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Here are our latest headlines about the 2024 election.
(Last updated on July 20, 2024)
70 council candidates. Six mayoral candidates. One candidate for auditor.
Gonzalez and Hayes Show Support for Each Other
(PORTLAND, July 20) Council candidate Terrence Hayes shared a picture of his family at City Hall as he filed the paperwork to appear on the ballot in District 1. Joining the Hayes family was City Commissioner and mayoral candidate Rene Gonzalez. While neither candidate has issued an official endorsement, they have publicly expressed mutual support.
In a recent interview with Willamette Week, Hayes mentioned that he aligns closely with Gonzalez, a sentiment Gonzalez later highlighted on Twitter. Gonzalez tweeted, "Portland needs leaders who will make the hard decisions and hold the line. I look forward to working with [Hayes] for a safer city, a safer east Portland."
Gonzalez has also shown support for District 4 candidate Eli Arnold, who has reciprocated the support online. Hayes, Arnold, and Gonzalez share a campaign focus on public safety, including stricter enforcement of public drug use bans.
Morillo Slams Gonzalez on Social Media
(PORTLAND, July 20) In a recent social media video, Angelita Morillo, a progressive candidate for Portland's City Council, delivered a sharp critique of mayoral candidate Rene Gonzalez. This came in response to questions about how she would collaborate with Gonzalez if both were elected.
"I don't know what everyone else is hearing, but when I'm on the ground, talking to my people, they're not asking me how I'm going to move towards an unjust man or unjust policies," Morillo stated.
While Morillo acknowledged that compromise is inherent to the role, she described her primary responsibility as advocating for vulnerable and working-class residents.
“It is not my role in this life or in this race, to comfort the comfortable,” she asserted.
Morillo specifically criticized Gonzalez's tenure on the city council, claiming he has neither built strong relationships nor passed significant policies.
"He does not have any friends. He has not passed any substantial policies or made any accomplishments. His greatest accomplishments are the things that he has tried to dismantle and destroy," she argued.
Morillo also highlighted that mayoral candidate Carmen Rubio has endorsed her campaign. Several other council candidates showed their support by liking her video, including District 1 candidate Candace Avalos, who has publicly clashed with Gonzalez on multiple occasions.
“I've gotten to know Angelita over the last year, and she's smart, passionate, and nuanced. Like she says, the work of actually moving a policy agenda requires collaboration, and Rene Gonzalez is the epitome of the opposite. District 3 would be lucky to have Angelita representing them,” Avalos wrote.
Other candidates who liked the video included mayoral candidate Liv Osthus, Timur Ender (D1), Kelly Janes (D3), and Mitch Green (D3).
Progressive Candidates Sign Renters' Bill of Rights
(PORTLAND, July 18) Several candidates have signed a campaign pledge called Renters' Bill of Rights, an initiative by the Portland chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America and the advocacy organization East County Rising. The bill includes provisions such as:
Linking rent to the minimum wage to ensure affordability
Advocating for local rent control throughout Oregon
Mandating relocation assistance for rent increases exceeding 5%
Capping fees for pet rent and late fees
Additionally, the bill requires a six-month notice before rent increases, protects children and education workers from eviction due to late rent during the school year, and shields renters from eviction for late rent during extreme weather events. It also requires code violations to be resolved before rent increases and establishes the right to legal counsel in eviction court.
Candidates who have signed the bill include Sameer Kanaal, Chris Olson, Jennifer Park, and Jonathan Tasini in District 2; Tiffany Koyama Lane and Angelita Morillo in District 3; and Jeremy Beausoleil Smith, Mitch Green, and Andra Vltavín in District 4.
“Letting people get pushed out of their homes and their city is a policy choice, and it's a bad one. Change starts with simple, common-sense protections like keeping school kids and educators in their homes during the school year, or ensuring that unsafe conditions are fixed before a rent increase,” District 3 candidate and pledge signatory Tiffany Koyama Lane posted on Twitter.
Koyama Lane, a public school teacher, is one of two council candidates endorsed by the Democratic Socialists of America. The other is economist Mitch Green, who has also signed the pledge.
New Collector’s Item—Candidate Trading Cards
(PORTLAND, July 15) Ann Sanderson, a professional photographer and political consultant, has launched an innovative project to draw attention to Portland’s city races: candidate trading cards.
“The cards are only given out by the candidates themselves so that voters have to meet a candidate to get a card or trade with someone who has one. I’m hoping that many voters will want to ‘catch them all’,” Sanderson told Rose City Reform.
“I imagine when they get their voter pamphlets, they will put their collected cards on the table in front of them and physically sort them as they decide who to rank in what order,” she added.
