For Immediate Release: July 18, 2022

Portland, OR — The Oregon Working Families Party is thrilled to announce the appointment of distinguished Cuban-American community leader Annie Naranjo-Rivera as its new State Director. 

“Oregon deserves a political party that truly represents the multiracial working class,” said Naranjo-Rivera. “I’m excited to bring my years of experience in community organizing, legislative policy, and political infrastructure to building a political home for working people in our state.” 

Annie’s political journey began as a grassroots organizer. Her career spans over 20 years, during which she has demonstrated exceptional leadership in building grassroots power and movements. Annie’s recent accomplishments include her pivotal role in the Oregon State Legislature, where she successfully championed the groundbreaking unionization of legislative staffers, the first of its kind in the nation. Serving as Chief of Staff to Representative Farrah Chaichi from 2023 to 2024, Annie played a crucial part in shaping legislative policy and advancing workers’ rights. 

Annie knows that far too many Oregonians struggle to make ends meet, and the promise of economic prosperity is unachievable for far too many. Her vision for OWFP for 2024 and beyond is one where everyday folks from all corners of Oregon, rural and urban alike, are empowered to engage in the political process and to fight in solidarity for a working-class agenda to achieve tangible gains for the multi-racial working class.

Annie’s impressive portfolio includes notable positions with NARAL, Clean Water Action Alliance of MN, Wisconsin Community Action Network, and Washington Community Action Network. In Oregon, she worked with the OR AFL-CIO Working America to enhance their political outreach program. Her leadership was instrumental in the massive joint field efforts for the Defend Oregon Coalition in 2006, which later evolved into Our Oregon. Annie has managed and directed numerous campaigns, including those for Rep. Farrah Chaichi, Melissa Busch, Rep. Mark Gamba, Sen. Kayse Jama, and Rep. Tiffany Mitchell. 

Annie has also made significant contributions to statewide non-profit equity, environmental justice, and electoral initiatives. She served as the Statewide Census Equity Coordinator and interim Political Director for Unite Oregon/Unite Oregon Action, where she fought for immigrant and refugee communities and elected working-class champions across the state. Currently, she serves on the boards of Healthcare for All Oregon and NeahCasa, a local affordable housing non-profit. 

Living on the North Coast of Oregon, Annie is deeply rooted in her community and remains active in Tillamook County. 

“We are delighted to welcome Annie Naranjo-Rivera to our team,” said Vanessa Clifford, Working Families Party Pacific Northwest Regional Director. “Her extensive experience, dedication to social justice, and deep understanding of the challenges facing working families make her the perfect leader to advance our mission in Oregon.” 

The Working Families Party is the political party of the multiracial working class, fighting for a nation that cares for all of us. Over the last twenty-five years, it has elected working people’s champions at every level of government.