April Dobson


April Dobson is an American politician currently serving in the Oregon [House of Representatives]. A member of the Democratic Party, she represents the 39th district, which includes Happy Valley, Clackamas, and a small portion of outer southeastern Portland.
Dobson is also a member of the Clackamas School District|North Clackamas School Board].

Early life and education

Dobson was born and raised in Oregon and graduated from Scappoose High School in Scappoose. She attended the University of Oregon, earning a bachelor's degree in 1997. Dobson lived in Los Angeles for a time where she was involved with helping to reopen libraries that had closed due to funding issues.

Career

In 2023, Dobson ran for position #7 on the North Clackamas School Board to oppose three candidates backed by the conservative Oregon Mom's Union. She won in the May election. State Representative Janelle Bynum helped with the race, and when Bynum announced her candidacy for congress in the 2024 [United States House of Representatives elections in Oregon#District 5|upcoming election], she encouraged Dobson to run for her seat. Dobson ran unopposed in the Democratic primary, and went on to defeat Republican Aimee Reiner in the 2024 [Oregon House of Representatives election|November general election].
In the 2025 session, Dobson was appointed vice-chair of the House Education Committee. She was also appointed to the Housing and Homelessness Committee and the Committee on Economic Development, Small Business, and Trade.

Personal life

Dobson is married and has 3 children, including one with autism. They live in Happy Valley.