Forest "Fora" Alexander
Forest "Fora" Alexander | |
|---|---|
| Personal details | |
| Born | Nathan Alexander White June 10, 1992 Pasadena, TX |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Education | DePaul University (BA) |
| Occupation | Politician, activist, rabbi |
| Website | foraoregon |
Forest "Fora" Alexander (born June 10, 1992) is an American politician, community organizer, and rabbi. She is a candidate in the 2026 Oregon gubernatorial primary. Alexander has served as a human rights commissioner and has worked extensively in labor and disability rights advocacy.
Early life and education
Alexander was born in 1992. She attended San Jacinto College for general studies before transferring to DePaul University, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre Arts in 2016. In 2021, she began a Rabbinic Mentorship, leading to her designation as a "Street Rabbi" and community chaplain.
Career
Between 2018 and 2021, Alexander served as a Human Rights Commissioner in Austin, Texas. According to campaign records, she served in this role prior to her gender transition. During her tenure, she focused on civil rights protections, housing justice, and climate resilience.
After relocating to Oregon in 2020, Alexander held several roles within the Democratic Party infrastructure, including serving as a Statewide Field Director for a Democratic political action committee and as a Political Director. Her occupational background also includes work as an agricultural worker, in early childhood education, the service industry, housing services, and healthcare administration.
2026 gubernatorial campaign
In January 2026, Alexander filed as a Democratic challenger to incumbent Governor Tina Kotek in the 2026 Oregon gubernatorial election. Running as a "working class trans woman," Alexander cited the state's handling of the SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) crisis and rising homelessness as primary motivations for her candidacy.
Her platform, "Housing Justice & Equity," emphasizes:
Housing First: Transitioning from temporary shelters to permanent, structural housing solutions and removing barriers to entry for unhoused residents.
Economic Justice: Advocating for comprehensive tax reform where the wealthy pay a higher share, and the abolition of predatory non-compete agreements.
Healthcare: Proposing significant state investment in a "Healthcare for All" system to mitigate federal funding threats.
Sustainability: Investing in micro-hydro and geothermal energy, and promoting soil restoration techniques like the "Sponge Effect."
Transparency: A pledge to conduct a full audit of state departments within the first six months of office, with a goal of ensuring at least 60% of funds go toward direct services.
Personal life
Alexander resides in Multnomah County in the Portland metropolitan area. She is neurodivergent and has integrated universal design principles into her political advocacy for disability rights. She identifies as bisexual and non-monogamous.
References
External links
Category:1992 births Category:Living people Category:Oregon Democrats Category:Transgender women Category:21st-century American rabbis Category:Activists from Oregon Category:Politicians from Portland, Oregon
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