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“Don’t Touch My Sign”

As Election Day approaches, tensions are beginning to show in what has so far been an unusually collaborative election cycle. A recent standoff between District 4 candidates Chad Lykins and Olivia Clark underscores the challenges of campaigning in crowded, low-visibility races.

Clark, whose resume includes leadership roles at TriMet and the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, took exception when Lykins' campaign manager unexpectedly returned one of her campaign signs to her during a candidate meet-and-greet, claiming it had been illegally placed near a bus stop. While Clark later suggested that Lykin’s campaign may have run afoul of the law by removing the sign, the Portland Bureau of Transportation did not immediately respond to an inquiry about whether private citizens may remove campaign signs that are not on their property.

Lykins—the owner and operator of Rose City Chess—justified the removal as a favor to Clark. In a Willamette Week endorsement interview, Lykins remarked that his staffer could have reported the sign to the appropriate authorities. Clark’s response? “Don’t do me any favors.”

Dust-Ups in the Mayoral Race

Mayoral frontrunners Carmen Rubio and Rene Gonzalez both faced negative headlines in September—Rubio over her troubled traffic record and Gonzalez due to a campaign finance investigation involving his use of city funds to edit his Wikipedia page.

Seizing the moment, trucking executive Keith Wilson sent an email to supporters positioning himself as someone who would not “embarrass the city”, accusing his rivals of “flagrant irresponsibility, nonstop drama, and misuse of public funds.”

City Commissioner Mingus Mapps also took aim at his colleagues in a tweet that expressed frustration about The Oregonian’s decision to invite Rubio and Gonzalez for endorsement interviews while excluding Mapps, who is also running for mayor.

“…character clearly isn’t the issue—my opponent Carmen Rubio, who has racked up over 150 parking tickets, is being considered. Rene Gonzalez also has traffic violations, questionable use of public funds, AND lied about a Black woman attacking him,” Mapps wrote, referring to a 911 call placed by Gonzalez earlier this year.

The two later debated Mapps’ allegations in a Willamette Week endorsement interview.

An earlier version of this story mistakenly attributed a tweet with a broken heart emoticon to City Commissioner Rene Gonzalez. Rose City Reform regrets the error.

Candidates Compete for Crime-Weary Voters

Public safety has emerged as the central issue in Portland’s 2024 election, with frontrunners Carmen Rubio and Rene Gonzalez both making it their top priority. Gonzalez, a self-described law-and-order candidate, advocates for stricter enforcement of public camping and drug bans. Rubio, in turn, promises a return to community policing, more support for police alternatives, and bringing back a North Portland police precinct.

Meanwhile, mayoral candidate Keith Wilson proposes to reduce crime and improve response times by introducing a network of emergency overnight shelters, which he says will ease the burden on first responders overwhelmed by calls related to unsheltered homelessness.

Council Hopefuls Split on Boosting Police Presence

Two recent candidate forums, hosted by KATU and Willamette University, identified public safety as the top priority for candidates in Districts 1 and 2. City Commissioner Dan Ryan went as far as describing his record as “a deciding vote to stop the defunding of the police,” referring to his role as the swing vote that stopped a 2020 proposal to cut $18 million from the Portland Police Bureau’s budget.

Nevertheless, candidates were divided on whether Portland should increase its police force. While some advocated for growing the number of sworn officers, others focused on filling existing vacancies and exploring police alternatives before adding new positions.

Highlights from KATU’s District 1 Forum

Highlights from KATU’s District 2 Forum

Women, Though Outnumbered, Lead Fundraising in Council Races

Despite comprising just over 25% of the candidate pool, women are leading men in fundraising for city council races. Six of the top 10 fundraisers are women. At the forefront is Tiffany Koyama Lane, a public school teacher and union organizer in District 3, followed by Olivia Clark, a former legislative director in District 4.

Of the five candidates who have qualified for multiple rounds of public campaign financing, four are women: Koyama Lane, Clark, Steph Routh (a sustainability advocate in District 1), and Angelita Morillo (an anti-hunger advocate and TikTok influencer in District 3). The only male candidate to qualify by September 30 is Nat West, a former cidermaker running in District 2.

Several other candidates are close to securing their second round of public financing, including Mariah Hudson, an OHSU communications specialist in District 2, who recently informed supporters that she had met the criteria, though the program’s website has not yet confirmed her status.

As Election Day approaches, it remains to be seen if women will maintain their fundraising advantage. As of now, the top 20 fundraisers are nearly evenly split, with nine women and 11 men in the mix.

Gonzalez Maintains Fundraising Lead

City Commissioner Rene Gonzalez remains the top fundraiser in Portland’s mayoral race, having raised nearly $288,000, according to filings with the Oregon Secretary of State. He is followed by trucking executive Keith Wilson and fellow Commissioner Carmen Rubio, who are currently tied at $234,000, respectively. All three candidates have received a public campaign financing payout of $100,000, which is reflected in their totals.

Political action committees (PACs) are also expected to pour money into the race. Friends of Rene Gonzalez, a PAC backing Gonzalez, currently has $70,000 on hand. Carmen Rubio is also expected to receive PAC support, though it's still unclear how much and from where.

Meet Your November Ballot

Multnomah County has released sample ballots for the historic 2024 city election. The ballot shown below lists candidates for Portland mayor. Ballots for council races will look similar, but unlike the mayoral race, where only one candidate wins, council elections will yield three winners in each district.

As a reminder, Portland’s electoral overhaul has nixed the primary election, meaning all contenders now appear on the November ballot. In Districts 3 and 4—Portland’s most crowded races—voters will have as many as 30 names to choose from.

A Sneak Peek at the Multnomah County Voters’ Pamphlet

Anxious to research your choices? The online version of the Multnomah County Voters’ Pamphlet is now available. For a more interactive experience, visit Rose City Reform’s candidate tracker, and try your hand at filtering all candidates by endorsements, pledges, or contributions.

And here’s the kicker: We don’t know exactly which candidates have met those critical deadlines yet.

Candidates Flock to the 2024 Ballot

Tuesday, August 27, marked the deadline for candidates vying for a spot on Portland’s 2024 general election ballot. With a few names still trickling in, a whopping 86 candidates have entered the City Council race, while 18 are running for mayor. Portland's City Auditor, Simone Rede, is running unopposed.

District 4 (West Portland and some inner southeast neighborhoods) has emerged as the most contested battleground, with 27 contenders, closely followed by District 3 (Southeast and Central neighborhoods) with 25. District 2 (North and Northeast neighborhoods) has 20 candidates, while District 1 (East Portland) has the smallest field with 15. The City will publish the final list of names to appear on the ballot by September 5.

To explore all candidates running for city office, visit the candidate tracker on our website.

Exclusive Preview: Our State of the Race Report

As the City finalizes its candidate roster, we’re offering Rose City Reform subscribers an exclusive sneak peek at our in-depth report on the historic 2024 candidate pool. Our comprehensive analysis explores demographics, emerging coalitions, and key trends of this landmark election. Curious about the age, gender, and racial/ethnic composition of the candidates, or which ones have raised the most money or secured the most endorsements? We’ve got the stats. True to Rose City Reform’s concise style, our report delivers a year’s worth of research packed into a 20-minute read.

That’s Not All—We’ve Got a New Podcast Too!

We’re thrilled to introduce our brand-new podcast, Stump Talk. This series will delve into Portland’s 2024 election, offering nuanced and often contrasting perspectives from a variety of engaging guests. From the historic number of candidates to the unique dynamics of ranked-choice voting—we’ll unpack it all. As a subscriber, you’ll be the first to listen—keep an eye on your inbox for an email with the first episode today, or simply click here to listen.

A Mad Dash to Unlock Taxpayer Financing

August 27 wasn’t just a filing deadline—it was a race against the clock for candidates to qualify for Portland’s public campaign financing program. This program, which turns a $20 contribution into $200 with a 9-to-1 match, is a game-changer for many campaigns. To qualify, mayoral candidates need 750 contributions, while council candidates need 250, with respective fundraising caps of $100,000 and $120,000. Missing this deadline means losing out on crucial taxpayer funding.

So far, 30+ council candidates and four mayoral hopefuls—Rene Gonzalez, Mingus Mapps, Carmen Rubio, and Keith Wilson—have secured their place in the program, with many more potentially joining as the city completes its review.

Gonzalez and Rubio Continue to Define Race

In last month’s Stump Talk newsletter, we discussed the alliances forming between mayoral frontrunners Carmen Rubio and Rene Gonzalez and the council candidates supporting their respective campaigns. As City Commissioners Gonzalez and Rubio unveil their endorsements, a few names have emerged as shared top picks. The most overlap occurs in District 4, where both Rubio and Gonzalez back Olivia Clark, Ben Hufford, Tony Morse, Stan Penkin, and Eric Zimmerman. The mayoral hopefuls also align on two candidates in District 2: their council colleague Dan Ryan, as well as Tiffani Penson.

Gonzalez Maintains Fundraising Lead

Rene Gonzalez continues to lead fundraising with just over $276,200, including $100,000 in public campaign financing and a substantial carryover from his 2022 race. Carmen Rubio follows with nearly $220,200, trailed by trucking company executive Keith Wilson, who has raised almost $201,000. Both Rubio and Wilson have received $100,000 in taxpayer funds, which is reflected in their totals. (Source: Oregon Secretary of State)

Koyama Lane Tops Council Fundraising

In the council race, sustainability and transit advocate Steph Routh leads fundraising in District 1 with nearly $140,000. In District 2, City Commissioner Dan Ryan is the top fundraiser with just over $127,000, while teacher and union organizer Tiffany Koyama Lane leads District 3 with nearly $145,000. Former legislative director Olivia Clark is the top fundraiser in District 4 with nearly $125,000. Routh, Koyama Lane, and Clark have each received an $80,000 public financing payout, while Ryan has received $40,000. (Source: Oregon Secretary of State)

Sources close to Tiffany Koyama Lane say she will soon be the first council candidate to max out on public financing at $120,000.

