Tigard, Oregon

Washington County, Oregon Chair Kathryn Harrington announced she is stepping back from her responsibilities after facing calls to resign over her conduct at a Board of Commissioners meeting. Video from the Tuesday session showed Harrington growing visibly angry during an exchange with Commissioner Jason Snider, slamming her hands on the desk before giving Commissioner Nafisa Fai the middle finger after asking Fai to stop blocking her sight line.

Fai called the gesture disrespectful to constituents, and a group of Tigard-area elected officials, along with the Multnomah County Democrats chair, publicly demanded Harrington's resignation despite her apology. On Thursday, Harrington's office said she would step back from chair duties to focus on her mental health, citing past openness about her struggles and calling the outburst a signal she needs support. She will remain a county commissioner through the end of her term, with Commissioner Jason Snider serving as chair pro-tem when Vice-Chair Jerry Willey is unavailable.