1966/1967)^[1] is an American politician currently serving in the Oregon State Senate. A Democrat, she was first elected to the Oregon House of Representatives in 2014 and to the Oregon State Senate in 2016. She represents Senate district 21, which covers part of southeast Portland and its suburbs, including Milwaukie. She lives in Portland.^[2]

Kathleen Taylor
Member of the Oregon Senate from the 21st district
Incumbent
Assumed office January 9, 2017
Preceded by	Diane Rosenbaum
Majority Leader of the Oregon Senate
In office July 15, 2024 – November 16, 2024
Preceded by	Kate Lieber
Succeeded by	Kayse Jama
Member of the Oregon House of Representatives from the 41st district
In office January 2015 – January 9, 2017
Preceded by	Carolyn Tomei
Succeeded by	Karin Power
Personal details
Born	1966 or 1967 (age 57–58)
Political party	Democratic
Education	University of Wisconsin, Madison (BA) Rutgers University, New Brunswick (MPP)
Signature

Professional experience

Taylor is an auditor by trade. She has worked as an auditor for the city of Portland, Multnomah County, and the state of Oregon. She holds a master's degree in public policy from Rutgers University in New Jersey.^[3]

Political career

Taylor was first elected after defeating former Milwaukie city councilor Deborah Barnes in the Democratic primary election on May 20, 2014. She was endorsed by outgoing Representative Carolyn Tomei and Oregon Governor John Kitzhaber in her race against Barnes.^[4]

Taylor was elected Senate Majority Leader in a Democratic caucus meeting on June 17, 2024 and served as leader from July 15 to November 16.^[5][6]

Electoral history

2014 Oregon State Representative, 41st district^[7]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Kathleen Taylor	18,845	70.5
	Republican	Timothy E McMenamin	7,774	29.1
	Write-in		117	0.4
Total votes			26,736	100%

2016 Oregon State Senator, 21st district^[8]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Kathleen Taylor	54,520	76.7
	Progressive	James Ofsink	10,390	14.6
	Libertarian	Josh Howard	5,852	8.2
	Write-in		322	0.5
Total votes			71,084	100%

2020 Oregon State Senator, 21st district^[9]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Kathleen Taylor	71,543	97.6
	Write-in		1,769	2.4
Total votes			73,312	100%

2024 Oregon State Senator, 21st district^[10]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Kathleen Taylor	58,422	98.0
	Write-in		1,174	2.0
Total votes			59,596	100%