And now, without further ado, here’s your August candidate roundup, now listing only candidates who will appear on the ballot. For profiles of all city contenders, please visit Rose City Reform’s expanded candidate tracker.

Candidates for Portland Mayor:

1. Sadiq Ali

2. James Atkinson IV

3. Durrell Kinsey Bey

4. Shei'Meka (BeUtee) As-Salaam

5. Rene Gonzalez

6. Yao Jun He

7. Michael Hayes

8. Josh Leake

9. James MacDonald

10. Mingus Mapps

11. Alexander Landry Neely

12. Michael O'Callaghan

13. Liv Osthus (Viva Las Vegas)

14. Sharon Nasset

15. Carmen Rubio

16. Keith Wilson

17. Dustin Witherspoon

18. Martin Ward

Candidates for Portland City Council:

District 1 (D1) - East Portland

Portland

1. Candace Avalos

2. Doug Clove

3. Jamie Dunphy

4. Timur Ender

5. Joe Furi

6. Terrence Hayes

7. David Linn

8. Noah Ernst

9. Michael Sands

10. Peggy Sue Owens

11. Deian Salazar

12. Steph Routh

13. Thomas Shervey

14. Loretta Smith

15. Cayle Tern

District 2 (D2) - North/Northeast

1. James Armstrong

2. Reuben Berlin

3. Michelle DePass

4. Marnie Glickman

5. Mariah Hudson

6. Debbie Kitchin

7. Mike Marshall

8. William Mespelt

9. Christopher Olson

10. Jennifer Park

11. Tiffani Penson

12. Elana Pirtle-Guiney

13. Dan Ryan (incumbent)

14. Sam Sachs

15. Bob Simril

16. Laura Streib

17. Jonathan Tasini

18. Liz Taylor

19. Nat West

20. Nabil Zaghloul

District 3 (D3) - Central/Southeast

1. Matthew (Matt) Anderson

2. Sandeep Bali 

3. Melodie Beirwagen

4. Rex Burkholder

5. Christopher Brummer

6. Brian Conley

7. Jesse Cornett

8. Daniel DeMelo

9. Chris Flanary

10. Theo Hathaway Saner

11. Patrick Hilton

12. Kelly Janes (KJ)

13. Philippe Knab

14. Kenneth (Kent) R Landgraver III

15. Tiffany Koyama Lane

16. Angelita Morillo

17. Steve Novick

18. David O’Connor

19. Cristal Azul Otero

20. Terry Parker

21. Heart Free Pham

22. Jaclyn Smith-Moore

23. Jonathan (Jon) Walker 

24. Kezia Wanner

25. Luke Zak

District 4 (D4) - West

1. Joseph (Joe) Alfone

2. Eli Arnold 

3. Bob Callahan

4. Patrick Cashman

5. Olivia Clark

6. Raquel Coyote

7. Mike DiNapoli

8. Kelly Doyle

9. Brandon Farley

10. Lisa Freeman

11. John Goldsmith

12. Kevin Goldsmith

13. Mitch Green

14. Chris Henry

15. Ben Hufford

16. Chad Lykins

17. Chloe Mason

18. Tony Morse

19. Lee Odell

20. Stanley Penkin

21. Moses Ross

22. Sarah Silkie

23. Ciatta Thompson

24. Michael Trimble

25. Andra Vltavín

26. Bob Weinstein

27. Eric Zimmerman

Candidates for Portland Auditor:

• Simone Rede (incumbent)

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Rubio and Gonzalez as Political Barometers

As election season intensifies, candidates for Portland City Council are increasingly rallying behind the platforms of mayoral frontrunners Rene Gonzalez and Carmen Rubio. In crowded council races, where candidates often struggle to capture enough media attention to communicate their messages to voters, an association with Rubio or Gonzalez can boost visibility and provide useful cues about candidates’ ideological leanings.

An ongoing candidate interview series in the Willamette Week highlights this trend. Out of the six council candidates quizzed so far, four identified Rubio—a staunch progressive—as the sitting council member they most align with. The other two chose Gonzalez, a moderate Democrat whose platform revolves around public safety and livability issues.

Emerging Alliances

So, which council candidates have gotten the nod from Rubio and Gonzalez? To date, Rubio has been most generous with her endorsements, backing 11 council candidates. Names range from some of the most progressive candidates in the field, such as teacher and union organizer Tiffany Koyama Lane in District 3, to more pragmatic contenders like City Commissioner Dan Ryan in District 2. While Gonzalez has not yet issued any formal endorsements, he has publicly expressed support for small business owner Terrence Hayes in District 1 and police officer Eli Arnold in District 4.

Who joined and exited the race?

July introduced three new mayoral candidates and three new council contenders. Nancy Congdon, president and founder of the asset management firm Blue Water Wealth, is running for Portland mayor. She’s joined by maintenance supervisor Dustin Witherspoon, and Yao Jun He, who lists work experience with the Chinese government as a qualification.

In District 1, former Multnomah County Commissioner Loretta Smith confirmed months of speculation by announcing her bid, raising over $11,000 in the first weeks of campaigning. Meanwhile, District 4 saw three new candidates join the race: physician Thomas Dodson, engineering consultant Kevin Goldsmith, and hotel front manager Ciatta Thompson. Also in District 4, Jeremy Beausoleil Smith withdrew from the ballot for personal reasons.

The filing window for city seats closes on August 27.

Interest Groups Pick Favorites

Multiple interest groups unveiled their picks for mayor and council last month. The Portland Fire Fighters Association, after backing Rene Gonzalez for mayor, endorsed 11 council candidates across all four districts. The Portland Police Association has also endorsed Gonzalez, along with six council candidates.

The Working Families Party of Oregon announced its first round of endorsements, selecting multiple progressive candidates. The social justice group Portland For All also made its picks in Districts 1 and 3, while the livability-focused group Future Portland published a list of “candidates to watch”.

Gonzalez and Rubio Qualify for Public Financing

Mayoral candidates Rene Gonzalez and Carmen Rubio both reached campaign milestones in July by qualifying for matching funds from Portland’s public campaign financing program. Both candidates have collected and certified 750 small contributions from individual Portlanders, earning them respective payouts of $100,000. Not counting public financing, Gonzalez has raised approximately $170,700, while Rubio has amassed roughly $103,600. Trucking company executive Keith Wilson holds the third fundraising spot with nearly $85,000 raised.

Source: Oregon Secretary of State

Routh Is Still Top Fundraiser, But Others Are Catching Up

Transportation advocate Steph Routh (D1) continues to lead fundraising among council candidates, amassing over $137,000, including $80,000 in public campaign financing. Trailing her is anti-hunger advocate Angelita Morillo (D3) with $128,100, also bolstered by $80,000 in public funds. In third place is City Commissioner Dan Ryan (D2), who has raised nearly $119,000, with $40,000 coming from public campaign financing. Other candidates with significant fundraising progress include City of Portland manager Tiffani Penson (D2), public school teacher and union organizer Tiffany Koyama Lane (D3), and former City Commissioner Steve Novick (D3).

Source: Oregon Secretary of State

And now, without further ado, here’s your July candidate roundup. For personalized profiles of all city candidates, please visit Rose City Reform’s expanded candidate tracker.

Candidates for Portland Mayor

1. Shei'Meka (BeUtee) As-Salaam (no website)

2. Nancy Congdon

3. Rene Gonzalez

4. Yao Jun He (no website)

5. Durrell Kinsey Bey

6. Mingus Mapps

7. Michael O'Callaghan

8. Liv Osthus

9. Carmen Rubio

10. Marshall Runkel

11. Keith Wilson

12. Dustin Witherspoon

Incumbent:

• Ted Wheeler (not seeking reelection)

Candidates for Portland City Council:

Each district elects three representatives.

DISTRICT 1 (D1) - East Portland

1. Candace Avalos

2. Doug Clove

3. Jamie Dunphy

4. Timur Ender

5. Noah Ernst

6. Joe Furi (no website)

7. Terrence Hayes

8. David Linn

9. Sonja McKenzie

10. Peggy Sue Owens

11. Steph Routh

12. Deian Salazar

13. Michael Sands (no website)

14. Thomas Shervey (no website)

15. Loretta Smith (no website)

16. Cayle Tern

DISTRICT 2 (D2) - North/Northeast

1. James Armstrong

2. Reuben Berlin

3. Alan Blake

4. David Burnell

5. Michelle DePass

6. Marnie Glickman

7. Mariah Hudson

8. Sameer Kanal

9. Debbie Kitchin

10. Mike Marshall

11. William Mespelt

12. Jennifer Park

13. Elana Pirtle-Guiney

14. John Middleton

15. Christopher Olson

16. Tiffani Penson

17. Dan Ryan

18. Sam Sachs

19. Laura Streib

20. Bob Simril

21. Jonathan Tasini

22. Nat West

23. Nabil Zaghloul

Potential

• Erin Crum (candidate committee)

Exited race:

• Joseph Emerson

• Marc Koller

• Brooklyn Sherman

District 3 (D3) - Central/Southeast Portland

1. Matthew Anderson

2. Sandeep Bali

3. Melodie Beirwagen (no website)

4. Rex Burkholder

5. Jesse Cornett

6. Daniel DeMelo

7. Chris Flanary

8. Daniel Gilk

9. Kelly Janes

10. Philippe Knab

11. Tiffany Koyama Lane

12. Kenneth Landgraver (no website)

13. Angelita Morillo

14. Steve Novick

15. David O’Connor (no website)

16. Ahlam Osman

17. Terry Parker (no website)

18. Theo Hathaway Saner

19. Jaclyn Smith-Moore

20. Jonathan Walker

21. Luke Zak

Exited race:

• Robin Ye

District 4 (D4) - West Portland and the Reed, Sellwood and Westmoreland Neighborhoods

1. Eli Arnold

2. Patrick Cashman (no website)

3. Olivia Clark

4. Michael DiNapoli

5. Thomas Dodson (no website)

6. Brandon Farley (no website)

7. Lisa Freeman

8. Mitch Green

9. Chris Henry

10. Ben Hufford

11. Chad Lykins

12. Tony Morse

13. Stan Penkin

14. Moses Ross

15. Sarah Silkie

16. Ciatta Thompson (no website)

17. John Toran

18. Michael Trimble

19. Soren Underdahl

20. Andra Vltavín

21. Bob Weinstein

22. Eric Zimmerman

Exited race:

• Chomba Kaluba, Jeremy Beausoleil Smith

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Three new faces in Portland mayor’s race

Marshall Runkel, former chief of staff to City Commissioner Chloe Eudaly, tossed his hat in the ring for Portland mayor. So did Michael O'Callaghan, a houseless advocate best known for suing the city over his confiscated belongings while living outside. Shei'Meka (BeUtee) As-Salaam of Black Women for Peace also filed to appear on the ballot.