While candidates are free to distribute the cards as they see fit, Sanderson is organizing events centered around trading the cards. The first event is scheduled for July 26 at Rogue Eastside, 928 SE 9th Ave, from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM.
Candidates React to Trump Assassination Attempt
(PORTLAND, July 14) Multiple candidates took to social media to express their reactions to the attempted shooting of former President Donald Trump at a campaign rally in Pennsylvania. While many voiced their strong disagreement with Trump's actions and positions, nearly all condemned the assassination attempt and expressed relief that the former president was unharmed.
Angelita Morillo, a candidate in District 3, stood out by criticizing her peers who condemned the attack on Trump but have not called for a ceasefire in Gaza.
City Commissioner Rene Gonzalez via Twitter
“Concerned about news of attack against Donald Trump. Regardless of one’s views or political party, democracy requires we condemn and hold accountable those who resort to political violence. Violence towards electeds and candidates has a chilling effect on those who consider serving and there is no place for political violence in a thriving democracy.”
Jesse Cornett (D3) via Instagram
“Trump is a felon, [a] sexual predator and has been pulling the world’s greatest long con before our eyes throughout my entire lifetime. I abhor everything he stands for. […[ There should be no place for violence in the American political environment, not verbal and certainly not physical. Tonight I will go to bed with a heavy heart filled with fear over the future of our country and the tumult that today’s assassination attempt may all too easily cause.”
Daniel DeMelo (D3) via Instagram
“Political violence is horrific and has no place in our democracy. I am thankful that the former president is recovering and my condolences and prayers are extended to the families of the bystanders wounded in this terrible attack. Grateful to all of our first responders who put their lives on the line to protect our republic.”
Mike Marshall (D2) via Twitter
“Donald Trump owes his higher power big time. I’m so grateful the shooter missed. America, we need to raise our young white men more carefully.”
Angelita Morillo (D3) via Instagram
“If you’re a politician or a person in power who has not called for a ceasefire, but you immediately decried the political violence against former President Trump, it’s time to reflect and ask yourself why. Any statement calling for an end to political violence coming from a politician who hasn’t also called for a ceasefire rings hollow right now.”
Tony Morse (D4) via Instagram
“There is absolutely no place for political violence in our country. I wish the former President a full and speedy recovery, and I’m relieved to hear he is reportedly doing well. Many thanks to law enforcement and the Secret Service for their quick response.”
Chris Olson (D3) via Instagram
“Political violence is unacceptable in any civil society and democracy. The assassination attempt of Donald Trump proves to me once again that we are not a civil society, nor a robust democracy. When people resort to violence it is because their voices are not being heard. It is the failure of those in power to stand up for what is right and meet the needs of everyday people. I hope those in power now see the dire state of this country and our communities at large.”
Moses Ross (D4) via Twitter
“I ask that we here in Portland stand together to protect the civility of our political process.“
Nat West Slams Rene Gonzalez for Remarks on Public Testimony
(PORTLAND, July 12) District 2 candidate Nat West sharply criticized City Commissioner Rene Gonzalez following comments Gonzalez made during a council hearing, as reported by the Portland Mercury.
“Seeing Commissioner Gonzalez's bullying attack on a tireless community advocate yesterday reminded me that many elected officials take positions of power for granted and don’t listen,” West tweeted.
The incident occurred before the approval of an $11,500 legal settlement related to a bodily injury lawsuit from the 2020 Portland protests. Gonzalez dismissed testimony by Marc Poris of the volunteer group Portland Copwatch, stating Poris’ comments were not directly related to the lawsuit and should have been made during the public comment section.
“I strongly object to continuing to platform abolitionists that cannot testify on the matter before council,” Gonzalez said, calling Poris’ testimony “nonsense” and adding that he had no “constitutional right” to testify on that particular agenda item.
Registering his opposition to Gonzalez’s position, West noted:
“We don't have to agree. We often don't. But as a participant in this city and a candidate for Council, I will always fight for the right for others to speak and share their insights. Sadly, the Commissioner seems to think his role is to silence others, not open himself up to change or growth,” he wrote.
Eric Zimmerman Opposes Multnomah County Deflection Rollout
(PORTLAND, July 12) Eric Zimmerman, the chief-of-staff to County Commissioner Julia Brim-Edwards who is also a candidate in District 4, posted a video on social media saying he was “deeply disappointed” in Multnomah County’s planned rollout of deflection centers for individuals caught with small amounts of illicit drugs.
“At the end of the day, there is no accountability for follow-through on this program,” Zimmerman said, referring to the fact that individuals who choose deflection over arrest will be taken to a dropoff location, where they can choose to accept or refuse treatment.
