Voters across the Tualatin Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) will choose between Ethan VanderZanden and Laura Graham for the Zone 5 board seat on Tuesday, Nov. 3.

The nonpartisan race is one of four Tualatin SWCD positions on the ballot. The winner will serve a four-year term as a zone director on the board that guides soil and water conservation work in Washington County.

The Oregon Department of Agriculture certified both candidates after reviewing their nominating petitions and Declaration of Candidacy forms, according to the Statement of Candidates for the November 2026 Ballot published by Washington County. Zone 3, Zone 4, Zone 5 and At Large 2 seats are all on the Nov. 3 ballot.

Under state law, all registered voters within the district vote on each position, including zone-specific seats.

Laura Graham

Graham describes herself in the Washington County voters' pamphlet as retired after more than 25 years as a business systems analyst, as we reported Oct. 16. She lists a bachelor's degree in business management and administration from Concordia University in Portland and attendance at Tigard High School. She lists no prior governmental experience.

Graham says she has managed 40 acres of timber forest in Washington County for nine years. She says she previously restored a creek by planting native species and removing invasive plants. She also says participation in the district's Forest Health Conservation Program helped improve forest health and resilience.

Her statement emphasizes planning, fiscal responsibility and accountability. She identifies climate change, wildfire risk, invasive species, water availability and forest and watershed health as issues conservation efforts must address. Washington County notes it does not verify candidate statements.

Ethan VanderZanden

No questionnaire responses, biography or issue positions were available for VanderZanden at the time of our Oct. 26 report. His voters' pamphlet statement was not available for this article.

Ballots have been mailed to registered voters.