Who else might be contemplating a run? Nancy Congdon, president and founder of the asset management firm Blue Water Wealth, has formed a candidate committee to explore a mayoral bid.

Nearly 80 candidates are running for City Council

June welcomed eight new council candidates, bringing the total council candidate pool to 79 contenders. In District 1, trial attorney and former Sacramento city councilor Michael Sands joined the race, as did Peggy Sue Owens, a small business owner who unsuccessfully ran for council in 2022.

District 3’s lineup now includes Terry Parker, a former customer relations manager who lost a council bid in 2020, as well as LGBTQ+ advocate Jaclyn Smith-Moore, and Kenneth Landgraver, a scientific instrument technician with the Department of Consumer and Business Services.

In District 4, truck driver Chris Henry and former marine Patrick Cashman are both seeking a seat. Additionally, Portland videographer Brandon Farley launched a parody bid as a protest against the city’s new electoral system. "Don’t vote for me. Just watch for entertainment," tweeted Farley, who previously ran for council in 2022.

Want to learn more? Visit Rose City Reform’s website for personalized profiles of all city candidates.

Candidates land sought-after endorsements

City Commissioner Rene Gonzalez, who oversees the Portland Fire Bureau, earned endorsements from the Portland Firefighters Association and the Portland Police Association (PPA). The PPA also endorsed council candidate Olivia Clark in District 4. Meanwhile, City Commissioner Carmen Rubio secured endorsements from Governor Tina Kotek and the Portland Teachers Association (PAT). PAT also endorsed nine council candidates: Marnie Glickman, Tiffani Penson, and Jonathan Tasini in District 2; Jesse Cornett, Tiffany Koyama Lane, and Angelita Morillo in District 3; and Mitch Green, Chad Lykins, and Sarah Silkie in District 4.

PAT controversy spills into council races

As PAT became the center of controversy over teaching materials related to the Gaza conflict, some PAT-backed candidates spoke out against what they perceived as antisemitic messaging. Among them were Jesse Cornett in District 3, and Chad Lykins and Sarah Silkie in District 4. Some candidates who didn’t get the PAT nod, including Sam Sachs (D2), Deian Salazar (D1), and Bob Weinstein (D4), publicly criticized the organization for not condemning teaching materials that referred to Israeli people as “bullies” and encouraged students to pray to Allah.

Candidates react to Grants Pass SCOTUS ruling

The recent SCOTUS ruling upholding a public camping ban in Grants Pass, a city in southwestern Oregon, elicited mixed reactions from candidates. City Commissioner and mayoral candidate Gonzalez welcomed the ruling, while others voiced concerns about attempts at criminalizing homelessness. Read Rose City Reform’s story about the candidates’ varied reactions here.

Gonzalez maintains fundraising lead

City Commissioner Rene Gonzalez leads fundraising in the mayor’s race with $164,500, including carryover funds from a previous election cycle. City Commissioner Carmen Rubio holds the second spot with $94,200, trailed by her colleague Mingus Mapps with $66,900.

Steph Routh surges ahead in council race

Steph Routh (D1) is the top fundraiser across all council districts with $135,700, including $80,000 in public campaign financing. She is trailed by City Commissioner Dan Ryan (D2), who has raised $113,000, while Olivia Clark (D4) holds the third spot with $110,800. Both Ryan and Clark have qualified for a $40,000 public match, included in their respective totals.

Thank you for your patience!

Rose City Reform will be back at the end of July with candidate round-up. There will be no mid-July post, as we recharge our batteries to bring you oodles of election coverage in the fall. Can’t live without election news? Fret not—the Rose City Reform blog will still be updated on weekdays throughout July.

And now, without further ado, here’s your June candidate roundup:

Candidates for Portland Mayor

1. Shei'Meka (BeUtee) As-Salaam (no website)

2. Rene Gonzalez

3. Durrell Kinsey Bey

4. Mingus Mapps

5. Michael O'Callaghan

6. Liv Osthus

7. Carmen Rubio

8. Marshall Runkel

9. Keith Wilson

Potential

• Nancy Congdon (Candidate Committee)

Incumbent:

• Ted Wheeler (not seeking reelection)

Candidates for Portland City Council:

Each district elects three representatives.

DISTRICT 1 (D1) - East Portland

1. Candace Avalos

2. Doug Clove (no website)

3. Jamie Dunphy

4. Timur Ender

5. Noah Ernst

6. Joe Furi (no website)

7. Terrence Hayes

8. David Linn

9. Sonja McKenzie

10. Peggy Sue Owens

11. Steph Routh

12. Deian Salazar

13. Michael Sands (no website)

14. Thomas Shervey (no website)

15. Cayle Tern

DISTRICT 2 (D2) - North/Northeast

1. James Armstrong

2. Reuben Berlin

3. Alan Blake

4. David Burnell

5. Michelle DePass

6. Marnie Glickman

7. Mariah Hudson

8. Sameer Kanal

9. Debbie Kitchin

10. Mike Marshall

11. William Mespelt

12. Jennifer Park

13. Elana Pirtle-Guiney

14. John Middleton

15. Christopher Olson

16. Tiffani Penson

17. Dan Ryan

18. Sam Sachs

19. Laura Streib

20. Bob Simril

21. Jonathan Tasini

22. Nat West

23. Nabil Zaghloul

Potential

• Erin Crum (candidate committee)

Exited race:

• Joseph Emerson

• Marc Koller

• Brooklyn Sherman

District 3 (D3) - Central/Southeast Portland

1. Matthew Anderson

2. Sandeep Bali

3. Melodie Beirwagen (no website)

4. Rex Burkholder

5. Jesse Cornett

6. Daniel DeMelo

7. Chris Flanary

8. Daniel Gilk

9. Kelly Janes

10. Philippe Knab

11. Tiffany Koyama Lane

12. Kenneth Landgraver (no website)

13. Angelita Morillo

14. Steve Novick

15. Ahlam Osman

16. Terry Parker (no website)

17. Theo Hathaway Saner

18. Jaclyn Smith-Moore

19. Jonathan Walker

20. Luke Zak

Exited race:

• Robin Ye

District 4 (D4) - West Portland and the Reed, Sellwood and Westmoreland Neighborhoods

1. Eli Arnold

2. Jeremy Beausoleil Smith

3. Patrick Cashman (no website)

4. Olivia Clark

5. Michael DiNapoli

6. Brandon Farley (no website)

7. Lisa Freeman

8. Mitch Green

9. Chris Henry

10. Ben Hufford

11. Chad Lykins

12. Tony Morse

13. Stan Penkin

14. Moses Ross

15. Sarah Silkie

16. John Toran

17. Michael Trimble

18. Soren Underdahl

19. Andra Vltavín

20. Bob Weinstein

21. Eric Zimmerman

Exited race:

• Chomba Kaluba

Candidates for Portland Auditor

Simone Rede (incumbent)

Meet our very own team of puppet YouTubers, here to explain how council elections are changing as a result of Portland’s reforms.

So grab the popcorn, and let our felted friends tell you everything you need to know about Portland’s new voting system.

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Rose City Reform would like to thank the creative duo Devin Boone (director) and Ian Boone (animator) for making this educational video a reality. We also want to give credit to the following wildly talented artists: Qing Wang (puppets and costumes), Kesiah Manival (set and prop fabrication), Kristen Studdard (narration), and Porter Young (animation).

Wait, there’s more!

Today, we’re unveiling our redesigned website, which features an expanded and searchable candidate tracker for all city races. Make sure to bookmark it for easy-to-access information about your choices of representation in November.

If you enjoy the Rose City Reform blog, don’t worry—the website does not replace the blog. If you’re like us and don’t want to miss a thing, bookmark both pages to keep your finger on the pulse at all times!

Who joined the race in May?

John Toran, a long-time community organizer and the owner of the cannabis dispensary RJ’s Leaf, has entered the race for District 4. Meanwhile, Bob Simril, a veteran sales executive with experience at Coca-Cola and Microsoft, is seeking a seat in District 2. Simril is joined by Sameer Kanal, who manages community engagement for the city’s community safety division.

District 3 also welcomed two candidates this month. First out was Ahlam Osman, president of the environmental justice nonprofit Somali Empowerment Circle. Melodie Beirwagen has also declared her intention to run in this district.

Robin Ye exits District 3 race.

Social and environmental justice advocate Robin Ye announced on May 16 that he would exit the District 3 race to focus on his family.

“The path has changed for me, but I’m still a Portlander who believes in the city that we love,” said Ye, who was among the top fundraisers in his district and enjoyed support from numerous progressive leaders.

May also saw Chomba Kaluba, an athletic apparel entrepreneur, drop out of the District 4 race.

Gonzalez continues to outpace other mayoral candidates.

City Commissioner and mayoral candidate Rene Gonzalez has raised over twice as much money as his colleague and nearest competitor, Carmen Rubio. According to filings with the Secretary of State, Gonzalez has amassed $148,300 to Rubio’s $72,400. City Commissioner Mingus Mapps trails behind with $63,900, closely followed by transportation executive Keith Wilson with $61,600.

Olivia Clark surpasses $100K in fundraising.