“That is not what the State Legislature had in mind when they reformed Measure 110. It’s not what Portlanders had in mind when they supported those reforms, and it’s not something that the next City Council should accept from our other government partners moving forward,” Zimmerman said.
Measure 110, a ballot measure passed in 2020 to decriminalize small amounts of illicit drugs and fund treatment and recovery services, was repealed by the State Legislature in 2023 due to widespread concerns about its implementation and overall effectiveness in addressing substance abuse issues. The alternative legislation recriminalized the possession of illicit drugs with the option of deflection as an alternative to arrest.
Former Multnomah County Chair Loretta Smith Running for Council
(PORTLAND, July 11) Portland's worst-kept secret is finally confirmed: former Multnomah County Commissioner Loretta Smith is running for office in District 1. Smith, who currently chairs the Oregon Democratic Party’s Black Caucus, served as the representative for Multnomah County District 2 from 2011 to 2018. She previously ran for city council in 2018 and 2020 and for the 6th Congressional District in 2022, though she was unsuccessful in those bids.
Smith joins fifteen other candidates in the District 1 race. Among her competitors is transportation advocate Steph Routh, the top fundraiser across all council districts. Others who have racked up significant contributions and endorsements include climate and criminal justice advocate Candace Avalos and transportation advocate Timur Ender.
“We have a rare opportunity to build the city we believe in. East Portlanders deserve an experienced leader with a real record of accomplishments,” Smith said in a social media post.
Who Else Announced in July?
Nancy Congdon, president and founder of the asset management firm Blue Water Wealth, is running for Portland mayor. Congdon is a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) with an MBA from the University of Denver. She founded Blue Water Wealth, a women-led wealth management company, in 2007. Her campaign priorities include addressing homelessness and climate change, improving public safety, and expanding access to housing and services related to mental health and addiction.
Additionally, in District 4, engineering consultant Kevin Goldsmith has filed to appear on the ballot.
Portland’s 2024 Election Documented in Upcoming Film
(PORTLAND, July 10) Did you know that a documentary film team has been chronicling Portland's election cycle since January 2024?
People’s Town Hall, a local nonprofit, is quietly following candidates and their campaigns, outgoing civic leaders, election officials, local press, and community members to explore how Portland navigates its historic 2024 election. The working title for the documentary is "The Experiment," with an anticipated release date in early 2026.
Nathan Williams, the film’s director, said the team applies a “fly on the wall” approach, similar to Frederick Wiseman’s critically acclaimed documentary "City Hall” about the workings of city government in Boston.
“So far, the vast majority of candidates and others involved in this process have welcomed our project with open arms,” Williams told Rose City Reform.
“I think there's a widespread feeling that something rare and special is happening this year, that we may not see again for a generation, and folks are happy we're documenting the big picture story beyond the immediate news cycle.”
Williams emphasized the team’s commitment to neutrality, saying all video footage is embargoed until after the election.
“We are committed to honoring that trust by not putting our thumb on the scale in any way -- we aren't advocating for any candidate or set of policy outcomes: we want to document all of these campaigns truthfully and with respect, showing what's unique about each candidate and their message, and trusting the audience to reach their own conclusions as they watch the film.”
For more information, visit People's Town Hall or follow the team’s progress on Instagram at pdxdemocracydoc.
Jesse Cornett Wants Return to Community Policing
(PORTLAND, July 9) District 3 candidate Jesse Cornett posted a statement on Instagram outlining his support for community policing.
“If I am so honored to be elected to Portland City Council, I will use my role to encourage our mayor to only hire a police chief with long-term dedication and a deep understanding of community policing,” he wrote.
“Before I launched my career in the legislative process, I attended the Police Academy and spent three years as a reserve Deputy Sheriff for Multnomah County. A few years later, my closest friend was killed by a police officer on my back porch,” Cornett continued, calling Portland’s loss of community policing under former mayor Vera Katz the worst decision made during her storied career.
“When we pivot our police back to community policing, we are going to require them to conduct their job in a different way,” he continued.
“This will take more time than simply responding to calls which has become the norm. The police will tell you we need more officers on the force to do it right. We might. But until we have a potent and co-equal non-law enforcement response in our city, I do not believe that the actual number of police officers we need can be determined,” he added, referring to Portland Street Response, the city’s unarmed responders who are sent to address mental health emergencies.
“I will work closely with our first city manager to ensure we have civilians for the vast array of other tasks that don’t require police.”
