Oregon’s newest “Kid Governor” took the oath of office Tuesday.
Emerie Martin is a fifth-grader at Pleasant Hill Elementary in Pleasant Hill, southeast of Eugene. She said her goal is to encourage Oregonians to work together to stop animal abuse.
“As Mother Teresa once said, ‘Every day we are called to do small things with great love.’ It only takes one person with a love for animals to do one small thing to make a huge difference," she said. "Thank you for putting your trust in me as I serve the citizens and animals of Oregon in 2022.”
Martin spoke during a digital ceremony. Former Oregon Supreme Court Chief Justice Paul De Muniz administered the oath. Among those who attended the virtual event was the outgoing Kid Governor, Taneesh Garg of Beaverton. Oregon Secretary of State Shemia Fagan emceed the ceremony.
The program is run by the Oregon Secretary of State’s office. Martin was chosen in a vote by more than 2,200 Oregon fifth-graders who viewed video submissions from seven finalists. The “Kid Governor” program is in its fifth year in Oregon.