District 4 candidate Olivia Clark has exceeded $100,000 in fundraising for her council race. Clark, whose background includes roles at TriMet and the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, has raised $100,400. This includes a $40,000 match from Portland’s public campaign financing program.

Clark is trailed by District 1 candidate Steph Routh, who has raised $93,500, including a $40,000 public match. Routh’s total will likely get a boost in the coming days since she recently qualified for an additional $40,000 public match.

Have a tip for the candidate tracker?

We’d love to hear from you! Email us at info@rosecityreform.org, or hit reply to this newsletter.

Now, without further ado, here’s your May candidate round-up:

Candidates for Portland Mayor:

1. Rene Gonzalez

2. Durrell Kinsey Bey

3. Mingus Mapps

4. Liv Osthus

5. Carmen Rubio

6. Keith Wilson

Incumbent:

• Ted Wheeler (not seeking reelection)

Candidates for Portland City Council:

Each district elects three representatives.

DISTRICT 1 (D1) - EAST PORTLAND

1. Candace Avalos

2. Jamie Dunphy

3. Timur Ender

4. Noah Ernst

5. Joe Furi (no website)

6. Terrence Hayes

7. David Linn

8. Sonja McKenzie

9. Steph Routh

10. Deian Salazar

11. Thomas Shervey (no website)

12. Cayle Tern

Potential

• Former County Commissioner Loretta Smith (rumored)

DISTRICT 2 (D2) - NORTH/NORTHEAST

1. James Armstrong

2. Alan Blake

3. Reuben Berlin

4. David Burnell

5. Michelle DePass

6. Marnie Glickman

7. Mariah Hudson

8. Sameer Kanal

9. Debbie Kitchin

10. Mike Marshall

11. William Mespelt

12. John Middleton

13. Chris Olson

14. Jennifer Park

15. Tiffani Penson

16. Elana Pirtle-Guiney

17. Dan Ryan (incumbent)

18. Sam Sachs

19. Bob Simril

20. Laura Streib

21. Jonathan Tasini

22. Nat West

23. Nabil Zaghloul

Potential

• Erin Crum (candidate committee)

Exited race:

• Joseph Emerson

• Marc Koller

• Brooklyn Sherman

District 3 (D3) - Central/Southeast

1. Matthew Anderson (no website)

2. Sandeep Bali

3. Melodie Beirwagen (no website)

4. Rex Burkholder

5. Jesse Cornett

6. Daniel DeMelo

7. Chris Flanary

8. Daniel Gilk

9. Kelly Janes

10. Philippe Knab

11. Tiffany Koyama Lane

12. Angelita Morillo

13. Steve Novick

14. Ahlam Osman (no website)

15. Theo Hathaway Saner

16. Jonathan Walker

17. Luke Zak

Potential

• Rachel Clark (rumored)

Exited race:

• Robin Ye

District 4 (D4) - West

1. Eli Arnold

2. Olivia Clark

3. Michael DiNapoli

4. Lisa Freeman

5. Mitch Green

6. Ben Hufford

7. Chad Lykins

8. Tony Morse

9. Stan Penkin

10. Moses Ross

11. John Toran

12. Sarah Silkie

13. Jeremy Beausoleil Smith

14. Michael Trimble

15. Soren Underdahl

16. Andra Vltavín

17. Bob Weinstein

18. Eric Zimmerman

Exited race:

• Chomba Kaluba

Candidates for Portland Auditor

Simone Rede (incumbent)

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Chances are you’ve heard of Portland Street Response, Portland’s city program deploying unarmed teams to address mental health crises. But have you heard of the Save Portland Street Response Pledge?

Over twenty candidates have signed this pledge, circulated by the grassroots coalition Friends of Portland Street Response. Within sixty days of taking office, signatories commit to passing an ordinance to secure funding for Portland Street Response to operate citywide and around the clock. Additionally, the pledge binds councilors to support funding for the program’s 24/7 operations in every budget cycle and to establish it as a co-equal branch of the city’s first responder network.

Pledges send political cues to voters.

Why do candidates sign pledges? These commitments can be an efficient way to make campaign promises to voters and gain visibility in a crowded field. Candidates frequently post about their pledges on social media, and pledge organizers can help draw attention to candidates and mobilize voters.

But what about candidates who don’t sign the Save Portland Street Response Pledge? Should voters assume they don’t support the program? Not so fast. Some candidates, like Elana Pirtle-Guiney in District 2, prefer not to sign pledges with explicit budgetary commitments to avoid having to break promises to voters later.

“In some cases, that means I'm not signing pledges on issues that I strongly support,” Pirtle-Guiney told Rose City Reform.

Pirtle-Guiney hopes voters will instead consider her actions and statements, such as testifying in favor of expanded funding for Portland Street Response and listing the program as a priority on her website.

“But I'm not willing to sign a pledge committing to taking very specific actions when I don't know what the makeup of the council will be or how deep the budget cuts are that we'll need to make,” she says.

Anti-endorsement pledges: Less about money, more about ideology.

Pledges aren’t just about what candidates will do – sometimes, they signal what they won’t do. For instance, multiple candidates have signed the No Police Money Pledge and the No Fossil Fuel Money Pledge, rejecting contributions and endorsements from police unions and organizations associated with the coal, gas, and oil sectors.

While anti-endorsement pledges can come at some political cost, they also help communicate a candidate’s values to voters. For example, candidates who have signed both of these pledges – Candace Avalos and Timur Ender in District 1, Christopher Olson in District 2, Angelita Morillo and Robin Ye in District 3, and Andra Vltavín in District 4 – share backgrounds in organizing for criminal justice reform and climate action. For voters unfamiliar with these names, a quick glance at their pledges provides instant clues about their priorities.

Pledges don’t tell the whole story, however. Often, a candidate’s decision to decline a pledge is less about a specific issue and more about preserving relationships and the freedom to arrive at independent decisions.

Who joined the council race in April?

Michelle DePass, a member of the Portland School Board and the first person of color to chair it, entered the District 2 race. She was joined by Sam Sachs, founder of the racial justice organization The No Hate Zone, and Nabil Zaghloul, director of Multnomah County’s bilingual social services hub Bienestar de la Familia.

District 3 also saw three new faces this month. Kelly Janes, president of the Foster-Powell Neighborhood Association and founder of the web design firm OwlX Collective, threw her hat in the ring. So did Jonathan Walker, a freelance writer and policy analyst for the Oregon Health Authority, and Luke Zak, a political organizer and sales manager at Travel Salem.

Who dropped out?

Brooklyn Sherman exited the District 2 race, encouraging supporters to vote for James Armstrong instead. Armstrong, a small business owner and forensic accountant, recently played a key role in uncovering financial mismanagement at the nonprofit Alberta Main Street.

Who leads fundraising?

Rene Gonzalez holds steady as the top fundraiser in the mayor’s race with $130,400 raised. This month, Carmen Rubio overtook Mingus Mapps as the runner-up by raising $60,800 to Mapps’ $59,600.

The fundraising frontrunner in each council district is Steph Routh (D1) with $85,900 raised; Dan Ryan (D2) with $53,300; Angelita Morillo (D3) with $78,300 raised; and Olivia Clark (D4) with $88,000. Routh, Morillo, and Clark have all received a $40,000 public match from the city’s public campaign financing program, which is reflected in their total.

Want real-time election coverage? Head over to Rose City Reform’s daily candidate tracker.

Now, without further ado, here’s your April candidate round-up.

Candidates for Portland Mayor:

1. Rene Gonzalez

2. Durrell Kinsey Bey

3. Mingus Mapps

4. Liv Osthus

5. Carmen Rubio

6. Keith Wilson

Incumbent:

• Ted Wheeler (not seeking reelection)

Candidates for Portland City Council:

Each district elects three representatives.

DISTRICT 1 (D1) - EAST PORTLAND

1. Candace Avalos

2. Jamie Dunphy

3. Timur Ender

4. Noah Ernst

5. Joe Furi (no website)

6. Terrence Hayes

7. David Linn

8. Sonja McKenzie

9. Steph Routh

10. Deian Salazar

11. Thomas Shervey (no website)

12. Cayle Tern

Potential

• Former County Commissioner Loretta Smith (rumored)

DISTRICT 2 (D2) - NORTH/NORTHEAST

1. James Armstrong

2. Reuben Berlin

3. Alan Blake

4. David Burnell

5. Michelle DePass

6. Marnie Glickman

7. Mariah Hudson

8. Debbie Kitchin

9. Marc Koller

10. Mike Marshall

11. William Mespelt

12. John Middleton

13. Christopher Olson

14. Jennifer Park

15. Tiffani Penson

16. Elana Pirtle-Guiney

17. Dan Ryan

18. Sam Sachs

19. Laura Streib

20. Jonathan Tasini

21. Nat West

22. Nabil Zaghloul

Potential

• Erin Crum (candidate committee)

District 3 (D3) - Central/Southeast

1. Matthew Anderson (no website)

2. Sandeep Bali

3. Rex Burkholder

4. Jesse Cornett

5. Daniel DeMelo

6. Chris Flanary

7. Daniel Gilk

8. Kelly Janes

9. Philippe Knab

10. Tiffany Koyama Lane

11. Angelita Morillo

12. Steve Novick

13. Theo Hathaway Saner

14. Robin Ye

15. Jonathan Walker (no website)

16. Luke Zak

Potential

• Ahlam Osman (candidate committee)

• Rachel Clark (rumored)

District 4 (D4) - West

1. Eli Arnold

2. Olivia Clark

3. Michael DiNapoli

4. Lisa Freeman

5. Mitch Green

6. Ben Hufford

7. Chomba Kaluba

8. Chad Lykins

9. Tony Morse

10. Stan Penkin

11. Moses Ross

12. Jeremy Beausoleil Smith

13. Michael Trimble

14. Soren Underdahl

15. Andra Vltavín

16. Bob Weinstein

17. Eric Zimmerman

18. Sarah Silkie

Potential

• Kelly Michael Doyle (rumored)

• John Toran (candidate committee)

• Nik Blosser (rumored)

• County Commissioner Sharon Meieran (rumored)

Candidates for Portland Auditor

Declared

Simone Rede (Incumbent)

In a crowded field, many contenders are joining forces to boost their visibility and highlight critical issues.

