Biographical Information

The elections for Eugene City Council are approaching with ballots due May 21. The Ward 7 race will be a rematch of the one from November, between incumbent Lyndsie Leech and Barbie Walker.

City Council Ward 7 approximately represents the Whiteaker, Trainsong and River Road neighborhoods as well as west Santa Clara and Downtown north of 7th Avenue. With two candidates on the ballot for the ward, May’s primary election outcome will decide which candidate runs uncontested in the November general election.

The Register-Guard asked each of the candidates a series of questions and asked them for biographical information. Here are their answers, word-forword. Candidates are listed alphabetically.

Lyndsie Leech

My name is Lyndsie Leech and I was appointed to the Eugene City Council for Ward 7 in December 2022 after the recall of former Councilor Syrett. Following the appointment, I ran in 2023 to keep the seat and won in the November election. I am now running again to continue to serve my ward for the next 4 years.

I live on River Road and work in the Whiteaker as the Executive Director of a local nonprofit, in addition to the City Council, and am a mom of three. I have worked for our community’s nonprofits for the past 15 years, raising millions of dollars to improve our behavioral health care system. As Councilor, I serve on the Budget Committee, Revenue Advisors Committee, Lane Workforce Partnership, and Human Rights Commission. I work every day in these roles to serve our community to improve the lives of all that live, work, and play here.

Leech

Barbie Walker

Biographical Information: Eugene resident for over 25 years by way of Corvallis. Currently a River Road resident near the Maurie Jacobs Park.

Occupational Background: Bowerman Molecular Biology Lab. Martins Ecology & Evolution Lab. Oregon Med

Founder 4J School District ID Program for Homeless Youth. Legislatively passed for DMV Determination of Homelessness. Junior League Executive Board VP Community Enrichment. Founder, The 15th Night. UO Girls Club Soccer Coach. Awbrey park clean up. Eugene Relay for Life. St. Vincent de Paul, Girls Youth House. 4J ACE Award Nominee.

Questions

The Register-Guard began all questions to city council candidates with “What strategies or policies would you support to …” Walker grouped the questions on housing and homelessness.

Increase housing affordability and/or supply in Eugene?

Leech: In short, increasing affordable housing supply is the #1 answer to houselessness and ensuring Eugene is an affordable place to live. Eugene is short 10,000 housing units: we must focus on sustainably increasing supply. In the past year, I have voted to invest record amounts into affordable housing and create incentive programs to get that housing built quickly. Several of the low-income housing projects we have already invested in will be completed during this council term and more are in the approval process. I support a diversity of housing in our neighborhoods to support the diversity of our neighborhoods.

Reduce homelessness in Eugene?

Leech: I will do everything in my power to help get our unhoused population sheltered. This includes supporting more affordable housing options by leveraging our Affordable Housing Trust Fund, increasing our overall housing supply, and working closely with our area’s nonprofits, Lane County, and developers. I support renter protections in part to prevent more houselessness, the extension and expansion of safe sleeping spaces for our unhoused neighbors, providing compassionate care for addiction and mental health, and policy