Mallory Hiefield, Forest Grove City Council–Candidate Interview

By Clayton Callahan, Washington County Democrats Communications Committee Member

Mallory Hiefield is a woman with strong roots in the city of Forest Grove. In fact, she was born here back when the town still had its own hospital. She now works for Pacific University as their Assistant Athletic Director and Senior Woman Administrator. In her off hours, she serves on the Forest Grove Budget Committee and also on the Parks and Recreation Committee. Now, she wants to serve on the City Council, and I recently had the chance to talk with her about that.

I first asked her what’s so special about Forest Grove, and she had a lot to say.

Hiefield told me, “I love that Forest Grove is such a cozy community. I’ll go to the farmer’s market or the grocery store and always run into someone I know. It makes me feel connected in a way that you just don’t get in a larger place. And we have so much going on here: from the Theatre in The Grove, to the Aquatic Center, or the Boxers’ home games, there’s always something going on.”

I’d read that Hiefield had played lacrosse in college and with her current job as a university assistant athletic director, that raised an obvious question. I asked what sports mean to her.

She answered that, “Sports build community and bring people together in a unique way. People often find their identity in sports and that’s very powerful. A team can be like a family and in that family, you learn to build resiliency and motivational drive.”

So, I asked her if that resiliency and drive had to do with running for a public office?

Smiling, Hiefield said, “Sure, that. But what I mostly bring to the table is a willingness to listen. I’m part of the Rotary Club of Forest Grove and am connected widely to different groups across town. I serve on two of the City’s committees. And in my full-time work, I am constantly problem solving and working with different populations. In all of these situations, I’ve learned that you have to work with the strengths of different groups and people to get things done.”

And what are the things that most need done in Forest Grove?

“Our population growth continues to change our community,” she replied. “We need to find funding to expand city services so that old and new residents alike are covered in a manageable way for everybody.”

I then inquired who her opponent was and why they were the wrong choice. She told me she didn’t like that question and doesn’t have a specific opponent… technically.

In Forest Grove there are currently seven candidates running for three open positions and the top three vote getters will be declared the winners. Not knowing how the election will shake out, Hiefield can’t be sure which one of the other contenders may be her co-workers on the City Council and which ones may not. However, she added that, “Overall, I do think I’m the best choice when you look at my experience as a problem solver and my connections to Forest Grove. Naturally, I don’t have all the answers, but as I’ve learned from being a member of many teams, it’s putting in the work that really matters. And that I’m ready to do.”

Additional information for Forest Grove City elections can be found at https://www.forestgrove-or.gov/362/Elections. And remember, drop boxes are the safest way to ensure your vote is counted regardless of Trump’s attempts to meddle with voting by US mail. 

Learn more about Mallory Hiefield, Candidate for Forest Grove City Council, at her campaign website.