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As we wave goodbye to March, a whopping seventy-one candidates are currently vying for a seat at City Hall. Sixty-four of them have their sights set on the city council.

With such an abundance of candidates, how are council hopefuls expected to get their message out? For many, the solution is to band together to reach a broader audience and signal ideological alignment.

In a move emblematic of the 2024 election cycle, District 2 candidate and former cidermaker Nat West launched his campaign last weekend, joined on stage by two handfuls of council candidates he called “values-aligned.” The group included fellow District 2 contestants Jennifer Park and Elana Pirtle-Guiney.

Candidates rally behind Portland Street Response.

City Hall’s contentious budget cycle is also inspiring candidates to take collective stands. Over fifteen candidates have signed the Friends of PSR pledge. PSR stands for Portland Street Response, the city’s popular but cash-strapped unarmed crisis intervention team. Candidates who sign the pledge vow to pass an ordinance within two months of taking office that would secure funding for the program to operate 24/7 and establish it as an equal branch of the city’s first responder network. The list of signatories can be found here.

Who joined the race in March?

The past month saw five new entrants to the council race, including Mike Marshall, the founder of Oregon Recovers. Marshall, who appeared in Rose City Reform’s most recent feature story, has raised over $20,000 since his announcement.

District 2 also welcomed William Mespelt, a small business owner and property manager, and Nabil Zaghloul, director of a Multnomah County bilingual social services hub.

In District 3, Theo Hathaway Saner, a property manager for low-income renters, joined the fray. Lisa Freeman, a community safety manager for the City of Portland, is the latest newcomer in District 4.

Women are underrepresented in city races.

March was Women’s History Month and the radio station XRAY.FM hosted a candidate forum featuring women and non-binary candidates. Notably, women account for a mere 25% of Portland’s council candidate pool and only a third of mayoral candidates.

While men outnumber women in all districts, the top fundraiser in each district is female. Steph Routh leads District 1, Mariah Hudson tops District 2, and Angelita Morillo and Olivia Clark are the frontrunners in District 3 and District 4.

Gonzalez breaks the $100K fundraising mark.

According to data from the City of Portland, City Commissioner Rene Gonzalez comfortably leads mayoral fundraising efforts with over $100,000 raised. Fellow commissioner and mayoral hopeful Mingus Mapps has raised less than half that amount, $49,000, despite launching his campaign almost six months before Gonzalez. City Commissioner Carmen Rubio has amassed $39,000, while Keith Wilson and Liv Osthus stand at $23,000 and $6,000, respectively.

Early start for union endorsements.

Unions are taking an early lead in endorsing candidates for this election cycle, and they’re largely backing the same candidates. Tony Morse (D4) and Jonathan Tasini (D2) enjoy the strongest union support. Other candidates backed by unions include Jamie Dunphy, Timur Ender, and Steph Routh in District 1, Mariah Hudson and Elana Pirtle-Guiney in District 2, Chris Flanary and Tiffany Koyama Lane in District 3, and Olivia Clark, Tony Morse, and Eric Zimmerman in District 4. Thus far, no candidates in District 3 have received a union nod.

Want real-time election coverage? Head over to the Rose City Reform’s daily candidate tracker!

Interested in the city’s transition to a new governance system? Catch North Star Civic Foundation’s upcoming event series. Register to attend here.

And, without further ado, here’s your full list of candidates running for city seats:

Portland Mayor:

1. Rene Gonzalez

2. Durrell Kinsey Bey

3. Mingus Mapps

4. Liv Osthus

5. Carmen Rubio

6. Keith Wilson

Incumbent: Ted Wheeler (not seeking re-election)

Portland City Council:

Each district elects three representatives.

DISTRICT 1 (D1) - EAST PORTLAND

1. Candace Avalos

2. Jamie Dunphy

3. Timur Ender

4. Noah Ernst

5. Joe Furi (no website)

6. Terrence Hayes

7. David Linn

8. Sonja McKenzie

9. Steph Routh

10. Thomas Shervey (no website)

11. Deian Salazar

12. Cayle Tern

Rumored: Former Multnomah County Commissioner Loretta Smith

DISTRICT 2 (D2) - NORTH/NORTHEAST

1. James Armstrong

2. Reuben Berlin

3. Alan Blake

4. David Burnell

5. Mike Marshall

6. Marnie Glickman

7. Mariah Hudson

8. Debbie Kitchin

9. Marc Koller

10. William Mespelt

11. John Middleton

12. Christopher Olson

13. Jennifer Park

14. Tiffani Penson

15. Elana Pirtle-Guiney

16. Dan Ryan (incumbent)

17. Brooklyn Sherman

18. Laura Streib

19. Jonathan Tasini

20. Nat West

21. Nabil Zaghloul (no website)

Rumored: PPS School Board Member Michelle DePass

DISTRICT 3 (D3) - CENTRAL/SOUTHEAST

1. Matthew Anderson (no website)

2. Sandeep Bali

3. Rex Burkholder

4. Jesse Cornett

5. Daniel DeMelo

6. Chris Flanary

7. Daniel Gilk

8. Philippe Knab

9. Tiffany Koyama Lane

10. Angelita Morillo

11. Steve Novick

12. Theo Hathaway Saner (no website)

13. Robin Ye 

Rumored: Rachel Clark, daughter of late Mayor Bud Clark

DISTRICT 4 (D4) - WEST

1. Eli Arnold

2. Olivia Clark

3. Michael DiNapoli

4. Lisa Freeman

5. Mitch Green

6. Ben Hufford

7. Chomba Kaluba

8. Chad Lykins

9. Tony Morse

10. Stan Penkin

11. Moses Ross

12. Sarah Silkie

13. Jeremy Beausoleil Smith

14. Michael Trimble (no website)

15. Soren Underdahl

16. Andra Vltavín

17. Bob Weinstein

18. Eric Zimmerman

Rumored: Attorney Kelly Michael Doyle, small business owner and Oregon Voter Digest host John Toran, and Former PGE Exec Nik Blosser

Portland Auditor

Simone Rede (incumbent)

Then you’re in luck! This month kicks off our candidate spotlight series.

In our first installment, celebrating Black History Month, we introduce five council candidates who identify as Black.

Many Rose City Reform readers will recognize Candace Avalos as a former charter commissioner and a leading force behind Portland’s government reform measure. Avalos now leads the environmental advocacy group Verde and is a former chair of the Citizen Review Committee, a city board dedicated to police accountability. An alumna of Emerge, a training program for Democratic women, Avalos lost her first council bid to City Commissioner Carmen Rubio in 2020. Now, as a recent Oregon Labor Candidate School graduate, she’s campaigning for a seat in District 1 (East Portland).

Also seeking to represent District 1 is Terrence Hayes, an entrepreneur who owns a graffiti removal business. Hayes, whose cousin was fatally shot by a Portland police officer in 2017, chairs the city's Focused Intervention Task Force Community Oversight Group, advising law enforcement on how to curb gun violence and excessive use of police force.

In District 2 (Northeast Portland), David Burnell is a licensed drug and alcohol counselor who serves on the Government Transition Advisory Committee, which oversees Portland's reform process. Enrolled in the Oregon Labor Candidate School, Burnell is also a Multnomah County Democratic Party organizer.

Fellow District 2 candidate John Middleton is an entrepreneur who operated his own commercial cleaning business for six years. Middleton serves on the board of Community Warehouse, a nonprofit that provides household items to people experiencing homelessness.

Last but not least, Tiffani Penson currently works for the city she wants to represent. With two decades of experience as a city employee, Penson – who’s running in District 2 – is a people and culture manager at City Hall. As a twice-elected Portland Community College board member, she already holds public office.

Let’s hear what the five candidates have to say.

Candace Avalos (D1)

Why are you running for office?

It’s no secret that the challenges facing Portland are many and complex. Yet, Portland has the biggest opportunity in more than a century to transform how we lead our city. In 2025, when we implement the voter-approved changes to our city government, we’ll finally give voice to East Portlanders who have long been left behind by our city. As a longtime community advocate and grassroots organizer, I have shown my love for this city by being part of solutions to our biggest challenges. After many years as an active civic leader in Portland’s politics, I’m inspired to run for council to bring my policy expertise and community-minded leadership to City Hall.

What unique life or professional experience do you have that’s needed at City Hall?

I am a first-generation “Blacktina,” a daughter of Black Americans from southern Virginia and Guatemalan immigrants who immigrated to Washington, D.C., in the 1970s. The experiences of my multiracial family have shaped my justice-centered values and sparked my interest in government accountability. That led me down a path of service in student government and inspired my first career as an educator. As the Executive Director of Verde, a nonprofit that brings environmental investments to Portland's neighborhoods, I have overseen an organization actively correcting historic injustices to low-income communities and people of color on the frontlines of climate change. I have served on various city commissions, including the Citizen Review Committee, where I fought for increased transparency and accountability in law enforcement, and the Charter Review Committee, where I worked with the community to modernize and strengthen Portland’s form of government. The combination of my personal life story and years of civic service will help me be a community-minded, effective, and responsive leader for East Portland. 

Portland has big issues to tackle. What are you hopeful about?

I feel blessed to live in a vibrant city full of opportunities. This is a driving force for my motivation to be East Portland’s champion on the Portland City Council. What inspires me in a city that’s been heavily influenced by monied interests set on destroying Portland’s reputation is that Portlanders continue to show up to challenge the status quo and move a community-centered agenda forward. We cannot discount the progress we’ve made in various aspects of city life. That should re-energize us and give us hope that when we fight, we win. We’re a city full of character, depth, and creativity. Despite our flaws, we have an active community of advocates fighting for change. That fills me with hope.

Terrence Hayes (D1)

Why are you running for office?

