Raquel Moore-Green

Raquel Moore-Green served as the Republican state representative for Oregon’s 19th House district from 2019 to 2023. Her relatively short but eventful political career demonstrated both her conservative policy views and ambition for higher office. Though she lost her 2022 bid for the state Senate, Moore-Green left a mark on her district and Oregon politics more broadly.

Early Life and Career

Born in 1977 in Silverton, Oregon, Moore-Green was raised in the central Willamette Valley along with two brothers. She attended Silverton High School where she was active in student council, journalism, and athletics. After graduation, Moore-Green studied political science and communications at Willamette University in Salem, Oregon.

In her early professional career, Moore-Green worked in corporate communications and public relations for companies such as T-Mobile and Daimler Trucks North America. She eventually shifted into local political activism, serving on her local chamber of commerce and as a representative to the Marion County Republican Party.

Entry Into Politics

Moore-Green became increasingly involved in Marion County politics in the late 2010s. She served as campaign manager for several local Republican candidates and worked on voter outreach efforts. This grassroots work within the party caught the attention of local GOP leaders.

In July 2019, Moore-Green was appointed by the Marion County Board of Commissioners to fill a vacancy in Oregon House District 19. The previous representative, Denyc Boles, had been appointed to a state Senate seat earlier that year. Despite no prior elected experience, Moore-Green positioned herself as the best choice to hold the reliably red district.

Oregon House of Representatives

Moore-Green hit the ground running upon joining the Oregon House in the latter half of 2019. She immediately secured spots on several key committees including Health Care, Behavioral Health, Energy and Environment, and Conduct. Her corporate communications background made her an adept public speaker and debater on the House floor.

During her first full term in office in 2021-2022, Moore-Green would sponsor over a dozen bills covering issues like veterans’ healthcare, drug sentencing reform, and workforce development. Though a hardcore partisan, she occasionally worked across the aisle on bipartisan measures. Moore-Green also utilized her position to direct more funding to infrastructure and education in her district.

As a fiscal and social conservative, Moore-Green compiled a reliably right-wing voting record. She supported reducing business taxes and regulations, protecting gun rights, and restricting abortion access. Moore-Green voted along party lines on nearly every major bill that came before the House.

2022 State Senate Campaign

After just two full years in office, Moore-Green set her sights on a promotion to the Oregon State Senate. In 2022, she entered the Republican primary to challenge incumbent Senator Deb Patterson in District 10. Moore-Green positioned herself to Patterson’s right, criticizing the incumbent’s more moderate voting history.

Moore-Green decisively won the three-way GOP primary with over 98% of the vote. She hoped to use the same partisan messaging against Patterson in the general election. Moore-Green campaigned on fighting crime, fixing education, and reducing taxes. However, Patterson’s moderate profile and high name recognition in the district proved difficult for Moore-Green to overcome.

On November 8, 2022, Patterson defeated Moore-Green by a margin of 53% to 46%. Moore-Green won many of the district’s rural counties but could not overcome Patterson’s support in the population center of Salem. Following this Senate loss, Moore-Green’s term in the Oregon House expired several weeks later in early January 2023.

Political Positions

Moore-Green stood out as one of the Oregon Legislature’s most conservative members during her House tenure. She advocated for limited government intervention across a range of issues:

• Economic Policy – Favored lowering taxes on businesses and individuals. Supported reducing economic regulations. Voted consistently against increased public spending.
• Healthcare – Opposed Medicaid expansion and other public health programs. Argued for reduced government healthcare spending. Voted for restrictions on reproductive healthcare.
• Education – Pushed for more school choice programs and charter schools. Argued against increased education budgets without reforms.
• Environment – Consistently voted against increased environmental regulations and agency funding. Supported expanding natural resource extraction. Opposed cap-and-trade legislation.
• Social Issues – Strongly anti-abortion and voted for restrictions. Voted against LGBTQ rights bills. Favored tough-on-crime laws and police funding.