Mariah Hudson Applauds PBOT Crackdown
(PORTLAND, July 9) District 2 candidate Mariah Hudson, who chairs the Portland Bureau of Transportation Budget Committee, tweeted her support for the City of Portland’s tougher enforcement policy on vehicle registration lapses and parking violations. As part of the initiative, the Portland Bureau of Transportation will increase its parking agent team from 58 to 80 officers, aiming to curb expired tags, missing plates, and improper parking—and to generate an estimated $5 million in additional revenue in the process.
“It’s not fun to get a ticket, but parking enforcement like graffiti enforcement/cleanup sets the tone for our city as a place where people follow the rules,” she said, calling the crackdown a “needed move to generate revenue from paid parking and to reestablish the common good.”
Council Candidates Express Concerns Over Office Remodel Staffing
(PORTLAND, July 7) A group of council candidates have raised concerns about City Hall’s planned remodel for city council offices. In a letter to Mayor Ted Wheeler and city commissioners Rene Gonzalez, Mingus Mapps, Carmen Rubio, and Dan Ryan, the candidates specifically took issue with interim city administrator Michael Jordan's statements that the remodel would accommodate only one staffer per council member.
“As candidates who have engaged extensively with Portland's diverse communities and intricate policy landscape, we firmly believe that a single staff member per council member is grossly inadequate to effectively carry out the various duties required of the office,” the letter stated.
The candidates argued that the proposed staffing level would hinder effective governance, slow down responses to constituents, and reduce community engagement. They called for an immediate halt to the remodeling work and asked the council to reevaluate the plan based on a comparison of staffing levels in peer cities of similar size to Portland. The letter noted that such a review was reportedly already conducted by city staff and urged City Hall to make the findings public.
The letter was signed by Deian Salazar from District 1; Mariah Hudson, Mike Marshall, and Bob Simril from District 2; Theo Saner from District 3; and Eli Arnold, Mitch Green, Stan Penkin, Michael Trimble, Andra Vltavín, and Bob Weinstein from District 4.
In February of this year, the Government Transition Advisory Committee—an advisory body appointed to consult on the implementation of Portland’s reforms—voiced similar concerns about staffing levels. At the time, the mayor and city commissioners replied that future elected officials would have the authority to establish in-district offices and identify or reprioritize more funds for staff support in 2025.
Nancy Congdon Running for Mayor
(PORTLAND, July 7) Nancy Congdon, president and founder of the asset management firm Blue Water Wealth, is running for Portland mayor.
Congdon is a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) with an MBA from the University of Denver. She founded Blue Water Wealth, a women-led wealth management company, in 2007. Congdon’s priorities include addressing homelessness and climate change, imporiving public safety, and expanding access to housing, and services related to mental health and addiction.
Mingus Mapps Nixes Partnership with Joint Office of Homeless Services
(PORTLAND, July 1) City Commissioner Mingus Mapps, who is running for mayor, sent a letter to supporters explaining why he voted against extending the city’s partnership with Multnomah County for the Joint Office of Homeless Services.
“While I support establishing a new governance structure to enhance efficiency and accountability, my concern lies in the allocation of city funds. The current proposal commits $89 million over three years without clear, accountable spending plans beyond the first year,” Mapps said.
Mapps said the agreement lacks transparency and referenced a 2022 report on the county’s spending of the $2.5 billion Metro homeless services measure voters approved in 2020. The report showed that the county spent considerably less than planned, and that its allocation of funds differed significantly from the approved budget.
“The current proposal risks treating city funding as an entry fee for oversight, rather than a strategic investment in solving homelessness,” Mapps concluded.
Candidates React to Grants Pass Ruling
(PORTLAND, June 30) Mixed Reactions From Candidates on Grants Pass ruling
Multiple city candidates reacted this week to the Supreme Court’s decision to uphold a public camping ban in Grants Pass, a city in southwestern Oregon. The ruling overturns Martin v. Boise, a 2018 decision by the federal Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit that barred western cities from enforcing public camping bans unless shelter beds were available. However, the implications for Portland remain unclear.
State law HB 3115, enacted in 2021 in response to the Martin v. Boise decision, mandates that public camping ordinances must be “objectively reasonable” and allows individuals affected by the ordinances to challenge them in court. Nevertheless, City Commissioner and mayoral candidate Rene Gonzalez saw reason to celebrate the SCOTUS decision.
“A dark period in the West, for Oregon, for Portland has ended,” tweeted Gonzalez, who oversees Portland’s Fire Bureau and the Bureau of Emergency Management and is known for a tougher stance on public camping than his colleagues.
“Today’s Supreme Court decision gives cities new tools to remove encampments,” Gonzalez wrote.
