YIMBY Action✓ Endorses“In Oregon, the most important land use decisions are made by the state, and cities are where most people live.”
2026 Midterm Partner Endorsements
Morgan Schmidt
Deschutes County Commissioner, Position 5 · Deschutes County, OR
Backed byYIMBY Action
What the Guides Said
YIMBY Action✓ EndorsesAbout Morgan Schmidt
Morgan Schmidt grew up in the Chicago suburbs, where Costco meets the cornfields, raised by a tenacious single mom who was also a successful small business owner. As the first person in her family to go to college, Morgan understands what it takes to forge new paths. She moved to Bend in 2015 and now lives in midtown with her 80lb rescue dog, Finn. Morgan is extremely extroverted and jumps at any chance to be with people - she loves dancing (West Coast Swing and line dancing), anything teal, and a good chai… or an Old Fashioned.
Morgan currently serves as the Executive Director for the Red Cross of Central & Eastern Oregon. She deploys regularly as a chaplain for mass casualty natural disaster operations. She spent the past 20 years in public service, reaching out to neighbors and vulnerable populations, building effective working relationships, and coordinating coalitions of stakeholders.
Morgan Schmidt on Housing and Abundance
“Our top priority must be to collaborate with city governments to thoughtfully build more housing that supports local businesses, families, and our Central Oregon way of life.”
“Our top priority must be to collaborate with city governments to thoughtfully build more housing that can support local businesses, families, and our Central Oregon way of life.”
“Our lands and water are critical resources, and the county must align with the integrity and intent of our land use system: planning for affordable, livable cities while preserving the forests, farmland, waters, and open spaces that we love.”