Cribbins release, Nov. 19 – Coos County Commissioner to Seek Senate Seat Representing Oregon’s Coast – COOS BAY —Today, Democrat Melissa Cribbins, Coos County Commissioner and local attorney, announced her candidacy for Oregon Senate in District 5. Senate District 5 includes much of the Oregon Coast, stretching from Coos Bay to Tillamook Bay, and includes dozens of other coastal communities such as North Bend, Florence, Reedsport, Newport and Lincoln City. Senate District 5 is currently represented by Senator Arnie Roblan (D-Coos Bay) who announced that he will not seek re-election at the end of his term. Cribbins was raised in rural Coos County, graduated from Coquille High School and attended Southwestern Oregon Community College. She and her husband, Troy, moved in order to pursue their educations, but returned to Coos Bay in 2006 where they currently live with their children. “I can’t think of a place that I would rather live,” said Cribbins. “Oregon is a great place to put down roots and raise a family, and we have been fortunate to make the Oregon Coast our home. I’m running for State Senate to create more family wage jobs for our communities, protect health care and fund education, and stand up for rural Oregon communities.” Cribbins was elected to the Coos County Commission in 2012, and re-elected in 2014 and 2018. Her priority has been to ensure Coos County is financially stable and sustainable while growing jobs and improving economic opportunities for working families in Coos County. Cribbins serves on the Land Conservation and Development Commission, the Energy Trust of Oregon Board, the Elliott State Forest Advisory Committee Working Group, and the Coos Bay North Bend Water Board. Cribbins also serves as the Chair of the Energy, Environment, and Land Use Committee of the National Association of Counties. She is currently the Second Vice President of the Association of Oregon Counties, and previously served as the Board Chair of Rural Development Initiatives. She has represented rural Oregon on numerous commissions, boards and councils both locally and at the state level. “Senator Roblan has been our region’s strong voice in Salem and he has done a tremendous job representing rural and coastal Oregon communities. I am grateful for his long and distinguished career in public service and the work he has done for Oregonians,” said Cribbins. Cribbins will file her candidacy for State Senate today.