Moore-Green’s views aligned closely with both national and local Republican Party orthodoxy during her time in office. She represented a deeply red district and echoed the policy priorities of its voters.

Evaluations and Scorecards

Moore-Green’s staunchly conservative voting record earned her high marks from Republican and libertarian-leaning groups:

• American Conservative Union – 93% rating in 2021
• National Federation of Independent Businesses – A in 2020 and 2022
• Oregon State Chamber of Commerce – 90% in 2021

Meanwhile, progressive organizations rated Moore-Green very low:

• League of Conservation Voters – 13% in 2020, 9% in 2021
• AFL-CIO – 33% in 2020, 7% in 2022
• Planned Parenthood – 0% in 2020 and 2022

These disparate scores reflect Moore-Green’s predictably partisan voting history and unwavering ideological positions during her time in office. She made few attempts to reach across the aisle or find consensus.

Departure from the Legislature

With the expiration of her House term on January 9, 2023, Moore-Green’s brief legislative career came to an end. Losing the November 2022 election closed the door on her higher ambitions within the Oregon Legislature.

Moore-Green’s future plans remain unclear as of early 2023. Some political observers speculate she may seek election to her former House seat in 2024 or another local office. However, Moore-Green herself has not indicated if she intends to remain active in Marion County or Oregon politics going forward.

Legacy and Impact

Despite her short tenure, Moore-Green left a mark on Oregon’s 19th District and the House Republican caucus. Her political legacy rests on:

• Directing more infrastructure funding to her district for roads and water systems
• Securing added funding for Silverton schools and local education programs
• Amending healthcare regulations to assist rural providers in her district
• Maintaining GOP control of District 19 during her term
• Consistently pushing the House Republican caucus further rightward

While lacking major legislative achievements, Moore-Green provided conservative representation to her Republican constituents. She amplified the partisan divide in Salem but gave District 19 a voice aligned with its voters.

Personal Life

Outside of politics, Moore-Green resides near Silverton with her husband Steve and two children. She has been an active school volunteer and enjoys gardening, skiing, and fly fishing. Moore-Green is an avid University of Oregon Ducks fan and football season ticket holder. She has been involved in organizing several community fundraisers over the years.

Conclusion

In just four years, Raquel Moore-Green left an indelible conservative mark on the Oregon Legislature. Her ambitious yet divisive style demonstrated both strengths and weaknesses. Moore-Green gave her district highly partisan representation but made few efforts to reach across the aisle. Though her legislative career was short-lived, she provided a conservative voice that reflected Oregon’s political divisions. Moore-Green’s next chapter remains uncertain, but her political impact will linger in Salem and Silverton.

FAQs

What years did Raquel Moore-Green serve in the Oregon legislature?

Moore-Green served in the Oregon House of Representatives from 2019 to 2023, representing District 19. She was appointed in July 2019 and elected to a full term in November 2020 before leaving office in January 2023.

What committees did Raquel Moore-Green serve on?

As a state representative, Moore-Green served on the Behavioral Health, Energy and Environment, Health Care, and Conduct committees. She held leadership positions on the Behavioral Health and Conduct committees.

What legislation did Raquel Moore-Green sponsor?

Moore-Green primarily sponsored conservative bills related to education, healthcare, public safety, and natural resource policy during her House tenure. She was the chief sponsor of over a dozen bills that became law.

How did Raquel Moore-Green vote on major issues?

Moore-Green compiled a very conservative voting record, consistently supporting reduced regulation and taxation, gun rights, and restrictions on abortion and LGBTQ rights. She voted along party lines on nearly every major bill.

Why did Raquel Moore-Green leave office in 2023?

Moore-Green left the Oregon legislature in January 2023 after losing a 2022 bid for the District 10 State Senate seat to incumbent Democrat Deb Patterson. With the expiration of her House term, her legislative career ended.

What is Raquel Moore-Green doing now after leaving office?

Moore-Green’s future plans are unclear as of early 2023. She has not announced any intention to seek political office again or remain active in Oregon politics since departing the legislature.