Thomas Hiura for Lane Education Service District, Zone 1

Thomas is a multimedia producer & small business owner, a nonprofit leader with the City Club of Eugene and WOW Hall, a trivia author & host, and a Human Rights Commissioner.

Born in Japan and raised on River Road since age 2, Thomas has spent decades advocating for students in the north Eugene area. A Eugene Future First Citizen award recipient, Thomas has a background in education and entrepreneurship, especially their connections with the arts, new media storytelling and grassroots journalism.

In 2022-23, he co-led the Springfield History Museum’s ILLUMINATION project on Asian-American oral histories from our community, and in 2024, he co-led the effort to complete much-needed roof repair on the historic WOW Hall. In 2025, he volunteered as an assistant debate coach at Marist High School, while supporting his partner’s piano teaching, and expanding his multimedia production business (est. 2012). Thomas holds a B.A. in American Studies from Carleton College, and certificates in music business and modern journalism from NYU.

Eugene schools paved the way for Thomas’ success, and now we need all hands on deck to protect and improve public education for future generations.

Thomas has an extensive background in education, student services, and public engagement. In this campaign for Lane Education Service District Board, he has earned the support of the incumbent Zone 1 Director and many others below. For more background information, check out the candidate filings for the Lane ESD Zone 1 Director race.

Protecting student wellness and safety, for every child ✅

Defending public institutions, ensuring the longevity and quality of public schools ✅

Real-world preparation through career and technical education ✅

Defending public institutions, ensuring the longevity and quality of public schools ✅

Fiscal responsibility with your tax dollars, and balancing the budget ✅

Working collaboratively across districts and neighborhoods to increase achievement ✅

Fiscal responsibility with your tax dollars, and balancing the budget ✅

Working collaboratively across districts and neighborhoods to increase achievement ✅

Affirming human rights for all community members ✅

Working collaboratively across districts and neighborhoods to increase achievement ✅

Lifelong Eugenean Thomas Hiura is running for Lane ESD (Education Service District) Board.

Lane Education Service District Board:

Sydney Kissinger, Zone 1 (North Eugene)

Vanessa Truett, Zone 3 (Springfield)

Rose Wilde, Position 6 (At-large)

Eugene Mayors & City Councilors:

Kaarin Knudson, Mayor

Lucy Vinis, former Mayor (2017-2025)

Kitty Piercy, former Mayor (2005-2017)

Matt Keating, Ward 2 Councilor

Jennifer Yeh, Ward 4 Councilor

Lyndsie Leech, Ward 7 Councilor

Randy Groves, Ward 8 Councilor

Eugene 4J School District Board:

Ericka Thessen

Jenny Jonak

Judy Newman

Maya Rabasa

Tom Di Liberto

Bethel School Board:

Drae Charles

Lane Community College Board:

Austin Fölnagy

Zach Mulholland

Organizations:

Eugene Weekly

Democratic Party of Lane County

Stonewall Caucus of the Democratic Party of Oregon

Community Members:

Adam Walsh

Aimee Yogi

Amy Fellows

Blake Burrell

Bret Cecil

Brian Steveson

Dakota Boulette

Debbie Williamson-Smith

Elle Sabala

Grace Salud

Hailey Schug

Howard Malcolm

Ibrahim Coulibaly

Isaac Judd

Jennifer Mora

Jun Ishibashi

Karen Rippberger

KC Hanson

Krystal Gainer

Maxwell Davis

Mindy Linder

Nigel Burch

Patrick Stutz

Persimmon Idlewild

Rebecca Bradvica

Tai Pruce-Zimmerman

Vince Casey

and more to come... join us below!

For a Lane County where every student can thrive, vote Thomas Hiura by May 20th, 2025!

Feel free to look at the campaign's voters' pamphlet statement (or download the full PDF here). Thank you for your consideration, Lane County voters. Let's put students first, and rebuild the strength of our public schools!

For any inquiries, please email thomashiura@yahoo.com, or call/text 541-513-3904.

Thank you! You are digging into the names on your ballot. You are choosing to be an informed voter, in an off-year election. Our community is as strong as it is because of the effort you are putting in, right now.

✔️ Experienced community leader

✔️ 25+ years in north Eugene

Thomas Hiura: Homegrown Lane ESD Leadership with Deep Eugene Roots.

Priorities:

Protecting student wellness and safety, for every child ✅

Defending public institutions, ensuring the longevity and quality of public schools ✅

Defending public institutions, ensuring the longevity and quality of public schools ✅

Defending public institutions, ensuring the longevity and quality of public schools ✅

Defending public institutions, ensuring the longevity and quality of public schools ✅

Defending public institutions, ensuring the longevity and quality of public schools ✅

Real-world preparation through career and technical education ✅

Defending public institutions, ensuring the longevity and quality of public schools ✅

Fiscal responsibility with your tax dollars, and balancing the budget ✅

Fiscal responsibility with your tax dollars, and balancing the budget ✅

Working collaboratively across districts and neighborhoods to increase achievement ✅

Fiscal responsibility with your tax dollars, and balancing the budget ✅

Working collaboratively across districts and neighborhoods to increase achievement ✅

Working collaboratively across districts and neighborhoods to increase achievement ✅

Working collaboratively across districts and neighborhoods to increase achievement ✅

Affirming human rights for all community members ✅

Working collaboratively across districts and neighborhoods to increase achievement ✅

Working collaboratively across districts and neighborhoods to increase achievement ✅

Endorsed by trusted local leaders:

Lane Education Service District Board:

Eugene Mayors & City Councilors:

Eugene 4J School District Board:

Bethel School Board:

Lane Community College Board:

Organizations:

Community Members:

Thomas, in the community's words:

"The only contested race is Zone 1, where we give Thomas Hiura the nod." - Eugene Weekly, 5/1/2025

"[Thomas] centers the development of trust and relationships — seeking to actively listen and learn."

For a Lane County where every student can thrive, vote Thomas Hiura by May 20th, 2025!