AFT-Oregon member Michael Dembrow was sworn in as state senator by Governor John Kitzhaber on Wednesday, November 20, 2013. Dembrow was appointed Monday by the Multnomah County Board of Commissioners to fill the vacant seat in Senate District 23, representing portions of NE and SE Portland.
“We are excited to welcome Michael Dembrow to the Senate,” said Senate President Peter Courtney (D-Salem/Gervais/Woodburn). “He’s an accomplished legislator with a wide range of legislative experience. Expectations are going to be high. I am confident he will be an outstanding Senator.”
Dembrow was first elected to the Oregon House of Representatives in 2008. In the House, he served as the chair of the Higher Education and Workforce Development Committee and was a member of both the Rules and Energy and Environment Committees.
Dembrow is a longtime member and activist of AFT-Oregon, having served as AFT-Oregon Vice-President and later Treasurer. He is also a long-time former President of Local 2277 (PCCFFAP). He has taught English and film studies as an instructor at the Cascades Campus of Portland Community College since 1981. He earned his undergraduate degree in English from the University of Connecticut and his Master’s degree in Comparative Literature from Indiana University.
Photo by Robin Maxey, Communications Director, Senator Peter Courtney's office.