“For Portland, it will require the right mayor and for the state legislature to remove state-level barriers imposed by HB 3115.”
Another reaction came from Eli Arnold—a Portland police officer seeking a seat in District 4, which includes downtown Portland. In a video on social media, Arnold stated that the city’s moral obligations to provide shelter had not changed but noted that enforcers would now be able to address unsanitary conditions or tents blocking city streets.
“Let’s make the most of it and start making some real progress on this issue,” he said.
Concerns Over Criminalizing Homelessness
Mayor Wheeler – not seeking reelection – said the Supreme Court decision would have little to no impact on Portland. Wheeler noted that Portland’s new public camping ban, designed to comply with both Martin v. Boise and state law, would go into effect on July 1 and would not change unless HB 3115 is amended.
City Commissioner Carmen Rubio, who is running for mayor, expressed support for the ordinance, which prohibits camping on public property between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m, and allows enforcing officers to issue fines up to $100 for individuals refusing available shelter.
“I voted for the most recent camping ordinance because it strikes the right balance between humanity and accountability,” Rubio said in a statement.
Despite city lawmakers’ assurances, multiple council candidates expressed concerns about future enforcement policies and potential harsher penalties for sleeping outside.
“Criminalizing poverty is the exact opposite of progress,” District 1 candidate Candace Avalos posted on Twitter.
Mitch Green, an economist running for a seat in District 4, wrote a letter to supporters saying he was saddened by the ruling and that Portland could be going down a “dark road.” He argued that Portlanders have a choice between a politics focused on cutting taxes for the wealthy that seeks to “jail and exclude people from civic life,” or one that aims to “build the administrative capacity to house everyone living outside.”
Green’s fellow District 4 candidate Andra Vltavín called the ruling “devastating” and urged Portlanders to join a protest at City Hall on June 30 in solidarity with people living outside as the new camping ban went into effect at midnight.
The ‘black bloc’ protest – where participants wear black and cover their faces for anonymity – called for attendees to bring camping gear and masks. In a later post, Vltavín also mentioned bringing goggles to protect against tear gas.
“We’ll be here all night protecting the houseless community members when the camping ban goes into effect at midnight,” Vltavín said.
PAT Controversy Ripples Into District 4 Race
(PORTLAND, June 27) The controversy surrounding the Portland Association of Teachers (PAT) continues after the organization removed Pro-Palestine materials from its website, which were criticized by multiple community members and organizations for antisemitic messaging and symbolism.
District 3 candidate Jesse Cornett, who is endorsed by PAT, has publicly denounced the materials and called for PAT to discourage the phrase “From the River to the Sea”, a political phrase referring to the land between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea.
In response, Bob Weinstein, a District 4 candidate, criticized fellow District 4 candidates Chad Lykins, Mitch Green, and Sarah Silkie, who have also received PAT’s endorsement, for not doing the same.
“It is sad to see that only one of PAT’s endorsed candidates, Jesse Cornett in District 3, has publicly criticized the leadership’s antisemitism. Crickets from District 4 candidates,” Weinstein tweeted.
Lykins and Silkie countered with a press statement, saying they were “shocked and disappointed” by some of PAT’s actions and materials. The candidates expressed encouragement that PAT removed the offensive materials and initiated a process review to uncover what led to their distribution.
“In light of the harm caused, we urge PAT to continue active outreach to these communities,” they added.
Lykins and Silkie also voiced support for PAT’s efforts to address the reaction to the materials, stating, “Union leaders have done nothing to merit the vitriol and threats they have received, and we unconditionally condemn such harassment.”
In addition to Cornett, Lykins and Silkie, PAT has endorsed Marnie Glickman, Tiffani Penson and Jonathan Tasini in District 2; Tiffany Koyama Lane and Angelita Morillo in District 3; and City Commissioner Carmen Rubio in the race for Portland Mayor.
Mayoral Candidates Secure High-Profile Endorsements
(PORTLAND, June 27) Governor Tina Kotek has joined the list of endorsers supporting City Commissioner Carmen Rubio’s bid for Portland mayor.
Meanwhile, City Commissioner Rene Gonzalez, who oversees the Portland Fire Bureau, the Bureau of Emergency Communications, and the Bureau of Emergency Management, has secured the support of both the Portland Firefighters Association and the Portland Police Association.
So far, Kotek has made no other endorsements in city races. The Portland Police Association has endorsed Olivia Clark, the top fundraiser in Council District 4.
Want to know more about candidates’ endorsements? Visit Rose City Reform’s websitefor personalized profiles of all city candidates.
Pay to Play in City Races?
