I was born in Beaverton, just a few years after my parents married. My father immigrated from Iran, and met my mother, who was from The Dalles, at Portland State University. Growing up in an immigrant household shaped much of how I see the world today. My parents worked hard to give me and my brother a good, safe, stable life. I was taught that if we, too, worked hard we could have the same life.
I did work hard; I took AP classes and joined Amnesty International in High School. I went to Seattle University where I studied Criminal Justice and Political Science before getting my Masters in Paralegal Studies from George Washington University. Throughout my education, I remained passionate about human rights, social, and political issues. After college, increasingly aware of the growing wealth disparity and frustrated by the lack of representation in local government, I decided to get involved. I started attending political meetings, joined local organizations, volunteered for progressive candidates in my area, protested in the streets, and was appointed to the Beaverton Human Rights Advisory Commission (HRAC). My time serving on HRAC gave me a chance to examine some of our local issues with human rights closely, but my position gave me no power to address those issues.
When I decided to run for office, I did so because our governmental systems prioritize profit over people. We need elected representatives who are living the same lives as their constituents and who will fight for improved material circumstances for working folks and marginalized communities. I was elected to office in 2022 and have spent my time in Salem fighting for governmental transparency, consumer protections, affordable housing, and basic human rights for my HD 35 constituents as well as everyday folks across Oregon.
In Solidarity,
Representative Farrah Chaichi
House District 35
