Sara Gelser

Sara Gelser Blouin is a former American politician who served as a member of the Oregon State Senate, representing District 8. A member of the Democratic Party, she has had a notable career in public service, including a decade-long tenure in the Oregon House of Representatives prior to her time in the Senate. Gelser Blouin has been involved in various legislative initiatives, particularly focusing on education, health, and human services. Her work has included significant reforms aimed at improving the lives of children and vulnerable populations in Oregon.

Early life and career

Sara Anne Acres was born on December 20, 1973, in Las Vegas, Nevada. She is the eldest of four children in her family, born to parents John and Jo Acres. Throughout her childhood, Gelser Blouin lived in various states, including New Jersey, Ohio, and Indiana, but spent a significant portion of her early years in Las Vegas. At the age of 16, she moved to Indiana to pursue higher education, where she attended Earlham College. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in history in 1994. Following her graduation, she relocated to Corvallis, Oregon, in the same year.

In 1999, Gelser Blouin furthered her education by obtaining a master's degree in Interdisciplinary Studies from Oregon State University. During her time at Earlham College, she married Peter Gelser in 1993. The couple raised four children together and remained married until their divorce in 2017. In July 2021, she married Dr. Michael Blouin, a professor of biology at Oregon State University, which led to her legal name change to Sara Gelser Blouin.

Before entering the legislative arena, Gelser Blouin served on the Corvallis School Board, where she gained experience in educational governance and community engagement. She also worked for the Oregon Department of Human Services, which provided her with insights into the needs and challenges faced by families and individuals requiring support from state services.

Legislative service

Gelser Blouin's political career began in earnest when she ran for a seat in the Oregon House of Representatives in 2004. Although her initial attempt to unseat an incumbent legislator was unsuccessful, she was appointed to the House the following year after the incumbent resigned. This appointment marked the beginning of her legislative service, during which she was subsequently reelected for four additional terms.

Throughout her time in the Oregon House, Gelser Blouin held several leadership positions. She served as Chair of the House Education Committee in 2009 and 2013, and she was co-chair during the 2011 session when the chamber was evenly divided. Her committee assignments included the House Select Committee on Education, the House Committee on Child Welfare, Human Services and Women's Wellness, Health Care, Rules, Revenue, Human Services and Housing, and the Joint Committee on Tax Credits. Additionally, she served as Assistant Caucus Leader from 2006 to 2011 and as Deputy Democratic Whip during the 2011 session.

Gelser Blouin's legislative work encompassed a wide range of issues, particularly in education, health, and human services. Among her notable accomplishments were the establishment of statewide standards for modified and extended diplomas, the elevation of strangulation to a felony, and enhancements to the state's rape statutes. She played a pivotal role in improving child abuse investigations through the implementation of Karly's Law and worked on legislation that created a medically involved children's waiver, allowing children with significant health needs to remain in their family homes rather than being placed in nursing facilities. Her efforts also included an overhaul of the state's response to abuse against the elderly and disabled, as well as legislation aimed at prohibiting insurance discrimination against children with disabilities and chronic health conditions.

In the realm of education, Gelser Blouin was instrumental in eliminating zero tolerance discipline policies in public schools and advocated for the removal of restrictions on school employees wearing religious attire. She also sought to grant greater autonomy to Oregon's higher education institutions. In 2013, she successfully led efforts to ban the use of seclusion cells in public schools, a significant reform aimed at protecting students' rights and well-being.

In September 2013, Gelser Blouin announced her candidacy for the Oregon State Senate, representing District 8, which encompasses Corvallis, Philomath, Albany, Millersburg, Tangent, and surrounding areas. She won the election with a substantial majority of the vote and officially took office in January 2015. Her tenure in the Senate continued her commitment to public service and advocacy for her constituents.

Policy focus and district

During her time in the Oregon State Senate, Gelser Blouin maintained a focus on issues that directly impacted her constituents in District 8. Her legislative priorities included education reform, healthcare access, and the welfare of vulnerable populations, particularly children and individuals with disabilities. She sought to address systemic issues within the education system, advocating for policies that would enhance educational opportunities and support for students with diverse needs.

Gelser Blouin's district, which includes urban and suburban areas, presented a unique set of challenges and opportunities. The communities within District 8 are characterized by a mix of educational institutions, including Oregon State University, and a variety of socio-economic backgrounds. This diversity informed her legislative agenda, as she aimed to create policies that would benefit all residents, regardless of their circumstances.

In addition to her legislative work, Gelser Blouin was recognized for her advocacy on social issues. In 2018, she was selected as one of the "Silence Breakers" by Time magazine, an acknowledgment of her courage in speaking out against inappropriate behavior within the legislative environment. Her allegations against a fellow senator led to significant repercussions, including the removal of the senator from committee assignments and his eventual resignation.

Throughout her career, Gelser Blouin has demonstrated a commitment to public service and advocacy, focusing on issues that resonate with her constituents and reflect her values. Her legislative contributions have left a lasting impact on the state of Oregon, particularly in the areas of education and human services. As a former state legislator, she continues to be involved in her community, living in Corvallis with her husband and children.