Mayoral candidate Liv Osthus sharply criticized an upcoming mayoral debate where participation is contingent on candidates having reached 750 individual donors, the threshold for unlocking a $100,000 match from Portland’s public campaign financing program.
Osthus, who has raised $19,600 from nearly 400 donors, said she was not invited to the event and was unsure if she would meet the requirements by the deadline.
“Obviously I knew this was the nature of the machine and I’m not terribly surprised, but I am disappointed,” Osthus wrote on Instagram, calling the approach “gross.”
“Democracy should NOT be pay to play,” she added.
While Osthus didn’t disclose the organizer of the debate, such screening requirements are expected to become prevalent in candidate forums and debates this fall.
Candidates Speak Out Against Proposed Changes to Portland Campaign Rules
The Portland Elections Commission is considering updates to campaign contribution rules to address the underfunding of the Small Donor Elections program. The changes aim to ease the program’s financial constraints, which have led to the availability of matching funds being drastically reduced from $300,000 to $120,000 for council candidates, and from $750,000 to $100,000 for mayoral candidates.
Proposed changes include increasing the individual contribution limit from $250 to $350 and raising the in-kind contribution limit for nonprofits and political committees from $10,000 to $20,000.
Bob Weinstein, a candidate in District 4, wrote a letter to the Elections Commission opposing the changes, saying rules should not be altered mid-game.
“Some outside groups and/or small donor committees are already supporting, or plan to support, certain candidates,” he said. “Allowing such groups or committees to inject more money into the election […] would clearly benefit only those candidates they already support or plan to support, and clearly could tilt the outcome of the election in their preferred candidates’ favor.”
Jesse Cornett, who’s running in District 3, expressed similar concerns in an email to the commission.
"Rule changes for Portland elections should be fully vetted through a thorough public process outside of an active election cycle,” wrote Cornett, who urged the Elections Commission to explore allowing private money to fill the funding gap as a solution to the budget constraints.
"I implore you to immediately engage Oregon’s civic-minded foundations, with an interest in democracy building, in meeting the shortfall created by the City Council’s lack of funding," he said.
June Brings Eleven New Candidates
The official filing window for the 2024 city ballot opened on June 5, resulting in multiple new candidates.
Marshall Runkel, who served as campaign manager and chief of staff to former City Commissioner Chloe Eudaly, announced his candidacy for mayor. Houseless advocate Michael O'Callaghan, who sued the city in 2012 after his belongings were confiscated while he was living outside, is also running for the position. Shei'Meka (BeUtee) As-Salaam, associated with the organization Black Women for Peace, is another mayoral contender.
In District 1, attorney Michael Sands joined the race, as did Peggy Sue Owens, listed as President of Don's A-1 Glass. Owens unsuccessfully ran for position 3 on the Portland City Council in 2022, a race that was won by now-commissioner Rene Gonzalez.
District 3 saw the addition of Terry Parker, a former customer relations manager who unsuccessfully ran for city commission in 2020. He was joined by Kenneth Landgraver, a scientific instrument technician at the Department of Consumer and Business Services, as well as LGBTQ+ advocate Jaclyn Smith-More.
One Candidate Doesn’t Want the Job
In District 4, three new candidates entered the fray. Truck driver Chris Henry threw his hat in the ring, alongside former marine Patrick Cashman. Brandon Farley, a videographer known for filming and often provoking Portland protesters, also filed to appear on the ballot in what appears to be a protest against Portland’s new electoral system.
In a Twitter post, Farley stated that if he gets elected, it would "only prove that Ranked Choice Voting is a complete failure."
“Don't vote for me. Just watch for entertainment,” he added.
This is not Farley’s first time running for office. He also appeared on the ballot in 2022, challenging City Commissioner Dan Ryan.
Nancy Congdon Mulling Run for Mayor
Nancy Congdon, president and founder of the asset management firm Blue Water Wealth, has formed a candidate committee to explore a run for Portland mayor. Congdon has not yet filed to appear on the ballot.
Candidates Stand with Striking Nurses.
Multiple candidates have expressed their solidarity with the nurses’ walkout at Providence Health hospitals. The strike, which the Oregon Nurses Association says is the largest in state history, followed months of negotiations between the union and Providence Health regarding nurses’ pay and staffing levels.
“Proud to stand out here and support these workers,” tweeted District 4 candidate Mitch Green, who has been endorsed by four labor organizations. Other candidates who showed their support by joining the picket line were Chad Lykins (D4), Jesse Cornett (D3), and Marnie Glickman (D2).
Where Do Candidates Stand on Biking?
