Mahsa Eshghi, a civil engineer and political newcomer, defeated incumbent Leslie Lewallen to win the Camas City Council Ward 3 Position 2 race by a wide margin.

Political newcomer defeated current Councilor Leslie Lewallen for the Ward 3, Position 2 seat

With most ballots counted, political newcomer Mahsa Eshghi has won the race for Camas City Council, Ward 3 Position 2, leading by more than 12 percentage points.

“I am thankful to every Camas citizen who voted,” said Eshghi. “From the beginning, it was my goal to campaign the way I’ll serve — by listening, being thoughtful and positive, and focusing on real solutions for our community. ”

When Eshghi filed to run against incumbent City Councilor Leslie Lewallen, she was considered a long shot. Lewallen had far exceeded previous Camas Council campaign spending records, and she had campaign funds left from her previous run for US Congress, 3rd Congressional District.

Eshghi believes the large vote margin reflects her qualifications and the community’s enthusiasm for her campaign. Eshghi noted how friends, neighbors, and volunteers fueled the effort, “Our campaign started with a few people pledging their support, and it quickly grew to a full team of community leaders working together. Suddenly we had people reaching out, offering to walk in the parade, knock on doors, host events, and wave signs. They were excited to be a part of something positive and promising.”

Eshghi says she was outspent more than two to one. She believes her campaign prevailed by inspiring confidence in a united community by engaging grassroots strategies. To share her message, Eshghi did interviews on local podcasts, the League of Women Voters forum, and met with local leaders. She also prioritized listening sessions with events like “coffee-with-the-candidate” gatherings, house parties, and events with local small businesses to meet voters and hear their concerns. “When meeting with groups, I could feel the energy shift when I talked about our positive vision and the real possibilities for Camas.”

“It started as a campaign, but it grew into more of a movement,” said Campaign Advisor Kerri Altom. “Mahsa ran the kind of campaign every small city would benefit from, the campaign so many of us needed right now. She shared her values, her story, and her passion for solutions.” Altom noted the large number of engaged volunteers, “People know an authentic and effective leader when they see her in action. While Mahsa’s positive message resonates, I think it’s the way she models service in action that really sparks excitement.”

Eshghi earned the support of many Camas leaders, including Nan Henriksen, former Camas Mayor and lifelong Camas resident, who chaired the Mahsa for Camas steering committee. “We faced a candidate with a huge war chest, and we chose not to put our energy into trying to compete on fundraising. Instead, we focused on a personalized campaign, people talking to their neighbors, sending personal messages, a return to community connection and civic engagement,” Henriksen said. “I can’t get over how proud I am of our excellent candidate and this amazing team of volunteers. We’re a cheerful crew of advocates for good governance. It’s a really bright day for the future of Camas.”

A civil engineer with a Master’s degree in Environmental and Transportation Engineering, Eshghi believes she offers both technical expertise and the collaborative spirit of a seasoned project manager. As a manager on the PFAS mitigation project for the Port of Portland, Eshghi believes she is uniquely positioned to help Camas with their PFAS contamination challenges. Her focus will include clean water, infrastructure, public safety, parks, and sustainable growth.

Eshghi immigrated to the U.S. from Iran 20 years ago and has been active in local classrooms encouraging students — especially girls — to pursue STEM careers. She’s volunteered in the schools, as Treasurer of her HOA, on several Camas committees and initiatives, and she has served 5 years on the Camas Planning Commission. Eshghi calls her victory “a win for practical leadership, community engagement, and commitment to finding solutions that fit for Camas.”

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