Get to know Bertha Clayton

Deep Walla Walla County Roots

My great-grandparents were among the first homesteaders who settled near the Mormon Grade in the foothills of the Blue Mountains in the mid 1800s. Our family history states that when the settlers arrived, they looked down at the valley and said “we have found heaven on earth”. For those of us that call Walla Walla County home — we know exactly what they meant. Nearly 200 years later, my family still calls this valley home.

My mother was among the first Mexican farmworkers to settle in Walla Walla in the late 1970s and early 1980s. My parents married after meeting at D&K cannery in Walla Walla and have lived on our 163-acre family farm near Waitsburg, WA for nearly 40 years.

Lawyer, State Agency Leader & Working Mother

My professional career has focused on advocating for vulnerable people and helping people navigate complex bureaucracy. As an attorney, I have represented local clients in insurance and immigration law. In my current professional role, I direct a state office that administers Washington state’s foreign labor program. My teams have earned national recognition for impactful work in the agricultural industry.

My husband, Scott, is a Walla Walla native and a 17-year veteran police officer for the City of Milton-Freewater, Oregon.

We live and raise our family in Walla Walla.

What I Believe

I love Walla Walla County. While our County has a rich and diverse history, I believe the best is yet to come. That’s why I’m running for Walla Walla County Commissioner.

Walla Walla County needs a leader with vision, energy, and optimism. We need customer-focused leadership that improves systems and objectively performs statutory duties with wisdom, dignity and data informed decision making.

I believe in:

  • Strategically planning for responsible long-term growth

  • Seeking opportunities to better support working families

  • Protecting our natural resources

  • Increasing the value and quality of county services to residents

  • Investing in our county employees and improving systems

  • Cutting wasteful spending and seeking new revenue opportunities to ease our County’s property tax burden.

Ask those who know me — there is no candidate more committed to accomplishing these goals than I am.

  • University of Idaho College of Law, J.D. Graduated top 1/3 of class.

    Washington State University, B.A., Political Science, Pre-Law, Minor: Criminal Justice, Summa Cum Laude

    Waitsburg High School, High school diploma

  • Director, Office of Agricultural and Seasonal Workforce Services, Washington State Employment Security Department

    Associate Attorney, Hernandez Immigration Law

    Associate Attorney, Hess Law Office

    ESL Instructor, Walla Walla Community College

    Road construction flagger, college summers, Walla Walla County Road Department

  • Member, Washington State Task Force Against the Trafficking of Persons, statewide position

    Trustee, Blue Mountain Community Foundation, Walla Walla, WA, scholarship committee member

    Board Member, Providence St. Mary Medical Center Mission Board, Walla Walla, WA

    Moderator, Walla Walla Chamber of Commerce Political Forums

    Officer, Walla Walla public elementary school Parent Teacher Association (PTA), Walla Walla, WA

    Tipsy Taxi Driver Volunteer, Walla Walla, WA

    Board Member, Washington State University Alumni Association, Pullman, WA

    Member, Sherwood Trust Leadership Program

    Mentor to first generation college youth

  • “Top 39 Under 39”, Walla Walla Union Bulletin, 2021, inaugural cohort

    Outstanding Volunteer Award, Washington State University Alumni Association

    Phi Beta Kappa, academic honor society, Washington State University

    Pre-Law Student of the Year, Washington State University

    General Education Student of the Year, Washington State University

    Walla Walla Union Bulletin Youth of the Year

    Exchange Club of Walla Walla Student of the Year

    Washington Award for Vocational Excellence

Qualified. Prepared. Ready to lead with vision.

Here’s my proven record:

Bertha's great grandmother, Lena (Sorensen) Poirier with children, Ethel (Poirier) Klicker, Vina (Poirier) Weaver, Ruth (Poirier) Simmons, and Bertha's grandfather, William Poirier. 1907.

Bertha's great grandmother, Lena (Sorensen) Poirier with children, Ethel (Poirier) Klicker, Vina (Poirier) Weaver, Ruth (Poirier) Simmons, and Bertha's grandfather, William Poirier. 1907.

Bertha's mother, Avelina, the year she arrived in the U.S., Walla Walla Farm Labor Camp, 1980.

Bertha's mother, Avelina, the year she arrived in the U.S., Walla Walla Farm Labor Camp, 1980.

Summer evening on Poirier family farm where Bertha grew up, Waitsburg, WA.

Summer evening on Poirier family farm where Bertha grew up, Waitsburg, WA.

Bertha and family dog Brownie.

Bertha and family dog Brownie.

University of Idaho College of Law Graduation.

University of Idaho College of Law Graduation.

Attorney swearing in ceremony with Judge John Lohrmann, Walla Walla Superior Court

Attorney swearing in ceremony with Judge John Lohrmann, Walla Walla Superior Court

Volunteer at Walla Walla County COVID-19 vaccine clinic, Spring 2021.

Volunteer at Walla Walla County COVID-19 vaccine clinic, Spring 2021.

Moderating the 5th Congressional District debate between Cathy McMorris Rogers and Lisa Brown (2018).

Moderating the 5th Congressional District debate between Cathy McMorris Rogers and Lisa Brown (2018).

With Wendy Hernandez, mentor and friend, Founder of Hernandez Immigration Law where Bertha practiced law for 5 years.

With Wendy Hernandez, mentor and friend, Founder of Hernandez Immigration Law where Bertha practiced law for 5 years.

Go COUGS!

Go COUGS!

Representing Washington State at the U.S. Department of Labor, Washington D.C.

Representing Washington State at the U.S. Department of Labor, Washington D.C.

White House, Washington D.C.

White House, Washington D.C.

Representing immigration clients at Portland Immigration Court.

Representing immigration clients at Portland Immigration Court.

Co-presenter, PNW Regional Economic Conference, 2023

Co-presenter, PNW Regional Economic Conference, 2023

Meeting with US Dept. of Labor Wage & Hour Administrator and west coast agricultural employer representatives, Henderson, Nevada

Meeting with US Dept. of Labor Wage & Hour Administrator and west coast agricultural employer representatives, Henderson, Nevada