Kerry McQuisten is the former mayor of Baker City, Oregon who garnered national media attention when she stood against then-governor Kate Brown's tyrannical mandates. She ran on the Republican ticket for governor in the 2022 primary, winning the second most counties in Oregon after the nominee.

 

She's a 7th generation Oregonian whose two daughters are 8th generation, with family roots that go all the way back to one of Baker City's founding families, the Campbells. Raised on her family's cattle ranch, three generations of her family lived off the grid and worked the land. Her childhood taught her to be self-sufficient and independent, and she believes our farmers, ranchers, miners and loggers are the best possible stewards of the land.

 

Kerry holds an international relations degree, and has lived in Spain and Japan. She says her experience overseas gave her a deep appreciation of other cultures, including her own here in America. After Japan, she accepted a Seattle-area marketing coordinator position at an international A/E/C company with over 60 offices worldwide, eventually becoming vice president of marketing and communication.

​

In 2007, Kerry founded Black Lyon Publishing, LLC in Baker City, and was named Entrepreneur of the Year by the Northeast Oregon Economic Development District. Her company has been featured in various magazines, business journals, and newspapers over the years. Black Lyon books have topped out multiple Amazon charts at #1, and even making the Forbes "Best of" Christmas list.

​

Kerry has added public speaker and author to her accomplishments, and remains politically active both in Oregon - and on a national and international scale. She currently serves as First Vice President of the Baker County Republican Women.