Over 100 Candidates File as Deadlines Pass
Here's your nifty end-of-the-month candidate tracker — and a couple of surprises.
August was the final chance for candidates to file for office and secure public campaign financing.
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:
Sadiq Ali
James Atkinson IV
Durrell Kinsey Bey
Shei'Meka (BeUtee) As-Salaam
Rene Gonzalez
Yao Jun He
Michael Hayes
Josh Leake
James MacDonald
Mingus Mapps
Alexander Landry Neely
Michael O'Callaghan
Liv Osthus (Viva Las Vegas)
Sharon Nasset
Carmen Rubio
Keith Wilson
Dustin Witherspoon
Martin Ward
Candidates for Portland City Council:
District 1 (D1) - East Portland
Portland
Candace Avalos
Doug Clove
Jamie Dunphy
Timur Ender
Joe Furi
Terrence Hayes
David Linn
Noah Ernst
Michael Sands
Peggy Sue Owens
Deian Salazar
Steph Routh
Thomas Shervey
Loretta Smith
Cayle Tern
District 2 (D2) - North/Northeast
James Armstrong
Reuben Berlin
Michelle DePass
Marnie Glickman
Mariah Hudson
Debbie Kitchin
Mike Marshall
William Mespelt
Christopher Olson
Jennifer Park
Tiffani Penson
Elana Pirtle-Guiney
Dan Ryan (incumbent)
Sam Sachs
Bob Simril
Laura Streib
Jonathan Tasini
Liz Taylor
Nat West
Nabil Zaghloul
District 3 (D3) - Central/Southeast
Matthew (Matt) Anderson
Sandeep Bali
Melodie Beirwagen
Rex Burkholder
Christopher Brummer
Brian Conley
Jesse Cornett
Daniel DeMelo
Chris Flanary
Theo Hathaway Saner
Patrick Hilton
Kelly Janes (KJ)
Philippe Knab
Kenneth (Kent) R Landgraver III
Tiffany Koyama Lane
Angelita Morillo
Steve Novick
David O’Connor
Cristal Azul Otero
Terry Parker
Heart Free Pham
Jaclyn Smith-Moore
Jonathan (Jon) Walker
Kezia Wanner
Luke Zak
District 4 (D4) - West
Joseph (Joe) Alfone
Eli Arnold
Bob Callahan
Patrick Cashman
Olivia Clark
Raquel Coyote
Mike DiNapoli
Kelly Doyle
Brandon Farley
Lisa Freeman
John Goldsmith
Kevin Goldsmith
Mitch Green
Chris Henry
Ben Hufford
Chad Lykins
Chloe Mason
Tony Morse
Lee Odell
Stanley Penkin
Moses Ross
Sarah Silkie
Ciatta Thompson
Michael Trimble
Andra Vltavín
Bob Weinstein
Eric Zimmerman
Candidates for Portland Auditor:
Simone Rede (incumbent)