Portland, and especially East County, deserves leadership that will listen to its people and execute on their behalf. This city deserves to be clean, safe, and affordable. I decided to run because I believe in this city. I’m committed to fighting for its people - all of its people.

What unique life and or professional experience do you have that's needed at city hall?

As a small business owner I both understand the challenges of running a small business and what it takes for business to grow and thrive in Portland.  I will help create policies that strengthen businesses and work with government partners to protect small businesses from theft and vandalism. As a contractor, I have the ability and lived experience to properly execute the will of the voters. Measure 110 is a prime example of what happens when a great concept falls because leadership fails to execute properly. City Hall needs elected officials who will focus on what's best for Portland families. We need to make sure our streets and parks are clear of drugs and needles and safe for our children and elders to enjoy. I’m a husband and a father who is raising children in this city. I want to ensure that this city can be as amazing for them as it was for me.

Portland has big issues to tackle. What are you hopeful about?  

I'm excited to work with a vast number of people with different backgrounds and lived experiences. The new city council has the potential to truly represent the people of Portland. Portland deserves a city council that’s as diverse and multifaceted as the city itself. 

David Burnell (D2)

Why are you running for office?

As a licensed drug and alcohol counselor who’s raising a family as a single parent, I feel it’s important for city leaders to start to address the contributing factors of the homelessness and substance abuse plaguing our streets. While we must increase and diversify Portland’s housing stock, it’s equally important that we connect people to agencies and resources to reduce the barriers individuals and families are facing and allow them to keep their housing long-term. This will have a positive domino effect on the environment in our neighborhoods. 

What unique life or professional experience do you have that’s needed at City Hall?

I have experience working with Portland’s houseless community. I also have experience with drug and alcohol counseling, suicide hotlines, and various government organizations. I understand how to bridge the gap and create real change in our city.

Portland has big issues to tackle. What are you hopeful about?

Charter reform presents a real opportunity for Portland to change the city's trajectory and bring us into a positive future.

John Middleton (D2)

Why are you running for office?

Portland raised me, and I love this city. I want to be a part of getting Portland working for all of us. I believe the new city government should engage with compassion, collaborate between districts and the private sector, and lead with integrity. I’m running because I’m inspired by the opportunity to build an equitable foundation for Portland's future.

What unique life or professional experience do you have that’s needed at City Hall?

I view life through the lens of a Black man raised in a predominantly white community. My professional life has led me to work with businesses all over Portland. I understand just how interconnected we are. I am a think-slow, act-fast decision-maker. I don't believe I have the answer for everything. I know that there are talented and smart people here in Portland who have the experience to help solve the big and small issues we face. I would lean on them, listening to them for their wisdom and expertise.

Portland has big issues to tackle. What are you hopeful about?

Portland has big issues, but I see an underlying issue that we need to address while we work on other issues. We need to rebuild trust with the constituents of Portland. That has to come from a culture shift in our government. Our local policies, bureaus, and operating systems need to be examined and audited. It’s important that we build an equitable foundation that allows all parts of city government to work together to implement the results we want. We can do that by using an environmental lens and the framework established by the Government Alliance on Race and Equity (a national network of governments working to achieve racial equity). If elected, I would lead with compassion, honesty, and integrity and be accountable for my actions.

Tiffani Penson (D2)

Why are you running for office?

I’m running for Portland City Council to make our collective vision of a more inclusive, safe, and vibrant city a reality. My mission is to work tirelessly to ensure that every voice is heard, every community is flourishing, and that opportunity is available to all. Portland City Council needs leaders who are dedicated to making Portland a safe, functional, and thriving city with an inclusive and prosperous future. 

What unique life or professional experience do you have that’s needed at City Hall?

I was born and raised in Portland and have a deep understanding of the community I would be privileged to serve at City Hall. Over the past twenty years, I have worked at the City of Portland. My unique focus is on impacting transformational change across all bureaus and all departments. I believe my professional experience making impactful changes that resonate through all city bureaus is a skill we need on the council. In my work, I have supported women and minority-owned businesses by providing access to technical assistance and contracting opportunities, increased youth internships in both the private and public sectors, and collaborated with programs that expedite the cleaning of unsafe and unsanitary conditions across our city. Those are all examples of how I’ve made a positive impact. Our change to the new form of government is going to be challenging, and Portland needs someone with my successful experience overcoming obstacles, fostering lasting change, and making a difference, one program, one partnership, one person at a time.

Portland has big issues to tackle. What are you hopeful about?

I am very hopeful about the future. I believe Portland’s new form of government provides all of us with the opportunity to reimagine our city. Our city government will have council members focused on making policy and approving the budget, while the city manager will do the day-to-day work of the city. We’re creating a new Portland together, and I believe Portlanders are up for the challenge of choosing the candidate who will best serve them and our city. I will be working hard to earn their respect and their vote.

In other election news.

A stripper and a transit advocate join the mayoral race.

What could be more Portland than an activist stripper joining the mayoral race? Liv Osthus, a Portland-based adult entertainer, is running for Portland Mayor. Osthus, a prolific writer, performer, and public speaker, is the subject of the documentary Thank You For Supporting the Arts and is a vocal advocate for the rights of sex workers. Watch her TEDx on the topic talk here.

Keith Wilson, a transit advocate and president of the regional transportation company Titan Freight Systems, also threw his hat into the mayoral ring this month. Wilson, who ran unsuccessfully for city council in 2020, is the founder of Shelter Portland, a network of flexible homeless shelters. He’s also the driving force behind the Homeless Court Program of Multnomah County, which clears fines and warrants for individuals experiencing homelessness upon successful completion of a rehabilitation program.

Chatter about who’s flush with cash - and who’s not.

Rumors are circulating that Portland business interests, led by the Portland Metro Chamber, are preparing to allocate $10 million towards local races in the upcoming 2024 election. At least two candidates, Jonathan Tasini (D2) and Angelita Morillo (D3), have echoed the rumors on social media. While the Metro Chamber's intention to support business-friendly candidates has been confirmed, the extent of their financial commitment remains unverified.

Similarly, unconfirmed speculation surrounds City Commissioner Mingus Mapps' prospects in the mayoral race. An Oregonian article recently reported that Mapps’ campaign is struggling to raise cash and is several thousand dollars in debt. While it’s not uncommon for candidates to incur debt early in the election cycle, Mapps' sluggish fundraising has prompted some commentators to suggest that a run for council may be a safer choice. Mapps has dismissed the rumors.

There’s a new PAC in town.

Housing Oregon, a coalition of seventy-five organizations dedicated to building, financing, and supporting affordable housing, has launched a Political Action Committee (PAC) focused on Portland's city council elections.

The PAC will support candidates who advocate for affordable housing and are committed to tackling Oregon's history of housing discrimination, PAC director Diane Linn told Rose City Reform. Key priorities for the PAC include promoting housing production and policies that advance housing affordability and justice in Portland, explained Linn, a former Multnomah County commissioner and long-time housing advocate.

“We don’t need heroes; we need solutions. We’re excited to identify leaders willing to work together to address our affordable housing crisis,” Linn said, adding that the PAC plans to unveil its endorsements in late May or early June.

Want real-time election coverage? Head on over to the Rose City Reform candidate tracker!

2024 CITY CANDIDATES

Candidates for Portland Mayor:

1. Rene Gonzalez (Attorney, Current City Commissioner)

2. Durrell Kinsey Bey (Youth Essentials Coordinator, Reap, Inc.)

3. Mingus Mapps (Political Scientist, Current City Commissioner)

4. Liv Osthus (Stripper, Speaker, Performer, Writer)

5. Carmen Rubio (Policy Advisor & Nonprofit Executive, Current City Commissioner)

6. Keith Wilson (President of Titan Freight System & founder of Shelter Portland)

Candidates for Portland City Council:

Each district elects three representatives.

District 1 (D1) - East Portland

1. Candace Avalos (Executive Director, Environmental Organization Verde)

2. Jamie Dunphy (Government Relations Director, American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network)

3. Timur Ender (Project Manager, Engineering Firm WSP)

4. Noah Ernst (Superintendent, Radio Cab Company)

5. Joe Furi (Supervisor, Thrive Communities)

6. Terrence Hayes (President, Restore Nuisance Abatement)

7. David Linn (Executive Assistant, Oregon Board of Examiners for Speech-Language Pathology & Audiology)

8. Deian Salazar (Autism Rights Advocate, Community Leader)

9. Steph Routh (Organizational Development Consultant, Steph Routh & Team, LLC)

10. Thomas Shervey (Office Assistant, Multnomah County)

11. Cayle Tern (Community Advocate and Organizer, Apano)

Potential

• Sonja McKenzie (candidate committee)

• Former County Commissioner Loretta Smith (rumored)

District 2 (D2) - North/Northeast

1. James Armstrong (President, Alberta Eye Care)

2. Reuben Berlin (Banker, U.S. Bank)

3. Alan Blake (information pending)

4. David Burnell (Substance Abuse Counselor, Fora Health)

5. Marnie Glickman (Political Organizer & Strategist)

6. Mariah Hudson (Senior Communications Specialist, OHSU)

7. Debbie Kitchin (Owner, Commercial Contracting Firm InterWorks LLC)

8. Marc Koller (Senior Learning Consultant)

9. John Middleton (Entrepreneur)

10. Christopher Olson (Communication Specialist, Neighborhood Health Center)

11. Jennifer Park (Programs Director, The Shadow Project)

12. Tiffani Penson (People & Culture Manager, City of Portland)

13. Elana Pirtle-Guiney (Principal, Confluence Solutions)

14. Dan Ryan (Portland City Commissioner, Incumbent)

15. Brooklyn Sherman (Bus Driver, Portland Public Schools)

16. Laura Streib (Executive Director, Vibe of Portland)

17. Jonathan Tasini (Labor Organizer, Organizational and Communications Strategist)

18. Nat West (Founder, Reverend Nat’s Hard Cider, Bus Driver)

Potential

• PPS School Board Member Michelle DePass (rumored)

• Mike Marshall (rumored)

