Early summer brings heat to city races.
Early summer brings heat to city races.
Welcome to the June edition of Stump Talk, your end-of-the-month candidate tracker.
The official filing window for city races opened on June 5, solidifying the candidacies of many familiar faces and introducing eleven new contenders.
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
Shei'Meka (BeUtee) As-Salaam (no website)
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
Doug Clove (no website)
Joe Furi (no website)
Michael Sands (no website)
Thomas Shervey (no website)
DISTRICT 2 (D2) - North/Northeast
Potential
Erin Crum (candidate committee)
Exited race:
Joseph Emerson
Marc Koller
Brooklyn Sherman
District 3 (D3) - Central/Southeast Portland
Melodie Beirwagen (no website)
Kenneth Landgraver (no website)
Terry Parker (no website)
Exited race:
Robin Ye
District 4 (D4) - West Portland and the Reed, Sellwood and Westmoreland Neighborhoods
Patrick Cashman (no website)
Brandon Farley (no website)
Exited race:
Chomba Kaluba
Candidates for Portland Auditor
Simone Rede (incumbent)