DPO Officers

Democratic Party of Oregon Chair Carla “KC” Hanson rose through the ranks of the DPO, initially becoming involved with the Multnomah County Democrats as a Precinct Committee Person following the 2004 Presidential election.

In 2007 she became Vice Chair of the Multnomah Democrats, and in 2008 began three terms of service as County Party Chair. Since then, KC has consulted on various political campaigns and continued her activism with both the Multnomah Democrats and the DPO.

Moving from Lawrence, Kansas, to Oregon in 1989, KC cut her Northwest political teeth in the 1990s on behalf of the LGBT community, battling the anti-gay initiative efforts of 1992 and 1994. The designated “Yardsign Lady” for the 1994 No on 13 Campaign, she traveled throughout the region with yardsigns stuffed in her pickup and a briefcase packed with a clipboard, pager, map … and a hammer. In her spare time, KC has spent 24 years as a small business owner, specializing in minor automotive paint repair.

KC emphasizes working as a team to achieve Democratic success: “Individuals don’t win elections nor do they create policy. Campaigns are won, and good policy is effected because teams of folks — sometimes with divergent opinions — work together for the common good. We are a huge Democratic team, and there are no roster limitations!”

KC is the first “out” lesbian to chair the Democratic Party of Oregon.

Michelle Risher was elected Vice Chair in 2019 — the first time in the nation that a state party has elected an openly transgender Vice Chair. Michelle has served as a Chair of the DPO’s Stonewall Caucus, and led the DPO’s efforts to pass a resolution protecting and defending the rights, safety, health, welfare, and existence of all transgender, intersex, and non-binary peoples in Oregon.

For the better part of her career, Eileen Kiely was a financial controller and manager for Daimler Trucks North America. She moved to Sunriver in 2015, beginning her “retirement career” as an outdoor leader and educator. Eileen ran for State Legislature in 2018, and in 2019 was elected Vice Chair of the Deschutes County Democrats as well as Democratic Party of Oregon Secretary.

Eddy is the Treasurer of the Democratic Party of Oregon, a proud son of Mexican immigrants, a Gresham City Councilor, a community organizer, and a small business owner. Elected in 2018, his top issues include transportation justice, institutional equity, revitalizing parks and recreation, and fixing Gresham’s financial crisis. Eddy is the founder of East County Rising, which works to increase civic engagement among underserved populations in East Multnomah County and supports candidates and elected officials who advance equitable policies. Eddy is a diehard Oregon Duck and lives in Gresham with his partner, Hugh, and their dog, Besitos.

Tanya Shively grew up in Southern Oregon and now lives near Corvallis. She has been active with the Benton County Democrats since 2003, serving as secretary, office manager and delegate to the State Central Committee. She is currently the chair of the Benton County Rules Committee. She received their Volunteer of the Year Award for 2008.

Tanya has served as Secretary of the Democratic Party of Oregon since 2011. She has attended every Platform Convention since 2006 and attended the 2012 DNC Convention in Charlotte.  She is also a member of the League of Women Voters, Planned Parenthood, and NARAL.

Travis Nelson has resided in North Portland for over 5 years. In addition to serving as a DNC Member, Travis serves the party as a Precinct Committee Person (PCP) in Multnomah County and Chair’s the Black Caucus of the DPO. Additionally, Travis served as a delegate to the 2016 Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia.

Travis earned his Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Washington State University. He is a Board Certified Registered Nurse and has specialized in Medical/Surgical Nursing, Emergency Nursing, Case Management and had even served as a Charge Nurse on a Physical Rehabilitation Unit.

Travis works full time as a Union Representative where he advocates for his fellow Registered Nurses and fights for social justice. Travis is a member of the Oregon Nurses Association, American Nurses Association, AFL-CIO, Teamsters Local 117, American Federation of Teachers, National Federation of Nurses, The Urban League, The Oregon Assembly for Black Affairs (OABA) and The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP).

Serving his fifth consecutive term as a State Central Committee delegate, Matt Keating has been elected as a national delegate to three consecutive Democratic National Conventions (2008, 2012, and 2016). He is serving his first term as a Democratic National Committee Member.

Matt brings years of community organizing and field management experience to his role as DNC Member. He has worked for nationally respected progressive allies such as MoveOn.org, Democracy for America, CREDO SuperPAC, and We Are Wisconsin.

Additionally, Matt serves as a director on the Board of Education at Lane Community College, a member of the KLCC Community Support Board, and board member on the Eugene Public Library Foundation Board.

Alongside Matt on many a progressive political adventure is his trusted friend Vegas, a rescue Great Dane.