District 3 (D3) - Central/Southeast

1. Matthew Anderson (Air Force Veteran)

2. Sandeep Bali (Pharmacist, CVS)

3. Rex Burkholder (Strategy and Story guy, The Oxalis Group)

4. Jesse Cornett (Policy and Advocacy Director, Oregon Recovers)

5. Daniel DeMelo (Software Engineer, Appfigures)

6. Chris Flanary (Housing Program Specialist, City of Portland)

7. Daniel Gilk (Programmer, Full-Time Dad)

8. Tiffany Koyama Lane (Teacher, Portland Public Schools)

9. Steve Novick (Attorney, Former City Commissioner)

10. Angelita Morillo (Policy Advocate, Partners for a Hunger Free Oregon)

11. Robin Ye (Political Director, East County Rising)

Potential

• Rachel Clark (rumored)

• Theo Hathaway Saner (candidate committee)

District 4 (D4) - West

1. Chomba Kaluba (Founder of Apparel Brand Energy Iz Everything)

2. Eli Arnold (Police Officer, City of Portland)

3. Olivia Clark (Intergovernmental Relations Director for Governor John Kitzhaber)

4. Michael DiNapoli (Event Technology Engineer, People's AV Co.)

5. Mitch Green (Army Veteran; Energy Economist)

6. Ben Hufford (Architect)

7. Chad Lykins (Founder, Rose City Chess)

8. Tony Morse (Recovery Advocate & Former Policy Director)

9. Stan Penkin (President of the Pearl District Neighborhood Association)

10. Moses Ross (Chair, Multnomah Neighborhood Association; Community Activist)

11. Sarah Silkie (Engineer, City of Portland)

12. Jeremy Beausoleil Smith (Project Manager, Portland State University)

13. Michael Trimble (Apartment Leasing, Career Strategies)

14. Soren Underdahl (Healthcare IT Consultant, CSI Companies)

15. Andra Vltavín (Environmental Justice Advocate)

16. Bob Weinstein (Neighborhood Activist; Former Mayor of Ketchikan, Alaska)

17. Eric Zimmerman (Chief of Staff to County Commissioner Julia Brim-Edwards)

Potential

• Nik Blosser (rumored)

• Stephen Hall (candidate committee)

• Multnomah County Commissioner Sharon Meieran (rumored)

• John Toran (candidate committee)

Candidates for Portland Auditor

Simone Rede (Portland City Auditor, Incumbent)

The streets may now be clear, but candidates enrolled in the city’s public campaign financing program could be losing traction for a different reason.

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Small Donor Elections – the city’s 2016 initiative to take big money out of politics – is facing a roughly $7 million shortfall due to record participation.

With a whopping fourteen city seats up for election, nearly fifty candidates have joined the program. This contrasts sharply with the 2020 and 2022 elections, which attracted sixteen and seven participants, respectively.

Small Donor Elections offers a 9-1 public match on the first $20 from individual Portland donors. The Portland Elections Commission, which oversees the program, has unsuccessfully called on the city council to boost its budget. As a result, in a somber meeting on January 17, the commission slashed available public financing for mayoral candidates by almost 90% from $750,000 to $100,000. Council candidates saw their maximum public match drop 60% from $300,000 to $120,000.

“Even though we’re required to make this decision to ensure solvency for the program, it was difficult for every single commissioner to accept how deeply underfunded the program is,” Election Commission Chair Amy Sample Ward told Rose City Reform.

Lower match caps could freeze out mayoral challengers.

Why the deeper cuts for mayoral campaigns? The Elections Commission thinks candidates running for mayor are more likely to attract outside support from well-funded interest groups. During deliberations, a more drastic reduction to $50,000 was considered. However, commission member Kevin Neely argued that such a severe cutback could skew the election in favor of the three council members running for mayor.

“It almost ensures that an outside candidate has zero chance of winning,” Neely said, noting that city commissioners Gonzalez, Mapps, and Rubio have all used the program to fund their previous campaigns and build their name recognition. (According to the City of Portland, Gonzalez collected roughly $443,000 from the program in 2022, while Mapps and Rubio received around $374,000 and $164,000 for their 2020 races.)

Amy Sample Ward says the Elections Commission will increase the public match if the city council finds more money for the program. Likewise, if some candidates don't qualify for public dollars (they must participate in training and collect a minimum number of small donations), there could be more money for those who do. The commission is also considering raising the maximum political contribution Portlanders can make from $350 to $500, Ward said.

Council vote could get awkward for those enrolled in the program.

As spring budget talks approach, council members who are enrolled in Small Donor Elections may face a dilemma. Boosting funding for the program could seem self-serving while opposing an increase could be viewed as giving themselves an unfair advantage.

All current city commissioners are running for office and have filed to receive matching funds. While Gonzalez, Mapps, and Rubio are vying for mayor, Dan Ryan is a council candidate in District 2 (he has received approximately $459,000 in matching public funds over two previous election cycles). Mayor Wheeler, responsible for preparing the budget, will not seek re-election.

At the January 17 meeting, it was still unclear if council members participating in the program could debate and vote on its funding. Shortly thereafter, Bob Weinstein, a District 4 candidate, sought guidance from the Oregon Government Ethics Commission about whether participating commissioners had a conflict of interest. The response: no conflict exists since the funds would benefit their campaigns, not the commissioners personally.

The Portland City Attorney's office has now advised the Elections Commission that all council members are free to weigh in on the program's funding, Susan Mottet, director of the Small Donor elections program, told Rose City Reform.

“Now that the City Attorney’s Office is saying that councilmembers who are running for office using the program can amend the mayor’s budget proposal for Small Donor Elections, the Portland Elections Commission won’t know how much funding the program will have until June 2024,” Mottet said, adding that no changes will be made to the match caps until the outcome of that vote is known.

Council candidates urge the city council to fund the program.

The uncertainty of the program’s funding could mean that some participating candidates have to wait until the summer to make critical strategic decisions, such as whether to hire campaign staff.

Bob Weinstein says the council should fully fund the Small Donor Elections program as soon as possible.

“Voters want and deserve clean elections and equal representation. I urge the Council not to let them down,” he said.

Chad Lykins, who’s also running for council in District 4, attended the Elections Commission’s meeting on behalf of a dozen council candidates calling for more funding.

“This is the only time the council will have twelve open council seats. The City should look at this election as a one-time-only investment in good governance, election integrity, and making sure that our new council is chosen by Portlanders and not lobbyists," said Lykins, a former public policy professor and the founder of Rose City Chess, an organization running camps and after-school programs throughout Oregon.

Amy Ward says Portland’s city council should consider adopting a funding formula that provides sustainable funding for the Small Donor Elections Program.

”I’m hopeful that the new city council will see the value of doing that," they concluded.

Should the city council allocate additional funding to the Small Donor Elections program? Contact the mayor and the city council with your opinion here.

What else happened in January?

• City Commissioner Carmen Rubio joined the race for Portland’s mayor, challenging her council colleagues Rene Gonzalez and Mingus Mapps. Rubio, a self-described “no-drama leader,” spoke about her decision to run on KOIN’s Eye on NW Politics.

• Cayle Tern, who unsuccessfully ran for state legislature in 2021, is a new candidate in District 1. Tern is a community advocate and organizer with Apano, which supports Oregon’s Asian and Pacific American communities.

• City Commissioner Dan Ryan announced his run for council in District 2. Ryan was a guest on KGW’s Straight Talk, where he said Portlanders want “less ideology and more pragmatic solutions.” Ryan politely declined to endorse any of his colleagues for mayor.

• In addition to Ryan, two new candidates have declared their candidacies in District 2. Tiffani Penson is a people and culture manager at the City of Portland and serves on the board of directors of Portland Community College. Jennifer Park is a programs director for The Shadow Project, a nonprofit supporting children with learning or attention challenges.

• Bob Weinstein, a former city councilor and mayor of Ketchikan, Alaska, is running for council in District 4. Also running in District 4: energy economist Mitch Green and environmental justice advocate Andra Vltavín.

• For more media links and information, head over to Rose City Reform’s candidate tracker.

Top fundraisers according to the City of Portland:

1. Rene Gonzalez (Mayor) $92,494*.

2. Mingus Mapps (Mayor): $44,031*.

3. Angelita Morillo (Council District 3): $32,413

4. Olivia Clark (Council District 4): $28,061.

5. Steph Routh (Council District 1): $26,921.

Source: Portland’s Small Donor Elections Program.

*The totals for Gonzalez and Mapps include carryover funds from a previous campaign cycle.

Candidates for Portland Mayor:

Declared (most recent on top)

1. Carmen Rubio (Current City Commissioner)

2. Rene Gonzalez (Current City Commissioner)

3. Durrell Kinsey Bey (Youth Essentials Coordinator, Reap, Inc.)

4. Mingus Mapps (Current City Commissioner)

Candidates for Portland City Council:

Each district elects three representatives.