Bike Loud, a bicycle advocacy organization, asked city candidates the following question:
“The City’s stated goal is that 25% of trips be made by bicycle by 2030, but we are currently far short of that goal. How would you work to increase the bike mode-share?”
Forty candidates submitted an answer. You can find their entries here.
Eli Arnold Pushes Back Against Deflection Center Rollout
Eli Arnold, a Portland police officer and candidate in District 4, sharply criticized Multnomah County’s proposal for the rollout of deflection centers for individuals caught with illicit drugs.
Starting this fall, people found with street drugs in Multnomah County will have the option to either be arrested or taken to a drop-off center. This proposal, developed after state lawmakers repealed Measure 110, allows individuals to check in at the center without enrolling in substance abuse treatment and limits police discretion in low-level drug possession cases.
“The proposed deflection program has the same flaws as Measure 110,” Arnold tweeted.
“Users can just ask to go to the drop-off instead of jail. They can do it every day. There's no real incentive to change.”
Harvard Researchers Write About Portland’s Reforms.
The Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation, which is part of the Harvard Kennedy School, recently released a report parsing the reasons why Portland passed its reform measure.
The report calls Portland a “case study of democratic innovation” and attributes the measure's success to coalition-building and community organizing.
The New Normal: Candidate Skill-Swapping Sessions.
Last weekend, over a dozen council candidates and one mayoral candidate, Liv Osthus, gathered in Portland’s Old Town for a joint learning session. Organized by District 2 candidate Nat West, a former cider entrepreneur now turned TriMet bus driver, the event offered each candidate the opportunity to present for fifteen minutes on a topic of their choosing. The result? Participants committed to a hefty three-hour exchange that emphasized collaboration over competition.
The topics were varied: District 2 candidate Elana Pirtle-Guiney, a former AFL-CIO organizer, explained terms like ‘prevailing wage rate’ and ‘project labor agreements’, while Chad Lykins, a candidate in District 4, parsed Portland State University’s Alternative Shelter Evaluation Report.
Trading Tricks and Policy Picks.
In the cheerleader spirit that’s become a hallmark of the 2024 election cycle, Steph Routh shared insider tips from her campaign. Routh, who’s running in District 1, is the only candidate to qualify for two rounds of public financing from the city.
“I want every candidate to be the best they can be in this election,” Routh said.
“So please reach out if we can help in any way.”
Some candidates, like Jamie Dunphy and Steve Novick, came prepared with already-formed policy proposals. Dunphy, a longtime music and entertainment advocate who’s seeking a seat in District 1, offered specific amendments to Portland’s noise code to strengthen protections for music venues.
“No matter who gets elected, whether it’s you or me, I’m going to pursue this,” Dunphy told the crowd.
Novick, a former Portland city commissioner seeking a political comeback in District 3, outlined his proposal for transitioning Portland’s police force to smart guns to reduce suicides and accidental deaths. Like Dunphy, he said he would either introduce the proposal as a council member or lobby the council to bring it forward.
A ‘Meeting of the Minds’ Model for City Council.
About halfway through the gathering, a spirited discussion broke out about Safe Use Sites–designated facilities where individuals can use drugs in a controlled environment. However, in keeping with the pragmatic tone of the event, the debate focused less on the political viability of these often controversial facilities and more on Medicaid reimbursements and the cost-benefit analysis for taxpayers. It was almost as if candidates had bypassed the campaign portion of their candidacy and skipped directly to the policymaking part.
That, Nat West told Rose City Reform, was the whole point of the exercise.
“I think this serves as a model for how the council could collaborate once elected,” he said.
“I don’t necessarily agree with everyone here, and I might not consider voting for them, but I recognize that they have a vision and are experts in their area.”
West plans to host more skill-swapping sessions throughout the year.
“I love learning, and events like these make all of us smarter on the campaign trail,” he said.
Mayor Wheeler Tells Council Candidate to “Stop Whining.”
A sharp exchange unfolded between Mayor Wheeler and council candidate Chris Olson on May 29th during public testimony on an emergency ordinance authorizing the Portland Police Bureau (PPB) to allocate a portion of a $1.1 million budget for crowd-control munitions, shields, and training.
Olson, who participated in the pro-Palestine protests at Portland State University, criticized Portland police for allegedly failing to adequately protect him and other protesters when a car drove toward the crowd. Further, Olson argued that the council’s effort to fortify police officers was "a blatant attempt to silence the voices of the people and suppress our rights" and pointed out that the emergency designation of the ordinance reduced the time available for public comment.
Mayor Wheeler replied that the Portland Police Bureau had spent an hour asking protesters to leave before intervening and that those who remained were committing an act of defiance.