DISTRICT 1 - EAST PORTLAND

Declared (most recent on top)

1. Cayle Tern (Community Advocate and Organizer, Apano)

2. Terrence Hayes (President, Restore Nuisance Abatement)

3. Thomas Shervey (Office Assistant, Multnomah County)

4. Candace Avalos (Executive Director, Verde)

5. Deian Salazar (Autism Rights Advocate)

6. Jamie Dunphy (Government Relations Director, American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network)

7. David Linn (Executive Assistant, Oregon Board of Examiners for Speech-Language Pathology & Audiology)

8. Timur Ender (Project Manager, WSP)

9. Steph Routh (Organizational Development Consultant, Steph Routh & Team)

Potential

• Sonja McKenzie (candidate committee)

• Former County Commissioner Loretta Smith (rumored)

DISTRICT 2 - NORTH/NORTHEAST

Declared (most recent on top)

1. Jennifer Park (Programs Director, The Shadow Project)

2. Dan Ryan (Portland City Commissioner)

3. Tiffani Penson (People & Culture Manager, City of Portland))

4. Alan Blake (information pending)

5. Reuben Berlin (Banker, U.S. Bank)

6. Laura Streib (Executive Director, Vibe of Portland)

7. Jonathan Tasini (Organizational and Communications Strategist)

8. James Armstrong (President, Alberta Eye Care)

9. Mariah Hudson (Senior Communications Specialist, OHSU)

10. John Middleton (Entrepreneur)

11. Marc Koller (Senior Learning Consultant)

12. Christopher Olson (Communication Specialist, Neighborhood Health Center,)

13. Brooklyn Sherman (Bus Driver, Portland Public Schools)

14. David Burnell (Substance Abuse Counselor, Fora Health)

15. Debbie Kitchin (Owner, InterWorks LLC)

Potential

• Former Mayor Sam Adams (rumored)

• PPS School Board Chair Michelle dePass (rumored)

• Marnie Glickman (rumored)

District 3 - Central/Southeast

Declared (most recent on top)

1. Steve Novick (Attorney, former City Commissioner)

2. Rex Burkholder (Strategy and Story guy, The Oxalis Group)

3. Tiffany Koyama Lane (Teacher, Portland Public Schools)

4. Matthew Anderson (Air Force Veteran)

5. Daniel DeMelo (Software Engineer, Appfigures)

6. Robin Ye (Political Director, East County Rising)

7. Angelita Morillo (Policy Advocate, Partners for a Hunger-Free Oregon)

8. Jesse Cornett (Client District Manager, ADP)

9. Sandeep Bali (Pharmacist, CVS)

10. Chris Flanary (Housing Program Specialist, City of Portland)

District 4 - West

Declared (most recent on top)

1. Mitch Green (Army Veteran, Energy Economist & Professor)

2. Andra Vltavín (Environmental Justice Advocate)

3. Bob Weinstein (Neighborhood Activist, Former Mayor of Ketchikan, Alaska)

4. Eli Arnold (Police Officer, City of Portland)

5. Moses Ross (Chair, Multnomah Neighborhood Association, Community Activist)

6. Michael DiNapoli (Event Technology Engineer, People's AV Co.)

7. Sarah Silkie (Engineer, City of Portland)

8. Olivia Clark, (Neighborhood Activist, Former Legislative Director)

9. Chad Lykins (Founder, Rose City Chess)

10. Tony Morse (Policy & Advocacy Director, Oregon Recovers)

Potential

• County Commissioner Sharon Meieran (rumored)

• Nik Blosser (rumored)

• Soren Underdal (candidate committee)

• Stephen Hall (candidate committee)

• John Toran (candidate committee)

Candidates for Portland Auditor

Declared

Simone Rede (Portland City Auditor)

Got a tip for the tracker? Reply directly to this newsletter!

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Welcome to Stump Talk!

This new section of the Rose City Reform blog is your go-to source for tracking the landmark 2024 Portland election. At the end of every month, Rose City Reform will send you a concise roundup of the latest election developments.

This will complement, not replace, Rose City Reform’s regular content, which delves into deeper analysis and commentary on Portland’s ongoing reform process.

Our commitment to you is simple: we'll keep you updated on the race for Portland's fourteen city seats without cluttering your inbox.

So, without further ado, let's dive into the latest!

• Rene Gonzalez Surges Ahead: City Commissioner Rene Gonzalez has taken a decisive fundraising lead in the race for Portland’s mayor. According to the City of Portland, Gonzalez has raised nearly $70,000. In contrast, City Commissioner Mingus Mapps, another mayoral candidate, has raised just over $40,000.

• The Campaign Financing Crunch: With ten months until the election, Rene Gonzalez may have already raised nearly 25% of his allowable campaign funds. Why? Gonzalez is participating in the Small Donor Elections program, which offers a 9-1 match on the first $20 from individual donors. However, since the city council hasn't increased the program's funding to accommodate the expansion from six to fourteen elected positions, Small Donor Elections is experiencing a budget shortfall. Consequently, fundraising caps for the mayor’s race may soon plummet from $750,000 to $300,000, while the limit for council races could drop from $300,000 to $120,000. For more details, read OPB’s report.

• Mayor Wheeler’s Crucial Budget Decision: During upcoming budget deliberations, Mayor Wheeler will have the opportunity to propose additional funding for the public campaign financing program. Interestingly, Wheeler may also be the only public official who’s not conflicted on the decision. Commissioners Mapps, Gonzalez, Rubio, and Ryan are all either actively campaigning or considering bids. That gives Wheeler significant leverage since his proposal could swing the available funds by as much as $450,000 for commissioners running for mayor.

• Steve Novick Returns to Council Politics: Former City Commissioner Steve Novick is running for a seat in District 3. He recently appeared on KOIN’s Eye on NW Politics, discussing key issues like homelessness and public safety. Novick recently penned an op-ed titled "Make America 1973 Again” for the political blog and newsletter Oregon 360.

• Spotlight on Angelita Morillo: District 3 candidate, policy advocate, and social media influencer Angelita Morillo was featured on Bike Portland’s podcast this week.

• Catch More Candidate Interviews: For more candidate interviews, check out Progress Portland’s podcast. Episodes include conversations with Chad Lykins (District 4), Chris Flanary (District 3), David Burnell (District 2), Angelita Morillo (District 3), and Steph Routh (District 1).

• Have a tip on the election? We’d love to hear from you! Just hit 'reply' to this email and share your insights with us.

Top fundraisers according to the City of Portland:

1. Rene Gonzalez (Mayor) $69,909.

2. Mingus Mapps (Mayor): $42,560.

3. Steph Routh (Council District 1): $26,921.

4. Olivia Clark (Council District 4): $26,505.

5. Angelita Morillo (Council District 3): $23,531.

Source: Portland’s Small Donor Elections Program. Please note that reporting is delayed, and some candidates may have raised higher amounts.

Candidates for Portland Mayor:

Declared (most recent on top)

1. Rene Gonzalez (Attorney, Current City Commissioner)

2. Durrell Kinsey Bey (Youth Essentials Coordinator, Reap, Inc.)

3. Mingus Mapps (Political Scientist, Current City Commissioner)

Potential:

• City Commissioner Carmen Rubio (rumored)

• Nik Blosser (rumored)

Incumbent:

• Ted Wheeler (not seeking reelection)

Candidates for Portland City Council:

Each district elects three representatives. There are no actual incumbents since the repeal of the commission form of government voids the existing City Council. Therefore, sitting commissioners are listed as “pseudo-incumbents” in the district where they live.

DISTRICT 1 - EAST PORTLAND

Declared (most recent on top)

1. Terrence Hayes (President, Restore Nuisance Abatement)

2. Thomas Shervey (Office Assistant, Multnomah County)

3. Candace Avalos (Executive Director, environmental organization Verde)

4. Deian Salazar (Autism Rights Advocate)

5. Jamie Dunphy (Government Relations Director, American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network)

6. David Linn (Executive Assistant, Oregon Board of Examiners for Speech-Language Pathology & Audiology)

7. Timur Ender (Project Manager, engineering firm WSP)

8. Steph Routh (Organizational Development Consultant, Steph Routh & Team, LLC)

Potential

• Kevin McKay (candidate committee)

• Sonja McKenzie (candidate committee)

• Former County Commissioner Loretta Smith (rumored)

DISTRICT 2 - NORTH/NORTHEAST

Declared (most recent on top)

1. Alan Blake (information pending, notice of intent filed 12/14/23)

2. Reuben Berlin (Banker, U.S. Bank)

3. Laura Streib (Executive Director, Vibe of Portland)

4. Jonathan Tasini (Organizational and Communications Strategist)

5. James Armstrong (President, Alberta Eye Care)

6. Mariah Hudson (Senior Communications Specialist, OHSU)

7. John Middleton (Entrepreneur)

8. Marc Koller (Senior Learning Consultant)

9. Joseph Emerson (Software Engineer, LegalZoom)

10. Christopher Olson (Communication Specialist, Neighborhood Health Center,)

11. Brooklyn Sherman (Bus Driver, Portland Public Schools)

12. David Burnell (Substance Abuse Counselor, Fora Health)

13. Debbie Kitchin (Owner, Commercial Contracting Firm InterWorks LLC)

Potential

• Former Mayor Sam Adams (rumored)

• PPS School Board Chair Michelle dePass (rumored)

• Marnie Glickman (rumored)

Pseudo-incumbents:

• Dan Ryan (rumored to run for city council or Multnomah County District 2)

• Carmen Rubio (rumored to run for mayor)

District 3 - Central/Southeast

Declared (most recent on top)

1. Steve Novick (attorney, former City Commissioner)

2. Rex Burkholder (Strategy and Story guy, The Oxalis Group)

3. Tiffany Koyama Lane (Teacher, Portland Public Schools)

4. Matthew Anderson (Air Force Veteran)

5. Daniel DeMelo (Software Engineer, Appfigures)

6. Robin Ye (Chief of Staff to Rep. Khan Pham)

7. Angelita Morillo (Policy Advocate, Partners for a Hunger Free Oregon)

8. Jesse Cornett (Client District Manager, ADP)

9. Sandeep Bali (Pharmacist, CVS)

10. Chris Flanary (Housing Program Specialist, City of Portland)

Pseudo-incumbent:

• Mingus Mapps (running for mayor)

District 4 - West

Declared (most recent on top)

1. Eli Arnold (Police Officer, City of Portland)

2. Moses Ross (Chair, Multnomah Neighborhood Association, Community Activist)

3. Michael DiNapoli (Event Technology Engineer, People's AV Co.)

4. Sarah Silkie (Engineer, City of Portland)

5. Olivia Clark, (Neighborhood Activist, Former Legislative Director)

6. Chad Lykins (Founder, Rose City Chess)

7. Tony Morse (Policy & Advocacy Director, Oregon Recovers)

Potential

• Stephen Hall (candidate committee)

• John Toran (candidate committee)

• County Commissioner Sharon Meieran (rumored)

Pseudo-incumbent:

• Rene Gonzalez (tunning for mayor)

Portland Auditor

Declared

Simone Rede (incumbent, Portland City Auditor)