“You’re entitled to that act of defiance,” Wheeler said, “but then you shouldn’t whine and complain and cry when there are consequences for that act of defiance.”
The council unanimously passed the emergency ordinance. Olson, who is running for a seat in District 2, later posted a message to Mayor Wheeler on social media.
“I can’t wait until you are gone,” it said.
Five New Candidates Join Council Race in May.
John Toran, a property manager who formerly owned the cannabis dispensary RJ’s Leaf, has entered the council race for District 4. With a background in union and political organizing, Toran unsuccessfully ran for State Legislature in 2002. He currently serves as a Precinct Committee Person for the Multnomah County Democrats.
Meanwhile, Bob Simril, a long-time sales executive with experience at major companies like Coca-Cola and Microsoft, is seeking a seat in District 2. Simril is joined by Sameer Kanal, an advisory boards and commissions manager at the City of Portland, who focuses on community-engaged policing and police oversight.
District 3 also welcomed two candidates this month. First out was sustainability advocate Ahlam Osman, the president of the environmental and social justice nonprofit Somali Empowerment Circle. Melodie Beirwagen has also announced her intention to run in this district. Rose City Reform is awaiting more details about Beirwagen’s background.
The Most Boring Candidate in Portland.
Jon Walker, a new candidate for District 3, has adopted a unique approach to his campaign by branding himself as "the most boring nerd in Portland."
"I am as remarkably unremarkable as you get," he states on his website.
"I'm exactly average height at 5'9", almost exactly average age at 40, and I sport the most average-sized family, with two adults and two adorable kids," he writes, noting that he also has "the most boring haircut: a short crop with a receding hairline."
Walker, a writer and policy analyst for the Oregon Health Authority, believes his nerdiness is what qualifies him for the job as a Portland legislator. He mentions that his bedtime reading often includes topics like "the impact of street design on traffic fatalities,” and vows to give every aspect of city government a thorough performance audit.
"Unlocking Public Campaign Financing? Like It's Hard?"
In her signature style, social media influencer Angelita Morillo posted a video to celebrate her campaign milestone of reaching 750 individual contributions—the number of small donations needed to unlock the second tier of public campaign financing from the city’s Small Donor Elections program. The video features Morillo lip-syncing to Reese Witherspoon’s iconic quote, "Like it’s hard?" from the movie Legally Blonde, as well as Beyoncé’s song “Diva.”
Keith Wilson Slams Mayor’s Proposed Budget for Small Donor Elections.
Keith Wilson, a candidate for Portland mayor, sharply criticized Mayor Wheeler’s proposed budget for Small Donor Elections, Portland’s public campaign financing program, at a city budget hearing on May 9.
Established in 2016 to curb the influence of large financial contributions in politics, the Small Donor Elections program still operates at the funding level set when Portland elected three seats per election cycle. With fourteen seats up for election in 2024 and no additional funds allocated in Mayor Wheeler’s proposed budget, the public match for council candidates has dropped by 60% to $120,000. For mayoral candidates, the match cap has been slashed from $750,000 to $100,000—a dramatic 90% reduction.
“My decision to enter the race was heavily influenced by the small donor election program, which is designed to eliminate barriers and increase public participation,” Wilson said in his testimony.
Wilson particularly lamented the match cap for the mayoral race, stating it was unreasonable given the need to reach every neighborhood and connect with four times the number of voters as council candidates.
“As it stands, the program promotes a 'winner-take-all' fundraising dash that benefits incumbent politicians with strong name recognition long before the election results are in,” he added, arguing that political outsiders are now effectively excluded from the race.
In response to Wilson’s comments, Commissioner Rene Gonzalez, who is also running for mayor, agreed that the underfunding of Small Donor Elections threatens to undercut the intent of the program, which is to take big money out of politics.
“The program is massively underfunded and is going to make a bit of a joke of this election. It's completely failing to take big dollars out of the election because independent expenditures are only going to become more powerful,” Gonzalez said.
Gonzalez noted that the match caps were set by the Elections Commission, an indepedent government body. However, the city council determines the funding for the program. Commissioners have made no indications that they intend to increase funding for the program in the 2024/2025 budget.
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Dan Ryan surges ahead in District 2.
City Commissioner Dan Ryan is now the top fundraiser in the council race with $100,500 raised. This amount incorporates a $40,000 match from Portland’s public campaign financing program.
Ryan is closely trailed by District 4 candidate Olivia Clark, who has amassed a total of $100,400, also encompassing a $40,000 public match.
District 1 candidate Steph Routh is currently third with $93,500, but is expected to make a significant jump in coming days since she recently became the first candidate to qualify for a second round of public financing.